More Related Content Similar to Peace River AER Inquiry 2014 - Baytex Study Summary (20) More from Chemistry Matters Inc. (20) Peace River AER Inquiry 2014 - Baytex Study Summary1. Baytex Reno Field
Emission Studies and Ambient Air
Sampling Program
Court Sandau, PhD, PChem
Presented at Alberta Energy Regulator Peace River Public
Inquiry (Proceeding 1769924) on January 22, 2014
1
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2. Historical Overview
• Odour complaints from local residents
around Baytex Reno field
• Some spot VOC samples acquired and
field monitoring stations began in 2012
• Continuous ambient air monitoring on
residential property
• Field visit in November 2012
• Further investigation deemed
warranted
2 © 2015
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3. Designing Investigation
• Odour issues are recognized as
complex projects
– Both scientifically and socially
• Project involves multiple
components (measurements
and modeling)
3
Propyl Acetate
Butyl Acetate
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4. Baytex Reno Investigation
• Ambient air sampling (Chemistry
Matters Inc.)
– concentrations for residents and
regulators to compare to guidelines
• Tank sampling (Clearstone
Engineering Ltd.)
– what could potentially be emitted
– establish an emissions inventory
• Air modeling (RWDI Air Inc.)
– using tank and ambient data to model
emissions
– monitoring meteorological data
4© 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
5. Objectives of Clearstone Study
• Assessment of emissions from Baytex Reno Field
• Measurements made at 10 leases
• Emission sources:
• Lift pump engine flue
• Compressor engine flue
• Tank heater flue
• Tank vents
• Flares
• Techniques - Flow measurements and emission source
sampling:
• VOCs – canister samples
• Semi-volatiles – PUF samples
5
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6. Clearstone Sampling
• VOCs (97) and RSCs (31) by canister,
analyzed by AITF
• PAHs analyzed by PUF, analyzed by AITF
6
VOCs
(128)
Semi-volatiles
(40)
Casing gas 5
Lift pump engine flue 1 1
Compressor engine flue 1 2
Tank heater flue 1
Tank vent to
atmosphere
12 3
Tank vent to flare 2
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7. Clearstone Study Findings
• Identified upset condition at lease 9-21,
high GOR (gas to oil ratio)
• Well shut in by Baytex until repaired
• Site was also sampled during ambient air
sampling program in the ‘upset’ condition
• Calculated site-specific combustion
efficiencies and residual emissions.
• Produced inventory of source-specific
emission for each point source and location
for use in modeling
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8. RWDI Air Modeling
• RWDI AIR Inc. completed air dispersion modelling
of the emissions
• Air dispersion modelling was completed using the
CALPUFF dispersion model to predict maximum
concentrations in a 20 km by 20 km study domain
centred on the Project
• Used Clearstone Study results as model input
• Emissions of 28 chemicals (plus odour) were
evaluated
• Maximum off site concentrations were predicted for
normal operating conditions
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9. RWDI Air Modeling
Results
•Maximum modelled concentrations were
comparable or higher than maximum
measured concentrations from ambient air
measurements for five of the nine chemicals
that were detected
•The modelled concentrations were all below
the applicable AAAQOs
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10. Overview of Ambient Sampling
• Established design of sampling – what,
where and how
• Completed in conjunction with RWDI
modeling activities and Clearstone
emission sampling
– Tank sampling at same locations as ambient
sampling
• Screened chemistry results against:
– human health risk based guidelines
– odour based guidelines
• Reported results
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11. Designing Ambient Air Program
• What to measure?
• Where to sample (distance from source)?
– Wind speed and direction a large factor
• How to collect sample?
• How long to collect a sample for?
11 © 2015
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12. • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (25)
– benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene and xylenes
(BTEX) included
• Reduced sulfur compounds (RSCs) (10)
– Includes hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
These compounds are all related to potential
oil and gas emissions
– Many can contribute to odour
– RSCs have significant offensive odours
• PAHs exist in crude oil but are also formed
during combustion (75)
– can fingerprint potential sources
– anticipated to not be an issue but still monitored
due to perceived toxicity and relevance
Analytes selected
12
What?
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13. Oil Field Additives Potential for
Odour
13
• Baytex uses additives that break emulsions
in the tanks, allowing the oil, sand, water
and gas to separate
• Chemistry Matters reviewed all Material
Safety Data Sheets for the additives
• Some chemicals added are common
constituents in oil
• Other chemicals were generally polymers
in a hydrocarbon or water mixture, with
very low volatility and very low chance of
contributing to odours
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Chemistry Matters Inc.
14. Reduced Sulfur Compounds
(RSCs)
ALS Laboratories Canister Method reference EPA TO-15 Mod.
hydrogen sulphide carbon disulphide n-butyl-mercaptan
14
What?
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15. Volatile Organic Compounds
VOCs
ALS Laboratories Canister Method reference EPA TO-15A - chlorinated
VOCs on the full TO-15 list are omitted because they are not associated with
crude oil and associated gases.
cyclohexane toluene propylene
15
What?
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16. Parent PAHs
AXYS Method MLA-021 Rev 10 Ver 05
16
What?
naphthalene phenanthrene dibenzothiophene
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19. • Distances downwind from tanks:
– allow for good compound detection rates at
50 m
– 150 m downwind is a viable distance for
roads or private property from the tanks or
compressors
Sampling distances
Alberta Environment (2008) Air Quality Monitoring In the
Vicinity of Heavy Oil Cold Flow Tanks Near Bonnyville Final
Report, (http://environment.gov.ab.ca/info/library/8335.pdf)
• Used Alberta Environment
(2008) as general reference
for sampling distance
19
Where?
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20. Sampling Summary
20
Where?
Analysis Sample Location Tally QC samples
VOCs (25)
50m upwind,
50m downwind,
150m downwind, 50m
downwind (4hr)
40 (10 sites)
1x triplicate
Spot 2
RSCs
(10)
50m upwind,
50m downwind
10 (5 sites) 1x triplicate
PAHs (75) N, S, E, W 16 (4 sites) 1x duplicate
• Local residents were notified of the sampling event and
many were contacted personally during the event
• Offered to take samples 24/7 during the sampling event
• No samples were taken
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21. Summa Canister Sampling
(VOCs and RSCs)
• Collected in specially cleaned and prepared
Summa canisters
• The valves were calibrated to allow ambient air
to flow at a set rate (1 hour and 4 hour)
– 1 hr average ambient air samples can be directly compared
to AAAQO values for regulated chemicals
– 4 hr average ambient air samples allow longer averaging
time for sample collection (can be converted to 1 hour or 24
hour for comparison)
• Both sampling times are useful for comparison with
RWDI’s model for the region
• Methods used in field sampling are industry
standardized methodologies for sample collection
21
How?
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22. Summa Canister Field Sampling
Procedure
• Evaluate wind direction
• Take distance measurements (50 m away
from tanks – upwind and down wind)
• Log locations with handheld GPS
• Attach Summa canister to tripod ~1.2 to
1.4 m above ground surface
• Open Summa canister upwind of body-
avoid walking upwind after opening
• Move downwind and repeat procedure
22
How?
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23. VOC Sampling Summary
Lease 9-21
• Site sampling
schematic for
lease 9-21
• Windrose shows
wind direction
(from) as well as
speed
• Pictures taken to
document
sampling event
23 © 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
24. Field Procedures
• Documented sampling events demonstrates
sample continuity/integrity
• Provides required evidence of sampling
conditions
– For example, thief hatches were open during sampling
24
How?
Triplicate RSC sampling at 8-214-hr and 1-hr sampling at 5-32
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26. PAH Sampling
• Contacted lead researchers at
Environment Canada to
confirm similar methodology
used as oil sands monitoring
• High volume air samples
collected over 24 hour period
• Sampling included normal site
activity (e.g. truck traffic)
• 4 leases selected for
sampling
• 4 sampling locations on each
lease
naphthalene phenanthrene benzo(a)pyrene
26
How?
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27. PAH Sampling
• Documented sampling events
with photos
• Trail cameras set up to monitor
truck traffic during 24 hour period
of sampling
– Able to determine time for
loading (over 1 hour)
• Visited and refueled generators
once during 24 hour
• Average of 380 m3
of air sampled
with each
27
How?
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Chemistry Matters Inc.
28. PAH Sampling Summary
Lease 13-14
• Site sampling
schematic of 13-14
• Shows 4 sampling
points
(representing
North, South, East,
West)
28
How?
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29. Guidelines / Objectives /
Screening Levels
• AAAQO – Alberta Ambient Air Quality
Objectives
– Human health based or odour based
objectives
– Conservative derivation to protect most
sensitive population groups
29AAAQO (http://environment.alberta.ca/0994.html) © 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
30. Guidelines / Objectives /
Screening Levels
• TCEQ ESL – Texas Commission for
Environmental Quality Effect Screening
Levels
– AESRD go-to list for reference
– Toxicology and risk-based screening
concentrations
– If exceeded, health effects are not expected
but a more detailed evaluation is
recommended
30 © 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
31. Reduced Sulfur Compounds
• 10 RSCs were analyzed at 5 sites (at 2 locations – up
and down wind)
• One detection of hydrogen sulfide (16 ppb) observed
above guideline (10 ppb)
– Detected upwind location on-lease near site infrastructure
• All samples presented no other detection of RSCs
• Thus, no indication of RSCs in relation to activities on
sites
31 © 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
32. Maximum VOC concentrations
all sites
• Only carbon disulphide was above guideline (in
one sample)
• 40 samples taken from 9 locations (1 location
twice)
• One exceedance of CS2
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33. CS2 Exceedance
• 4 hr sample exceeded 1 hr guideline
(once converted to 1 hr equivalent)
• Exceedance of odour based guideline
(not health based)
• Location of exceedance was lease 9-
21
• Clearstone determined that 9-21 was
in ‘upset’ condition, excessive GOR
• Well was shut in by Baytex until
remedied
33
35. Calm Conditions Noted During
Sampling Program
Low wind speeds were measured during
sampling
35 © 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
36. Samples Representative of Odourous
Events
• Closer to tanks than homes, only 50 m
away
• Low wind conditions during sampling
periods
• Field team smelled odours during
sampling program
• Took spot samples when particularly
odourous
36© 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
37. Spot Sample Comparisons
• Spot sampling presented similar concentrations as
1 hr samples, indicating minimal wind mixing
37© 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
38. Clearstone Tank Sampling
• Sampled all emission sources
– Tank vents
– Tank heaters
– Flares
– Lift pumps
– Compressors
38 © 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
39. Clearstone Tank Sampling -
PAHs
• All samples present only one type of pattern
– Pattern is only naphthalenes. No other PAHs.
0.00E+00
5.00E-05
1.00E-04
1.50E-04
2.00E-04
2.50E-04
3.00E-04
3.50E-04
4.00E-04
Naphthalene
C2-Naphthalene
C4-Naphthalene
Acenaphthylene
AcenaphtheneFluorene
C2-Fluorene
C4-Fluorene
Phenanthrene/Anthracene
C2-Phenanthrene/anthracene
C4-Phenanthrene/anthracene
C1-Dibenzothiophene
C3-Dibenzothiophene
C1-Fluoranthene/pyrene
C3-Fluoranthene/pyrene
C1-Chrysene
C3-Chrysene
Benzo[b,j,k]fluoranthene
Dibenzo[ah]anthracene
Concentraon(g/m3)
Casingand Solu on GasMixVented
39 © 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
40. Ambient Air Samples for PAHs
• Established at 4 coordinates:
– North
– South
– East
– West
• Sampled an average of 380 m3
during 24
hour period
40 © 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
41. Ambient Air Samples for PAHs
At each site:
•3 samples of low concentration
•1 sample of higher concentration
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42. Ambient Air Samples for PAHs
Low concentration PAH samples
42 © 2015
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43. Low concentration samples
All lower concentration samples present same pattern
- Comparable with site emission sources
Mainly naphthalenes, few other PAHs
43 © 2015
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45. Higher concentration samples
All higher concentration samples present same
pattern
•All show vehicle combustion sources, diesel truck
exhaust
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Chemistry Matters Inc.
46. Ambient Air Samples for PAHs
4 tanker trucks
2 tanker trucks
4 tanker trucks
1 tanker trucks
PAH concentration in higher concentration samples
indicative of volume of tankers on site during
sampling period
46 © 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
47. Ambient Air Samples for PAHs
• Common theme for all four locations
• At each location:
– Three samples present a common pattern
with low concentration
• Comparable with Clearstone samples.
– One sample presents a different pattern with
a higher concentration
• Presents a pattern for vehicular emissions
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48. Ambient Air Samples for PAHs
• PAH concentrations were well below
guideline at all 4 locations (16 samples)
• Extra layer conservatism as particulates
were included in PAH measurement
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Chemistry Matters Inc.
49. PAH Concentrations in Air 50 m from
Tanks Compared to Other Locations
*
*
*
* Naphthalene (the most abundant PAH) not included in PAH
data, so these values represent underestimates
Athabasca data from: Schuster J.K, Harner T, Su K, Eng A, Zhang L, Charland JP, Ambient Air monitoring for PACs in the
Athabasca Oil Sands Region for source and deposition assessment, presented at SETAC, 2013 Nashville.
City data from: Clean Air Strategy Alliance, www.casadata.org, last accessed 21 Jan, 2014. © 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
50. Oil Sands – Environment Canada
Monitoring
Images from: Schuster J.K, Harner T, Su K, Eng A, Zhang L, Charland JP, Ambient Air monitoring for PACs in the
Athabasca Oil Sands Region for source and deposition assessment, presented at SETAC, 2013 Nashville.
© 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
51. B[a]P TPE comparison with
other locations
• PAH concentrations compare favorably with
other locations in Alberta
• Note that samples are 50 m away from tanks
51
Data Source
http://www.casadata.org/
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Chemistry Matters Inc.
52. Summary
• One detection of hydrogen sulfide (16 ppb)
– Above 10 ppb odour based guideline
• No other RSCs detected
• One exceedence of odour based guideline
for carbon disulfide
– Determined post sampling that it was a sample
from an upset condition, high GOR
– Represents worse case event
• All other VOCs below odour and health
based guidelines
52 © 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
53. Summary
• PAHs concentrations are well below
guidelines
• A low concentration of PAHs in general is
comparable with Clearstone tank samples
• A vehicle emission PAH source provides
additional contributions
53 © 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
54. Truck Traffic During Sampling
Program
Number of loads during ambient air sampling is
consistent with periods before and after sampling
54 © 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
56. Conclusions
• Easy to say that the data collected is
flawed as residents are smelling
something but data shows nothing is
wrong
– Samples collected close to source (conservative)
on calm days (little dilution/dispersion) at locations
where odours were perceived by field staff
– Industry standardized sampling procedures were
used in the collection of samples
– Extra precautions taken to ensure samples
collected and preserved prior to analysis at
laboratory
– Samples analyzed at industry leading accredited
laboratories that have reporting limits (and
detection limits) that meet or exceed the regulatory
requirements (i.e. below guidelines)
56 © 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
57. Conclusions
• The ambient air study demonstrated
that measured concentrations of
analytes were below applicable
guidelines (odour and health based)
– Samples were conservatively acquired 50 m away
from tanks, providing worst case scenario for
potential concentrations to compare to human
health based guidelines
57 © 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
58. Thank you for your attention.
58 © 2015
Chemistry Matters Inc.
59. Contact Info:
Chemistry Matters Inc.
Court Sandau
Cell: 1.403.669.8566
Email: csandau@chemistry-matters.com
URL: chemistry-matters.com
Twitter: @Chem_Matters
Slideshare: www.slideshare.net/csandau
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Editor's Notes - Human noses are very sensitive