The amended New Source Performance Standard (NSPS), 40 CFR 60 Subpart OOOO, for Crude Oil and Natural Gas Production, Transmission and Distribution industry that became effective on December 31, 2014, finalized the amendments and correction of technical errors that EPA previously proposed on July 17, 2014.  This final amendment addresses the following updates:

a)      Details additional requirements on the handling of gas and liquids during well completion activities including the separation of “flowback” into two distinct stages “initial flowback” and “separation flowback stage”;

b)      Clarifies requirements for storage tanks especially the requirements for determining the potential emissions and the requirements for those storage tanks placed into or returning to service;

c)      Provides the definition for low-pressure wells;

d)      Clarifies requirements for leak detection at natural gas processing plants;

e)      Updates requirements for reciprocating compressors; and

f)       Revises the definition of “responsible official” and changes the term to “certifying official.”

A fact sheet that provides a summary of the changes and the finalized rule can be found at the following websites:

EPA Fact Sheet for Final Updates and Clarifications for Requirements for Well Completions, Storage Tanks and Natural Gas Processing Plants

EPA Finalized Updates to the Oil and Natural Gas Sector NSPS (40 CFR 60 Subpart OOOO)

In addition, you can read more about the current federal oil and natural gas air pollution standards and policies at the following website:

http://www.epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/