Oil and Gas Production And Air Pollution
Air pollutants are emitted from a variety of sources throughout the oil and gas development process. Some of the sources of oil and gas production air pollution are:
Blowouts
Condensate tanks
Construction activity
Dehydrators
Engines
Flaring
Fugitive emissions
Pits
Vehicles
Venting
Condensate tanks
Some natural gas wells produce a semi-liquid condensate along with the gas. Condensates are hydrocarbons that are in a gaseous state within the reservoir (prior to production), but become liquid during the production process. Condensates are composed of hydrocarbons, as well as aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylenes and ethylbenzene (BTEX). Condensates may give off a characteristic hydrocarbon or petroleum-type smell and BTEX gives off a sweet, aromatic odor. Most people can smell benzene when it reaches levels of approximately 1.5 - 5 parts of benzene per million parts of air (ppm). At levels above 150 ppm some people may begin to experience serious and irreversible health effects. The vapors of benzene, toluene and xylenes are heavier than air and may accumulate in low-lying areas.Construction activity
A certain amount of construction accompanies every phase of oil and gas development (exploration, field organization, production and site abandonment). Each requires disturbing the soil to some degree through the use of construction machinery. These activities generate particulate matter and stir up dust. If the right pollutants are disturbed they may react to form smog.Dehydrators
If the gas wells use glycol dehydrators to remove water from the gas, the dehydrator may release aromatic organic chemicals to the atmosphere. If the natural gas undergoing dehydration contains benzene, toluene, or other volatile organic compounds, significant quantities of these compounds can be released when the glycol solution undergoes regeneration.
Engines
Drilling, completion and workover trucks, rigs and equipment such as pumps typically run off of diesel-powered or gasoline engines. The exhaust fumes from gasoline and diesel fuels can produce emissions can be noticeable to people living downwind. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are found in exhaust from motor vehicles and other gasoline and diesel engines. A long list of other air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, BTEX, formaldehyde and metals are also contained in diesel fuel combustion products.Flaring
This is the practice of burning gas that is deemed uneconomical to collect and sell. Flaring is also used to burn gases that would otherwise present a safety problem. It is common to flare natural gas that contains hydrogen sulfide (i.e., sour gas), in order to convert the highly toxic hydrogen sulfide gas into less toxic compounds. Flares emit a host of air pollutants, depending on the chemical composition of the gas being burned and the efficiency and temperature of the flare. Flaring results in hydrogen sulfide emissions if hydrogen sulfide is present in large enough amounts in the natural gas. There may also be additional by-products formed if some of the chemicals used during the drilling or hydraulic fracturing process are converted to a gaseous form and are burned along with the natural gas. It has been estimated that the following hazardous air pollutants may be released from natural gas flares: benzene, formaldehyde, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs, including naphthalene), acetaldehyde, acrolein, propylene, toluene, xylenes, ethyl benzene and hexane. Researchers in Canada have measured more than 60 air pollutants downwind of natural gas flares.The State of Alaska maintains a yearly report on gas flaring, go to: doa.alaska.gov/ogc/annual/2004/2004_Gas_Disposition_Final.pdf.
Fugitive Emissions
Fugitive emissions are unintentional leaks of gases. This may occur from breaks or small cracks in seals, tubing, valves or pipelines, as well when lids or caps on equipment or tanks have not been properly closed or tightened. When natural gas escapes via fugitive emissions, methane as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and any other contaminants in the gas (e.g., hydrogen sulfide) are released to the atmosphere.
Earthen Pits
Earthen pits are often used to store or evaporate produced water and waste water from natural gas dehydration or oil/gas separation units. Additionally, prior to disposal drilling wastes (muds and cements) and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) wastes are often stored in earthen or metal pits that are open to the air. There many different chemicals that may be used during drilling, fracking and workover procedures, including acids, biocides, surfactants, solvents, lubricants and others. Chemical compounds that are naturally present in natural gas, or chemicals that have been injected downhole during drilling, hydraulic fracturing or well workover operations, will be present in the water or wastes that are held in pits. Some of the lighter or more volatile chemicals and compounds, such as benzene, toluene, hydrogen sulfide, etc., will escape from the produced water pits into the atmosphere. These chemicals may then be transported through the air. The odors associated with the natural gases or chemicals will vary, depending on the concentrations, volumes, and combinations of chemicals released.
Vehicles
The biggest pollutant from motor vehicle traffic at oil and gas operations is dust which is particulate matter both PM10 and PM2.5. Burning fuel to power trucks also emits NOx, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, as well as particulate matter. These compounds combine with VOCs to form smog.
Venting
Venting is the release of gas to the atmosphere. Venting occurs at a number of points in the oil and gas development process (well completion; well maintenance; pipeline maintenance; tank maintenance; etc.). During oil and gas development, huge quantities of gas may vented to the atmosphere. For example, during well completion, after a well is drilled and stimulated (e.g., hydraulically fractured), the wellbore and surrounding formation must be cleaned out. The solids and fluids from the well go into pits, while the gases are allowed to escape into the atmosphere, or they are burned off (flared). It has been estimated that a single well can emit 115 tons of VOCs, and 4 tons of hazardous air pollutants such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and hexanes. If the gas is flared, rather than vented, the emissions of VOCs and HAPs are reduced to 29 and 1 ton, respectively; but flaring of completion gases also results in the release more than a ton of nitrogen oxides, and almost half a ton of carbon monoxide per well.
The primary component of natural gas is methane, which is odorless when it comes directly out of the gas well. At gas processing facilities, chemical odorants such as mercaptans are added to methane, so that consumers are able to smell it in the event of a gas leak. In addition to methane, natural gas typically contains other hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, butane, and pentanes. Raw natural gas may also contain water vapor, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, and other compounds. In some cases,however, there may be a slight hydrocarbon odor associated with venting of natural gas. If the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the gas is high enough, there may also be a "rotten egg" odor associated with the gas.
With natural gas transport, compressor stations emit a variety of ozone-forming compounds, as well as other air pollutants. According to data a single natural gas processing plant has the potential to release nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds equal to the emissions from 43,000 cars.
Transportation of oil and gas from Alaska is done in several ways. It is transported by tank vessels include ships, articulated tug and barge units, and conventional tug and barges. Ships and articulated barges can range in size from 20,000 DWT to 50,000 DWT.
Health Effects of Oil and Gas Production
Oil and natural gas production facilities emit pollutants such as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), criteria pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOC). These pollutants can contribute to health problems that may affect facility employees and the community. Federal, state, local and Tribal regulations attempt to limit the amount of emissions from oil and natural gas production facilities, dangerous releases of HAPs can occur if an oil and natural gas production facility does not operate in compliance with regulations.
Some of the pollutants and the health effects are:
- Benzene - Exposure to benzene may cause irritation of the skin, eyes and upper respiratory tract. It may cause blisters on the skin. Exposure to benzene over a long period of time may cause blood disorders, reproductive and developmental disorders, and cancer.
- Toluene - Exposure to toluene over a long time may cause nervous system effects, irritation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, dizziness, headaches, difficulty with sleep and birth defects.
- Ethylbenzene - Short-term exposure may cause throat and eye irritation, chest constriction and dizziness. Long-term exposure may cause blood disorders.
- Xylenes - Short-term exposure to high levels of mixed xylenes may cause Irritation of the nose and throat, nausea, vomiting, gastric irritation, mild transient eye irritation and neurological effects. Long-term exposure to high levels of xylene may impact the nervous system.
- N-Hexane - Short-term exposure to hexane can cause dizziness, giddiness, slight nausea, and a headache. Long-term exposure to hexane can cause numbness in extremities, muscular weakness, blurred vision, headaches and fatigue.
- Volitale Organic Compounds - VOC is released during the production of oil and natural gas. The chemicals in VOC can form smog which can cause breathing difficulties, especially with those who are young, elderly or have existing respiratory problems such as asthma.
For More Information
EPA Oil and Gas Production Website
http://www.epa.gov/airprogm/oar/community/details/oil-gas.html
Record of Decision Sets Stage for Major Lease Sale in
National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska BLM-July 16, 2008
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/newsroom/2008/July/NR_07_15_2008.html
Maps to Parcels available for lease
http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/energy/oil_gas/npra/npra_leasing/08_leasesale_factsheet.html
Alaska Organizations Working on Oil, Natural Gas and Coal bed Methane
Alaska Center for the Environment, Anchorage
Phone: 907-574-3647
http://www.akcenter.org/
Cook Inlet Keeper, Homer
Phone: 907-235-4068
http://www.inletkeeper.org/
Denali Citizens Council, Denali Park
Phone: 907-683-2593
http://www.denalicitizens.org/
Friends of Mat-Su, Palmer
Phone: 907-746-0130
http://foms.net/
Northern Alaska Environmental Center, Fairbanks
Phone: 907-452-5021
http://www.northern.org/artman/publish/coalBed.shtml
Earthen Pits
Earthen pits are often used to store or evaporate produced water and waste water from natural gas dehydration or oil/gas separation units. Additionally, prior to disposal drilling wastes (muds and cements) and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) wastes are often stored in earthen or metal pits that are open to the air. There many different chemicals that may be used during drilling, fracking and workover procedures, including acids, biocides, surfactants, solvents, lubricants and others. Chemical compounds that are naturally present in natural gas, or chemicals that have been injected downhole during drilling, hydraulic fracturing or well workover operations, will be present in the water or wastes that are held in pits. Some of the lighter or more volatile chemicals and compounds, such as benzene, toluene, hydrogen sulfide, etc., will escape from the produced water pits into the atmosphere. These chemicals may then be transported through the air. The odors associated with the natural gases or chemicals will vary, depending on the concentrations, volumes, and combinations of chemicals released.
Vehicles
The biggest pollutant from motor vehicle traffic at oil and gas operations is dust which is particulate matter both PM10 and PM2.5. Burning fuel to power trucks also emits NOx, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, as well as particulate matter. These compounds combine with VOCs to form smog.
Venting
Venting is the release of gas to the atmosphere. Venting occurs at a number of points in the oil and gas development process (well completion; well maintenance; pipeline maintenance; tank maintenance; etc.). During oil and gas development, huge quantities of gas may vented to the atmosphere. For example, during well completion, after a well is drilled and stimulated (e.g., hydraulically fractured), the wellbore and surrounding formation must be cleaned out. The solids and fluids from the well go into pits, while the gases are allowed to escape into the atmosphere, or they are burned off (flared). It has been estimated that a single well can emit 115 tons of VOCs, and 4 tons of hazardous air pollutants such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and hexanes. If the gas is flared, rather than vented, the emissions of VOCs and HAPs are reduced to 29 and 1 ton, respectively; but flaring of completion gases also results in the release more than a ton of nitrogen oxides, and almost half a ton of carbon monoxide per well.
The primary component of natural gas is methane, which is odorless when it comes directly out of the gas well. At gas processing facilities, chemical odorants such as mercaptans are added to methane, so that consumers are able to smell it in the event of a gas leak. In addition to methane, natural gas typically contains other hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, butane, and pentanes. Raw natural gas may also contain water vapor, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, and other compounds. In some cases,however, there may be a slight hydrocarbon odor associated with venting of natural gas. If the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the gas is high enough, there may also be a "rotten egg" odor associated with the gas.
With natural gas transport, compressor stations emit a variety of ozone-forming compounds, as well as other air pollutants. According to data a single natural gas processing plant has the potential to release nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds equal to the emissions from 43,000 cars.
Transportation of oil and gas from Alaska is done in several ways. It is transported by tank vessels include ships, articulated tug and barge units, and conventional tug and barges. Ships and articulated barges can range in size from 20,000 DWT to 50,000 DWT.
Health Effects of Oil and Gas Production
Oil and natural gas production facilities emit pollutants such as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), criteria pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOC). These pollutants can contribute to health problems that may affect facility employees and the community. Federal, state, local and Tribal regulations attempt to limit the amount of emissions from oil and natural gas production facilities, dangerous releases of HAPs can occur if an oil and natural gas production facility does not operate in compliance with regulations.
Some of the pollutants and the health effects are:
- Benzene - Exposure to benzene may cause irritation of the skin, eyes and upper respiratory tract. It may cause blisters on the skin. Exposure to benzene over a long period of time may cause blood disorders, reproductive and developmental disorders, and cancer.
- Toluene - Exposure to toluene over a long time may cause nervous system effects, irritation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, dizziness, headaches, difficulty with sleep and birth defects.
- Ethylbenzene - Short-term exposure may cause throat and eye irritation, chest constriction and dizziness. Long-term exposure may cause blood disorders.
- Xylenes - Short-term exposure to high levels of mixed xylenes may cause Irritation of the nose and throat, nausea, vomiting, gastric irritation, mild transient eye irritation and neurological effects. Long-term exposure to high levels of xylene may impact the nervous system.
- N-Hexane - Short-term exposure to hexane can cause dizziness, giddiness, slight nausea, and a headache. Long-term exposure to hexane can cause numbness in extremities, muscular weakness, blurred vision, headaches and fatigue.
- Volitale Organic Compounds - VOC is released during the production of oil and natural gas. The chemicals in VOC can form smog which can cause breathing difficulties, especially with those who are young, elderly or have existing respiratory problems such as asthma.
For More Information
EPA Oil and Gas Production Website
http://www.epa.gov/airprogm/oar/community/details/oil-gas.html
Record of Decision Sets Stage for Major Lease Sale in
National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska BLM-July 16, 2008
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/newsroom/2008/July/NR_07_15_2008.html
Maps to Parcels available for lease
http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/energy/oil_gas/npra/npra_leasing/08_leasesale_factsheet.html
Alaska Organizations Working on Oil, Natural Gas and Coal bed Methane
Alaska Center for the Environment, Anchorage
Phone: 907-574-3647
http://www.akcenter.org/
Cook Inlet Keeper, Homer
Phone: 907-235-4068
http://www.inletkeeper.org/
Denali Citizens Council, Denali Park
Phone: 907-683-2593
http://www.denalicitizens.org/
Friends of Mat-Su, Palmer
Phone: 907-746-0130
http://foms.net/
Northern Alaska Environmental Center, Fairbanks
Phone: 907-452-5021
http://www.northern.org/artman/publish/coalBed.shtml
Vehicles
The biggest pollutant from motor vehicle traffic at oil and gas operations is dust which is particulate matter both PM10 and PM2.5. Burning fuel to power trucks also emits NOx, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, as well as particulate matter. These compounds combine with VOCs to form smog.
Venting
Venting is the release of gas to the atmosphere. Venting occurs at a number of points in the oil and gas development process (well completion; well maintenance; pipeline maintenance; tank maintenance; etc.). During oil and gas development, huge quantities of gas may vented to the atmosphere. For example, during well completion, after a well is drilled and stimulated (e.g., hydraulically fractured), the wellbore and surrounding formation must be cleaned out. The solids and fluids from the well go into pits, while the gases are allowed to escape into the atmosphere, or they are burned off (flared). It has been estimated that a single well can emit 115 tons of VOCs, and 4 tons of hazardous air pollutants such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and hexanes. If the gas is flared, rather than vented, the emissions of VOCs and HAPs are reduced to 29 and 1 ton, respectively; but flaring of completion gases also results in the release more than a ton of nitrogen oxides, and almost half a ton of carbon monoxide per well.
The primary component of natural gas is methane, which is odorless when it comes directly out of the gas well. At gas processing facilities, chemical odorants such as mercaptans are added to methane, so that consumers are able to smell it in the event of a gas leak. In addition to methane, natural gas typically contains other hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, butane, and pentanes. Raw natural gas may also contain water vapor, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, and other compounds. In some cases,however, there may be a slight hydrocarbon odor associated with venting of natural gas. If the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the gas is high enough, there may also be a "rotten egg" odor associated with the gas.
With natural gas transport, compressor stations emit a variety of ozone-forming compounds, as well as other air pollutants. According to data a single natural gas processing plant has the potential to release nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds equal to the emissions from 43,000 cars.
Transportation of oil and gas from Alaska is done in several ways. It is transported by tank vessels include ships, articulated tug and barge units, and conventional tug and barges. Ships and articulated barges can range in size from 20,000 DWT to 50,000 DWT.
Health Effects of Oil and Gas Production
Oil and natural gas production facilities emit pollutants such as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), criteria pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOC). These pollutants can contribute to health problems that may affect facility employees and the community. Federal, state, local and Tribal regulations attempt to limit the amount of emissions from oil and natural gas production facilities, dangerous releases of HAPs can occur if an oil and natural gas production facility does not operate in compliance with regulations.
Some of the pollutants and the health effects are:
- Benzene - Exposure to benzene may cause irritation of the skin, eyes and upper respiratory tract. It may cause blisters on the skin. Exposure to benzene over a long period of time may cause blood disorders, reproductive and developmental disorders, and cancer.
- Toluene - Exposure to toluene over a long time may cause nervous system effects, irritation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, dizziness, headaches, difficulty with sleep and birth defects.
- Ethylbenzene - Short-term exposure may cause throat and eye irritation, chest constriction and dizziness. Long-term exposure may cause blood disorders.
- Xylenes - Short-term exposure to high levels of mixed xylenes may cause Irritation of the nose and throat, nausea, vomiting, gastric irritation, mild transient eye irritation and neurological effects. Long-term exposure to high levels of xylene may impact the nervous system.
- N-Hexane - Short-term exposure to hexane can cause dizziness, giddiness, slight nausea, and a headache. Long-term exposure to hexane can cause numbness in extremities, muscular weakness, blurred vision, headaches and fatigue.
- Volitale Organic Compounds - VOC is released during the production of oil and natural gas. The chemicals in VOC can form smog which can cause breathing difficulties, especially with those who are young, elderly or have existing respiratory problems such as asthma.
For More Information
EPA Oil and Gas Production Website
http://www.epa.gov/airprogm/oar/community/details/oil-gas.html
Record of Decision Sets Stage for Major Lease Sale in
National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska BLM-July 16, 2008
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/newsroom/2008/July/NR_07_15_2008.html
Maps to Parcels available for lease
http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/energy/oil_gas/npra/npra_leasing/08_leasesale_factsheet.html
Alaska Organizations Working on Oil, Natural Gas and Coal bed Methane
Alaska Center for the Environment, Anchorage
Phone: 907-574-3647
http://www.akcenter.org/
Cook Inlet Keeper, Homer
Phone: 907-235-4068
http://www.inletkeeper.org/
Denali Citizens Council, Denali Park
Phone: 907-683-2593
http://www.denalicitizens.org/
Friends of Mat-Su, Palmer
Phone: 907-746-0130
http://foms.net/
Northern Alaska Environmental Center, Fairbanks
Phone: 907-452-5021
http://www.northern.org/artman/publish/coalBed.shtml
Venting
Venting is the release of gas to the atmosphere. Venting occurs at a number of points in the oil and gas development process (well completion; well maintenance; pipeline maintenance; tank maintenance; etc.). During oil and gas development, huge quantities of gas may vented to the atmosphere. For example, during well completion, after a well is drilled and stimulated (e.g., hydraulically fractured), the wellbore and surrounding formation must be cleaned out. The solids and fluids from the well go into pits, while the gases are allowed to escape into the atmosphere, or they are burned off (flared). It has been estimated that a single well can emit 115 tons of VOCs, and 4 tons of hazardous air pollutants such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and hexanes. If the gas is flared, rather than vented, the emissions of VOCs and HAPs are reduced to 29 and 1 ton, respectively; but flaring of completion gases also results in the release more than a ton of nitrogen oxides, and almost half a ton of carbon monoxide per well.
The primary component of natural gas is methane, which is odorless when it comes directly out of the gas well. At gas processing facilities, chemical odorants such as mercaptans are added to methane, so that consumers are able to smell it in the event of a gas leak. In addition to methane, natural gas typically contains other hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, butane, and pentanes. Raw natural gas may also contain water vapor, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, and other compounds. In some cases,however, there may be a slight hydrocarbon odor associated with venting of natural gas. If the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the gas is high enough, there may also be a "rotten egg" odor associated with the gas.
With natural gas transport, compressor stations emit a variety of ozone-forming compounds, as well as other air pollutants. According to data a single natural gas processing plant has the potential to release nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds equal to the emissions from 43,000 cars.
Transportation of oil and gas from Alaska is done in several ways. It is transported by tank vessels include ships, articulated tug and barge units, and conventional tug and barges. Ships and articulated barges can range in size from 20,000 DWT to 50,000 DWT.
Health Effects of Oil and Gas Production
Oil and natural gas production facilities emit pollutants such as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), criteria pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOC). These pollutants can contribute to health problems that may affect facility employees and the community. Federal, state, local and Tribal regulations attempt to limit the amount of emissions from oil and natural gas production facilities, dangerous releases of HAPs can occur if an oil and natural gas production facility does not operate in compliance with regulations.
Some of the pollutants and the health effects are:
- Benzene - Exposure to benzene may cause irritation of the skin, eyes and upper respiratory tract. It may cause blisters on the skin. Exposure to benzene over a long period of time may cause blood disorders, reproductive and developmental disorders, and cancer.
- Toluene - Exposure to toluene over a long time may cause nervous system effects, irritation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, dizziness, headaches, difficulty with sleep and birth defects.
- Ethylbenzene - Short-term exposure may cause throat and eye irritation, chest constriction and dizziness. Long-term exposure may cause blood disorders.
- Xylenes - Short-term exposure to high levels of mixed xylenes may cause Irritation of the nose and throat, nausea, vomiting, gastric irritation, mild transient eye irritation and neurological effects. Long-term exposure to high levels of xylene may impact the nervous system.
- N-Hexane - Short-term exposure to hexane can cause dizziness, giddiness, slight nausea, and a headache. Long-term exposure to hexane can cause numbness in extremities, muscular weakness, blurred vision, headaches and fatigue.
- Volitale Organic Compounds - VOC is released during the production of oil and natural gas. The chemicals in VOC can form smog which can cause breathing difficulties, especially with those who are young, elderly or have existing respiratory problems such as asthma.
For More Information
EPA Oil and Gas Production Website
http://www.epa.gov/airprogm/oar/community/details/oil-gas.html
Record of Decision Sets Stage for Major Lease Sale in
National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska BLM-July 16, 2008
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/newsroom/2008/July/NR_07_15_2008.html
Maps to Parcels available for lease
http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/energy/oil_gas/npra/npra_leasing/08_leasesale_factsheet.html
Alaska Organizations Working on Oil, Natural Gas and Coal bed Methane
Alaska Center for the Environment, Anchorage
Phone: 907-574-3647
http://www.akcenter.org/
Cook Inlet Keeper, Homer
Phone: 907-235-4068
http://www.inletkeeper.org/
Denali Citizens Council, Denali Park
Phone: 907-683-2593
http://www.denalicitizens.org/
Friends of Mat-Su, Palmer
Phone: 907-746-0130
http://foms.net/
Northern Alaska Environmental Center, Fairbanks
Phone: 907-452-5021
http://www.northern.org/artman/publish/coalBed.shtml
The primary component of natural gas is methane, which is odorless when it comes directly out of the gas well. At gas processing facilities, chemical odorants such as mercaptans are added to methane, so that consumers are able to smell it in the event of a gas leak. In addition to methane, natural gas typically contains other hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, butane, and pentanes. Raw natural gas may also contain water vapor, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, and other compounds. In some cases,however, there may be a slight hydrocarbon odor associated with venting of natural gas. If the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the gas is high enough, there may also be a "rotten egg" odor associated with the gas.
With natural gas transport, compressor stations emit a variety of ozone-forming compounds, as well as other air pollutants. According to data a single natural gas processing plant has the potential to release nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds equal to the emissions from 43,000 cars.
Transportation of oil and gas from Alaska is done in several ways. It is transported by tank vessels include ships, articulated tug and barge units, and conventional tug and barges. Ships and articulated barges can range in size from 20,000 DWT to 50,000 DWT.
Health Effects of Oil and Gas Production
Oil and natural gas production facilities emit pollutants such as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), criteria pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOC). These pollutants can contribute to health problems that may affect facility employees and the community. Federal, state, local and Tribal regulations attempt to limit the amount of emissions from oil and natural gas production facilities, dangerous releases of HAPs can occur if an oil and natural gas production facility does not operate in compliance with regulations. Some of the pollutants and the health effects are:- Benzene - Exposure to benzene may cause irritation of the skin, eyes and upper respiratory tract. It may cause blisters on the skin. Exposure to benzene over a long period of time may cause blood disorders, reproductive and developmental disorders, and cancer.
- Toluene - Exposure to toluene over a long time may cause nervous system effects, irritation of the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, dizziness, headaches, difficulty with sleep and birth defects.
- Ethylbenzene - Short-term exposure may cause throat and eye irritation, chest constriction and dizziness. Long-term exposure may cause blood disorders.
- Xylenes - Short-term exposure to high levels of mixed xylenes may cause Irritation of the nose and throat, nausea, vomiting, gastric irritation, mild transient eye irritation and neurological effects. Long-term exposure to high levels of xylene may impact the nervous system.
- N-Hexane - Short-term exposure to hexane can cause dizziness, giddiness, slight nausea, and a headache. Long-term exposure to hexane can cause numbness in extremities, muscular weakness, blurred vision, headaches and fatigue.
- Volitale Organic Compounds - VOC is released during the production of oil and natural gas. The chemicals in VOC can form smog which can cause breathing difficulties, especially with those who are young, elderly or have existing respiratory problems such as asthma.
For More Information
EPA Oil and Gas Production Website
http://www.epa.gov/airprogm/oar/community/details/oil-gas.html
Record of Decision Sets Stage for Major Lease Sale in
National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska BLM-July 16, 2008
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/newsroom/2008/July/NR_07_15_2008.html
Maps to Parcels available for lease
http://www.blm.gov/ak/st/en/prog/energy/oil_gas/npra/npra_leasing/08_leasesale_factsheet.html
Alaska Organizations Working on Oil, Natural Gas and Coal bed Methane
Alaska Center for the Environment, Anchorage
Phone: 907-574-3647
http://www.akcenter.org/
Cook Inlet Keeper, Homer
Phone: 907-235-4068
http://www.inletkeeper.org/
Denali Citizens Council, Denali Park
Phone: 907-683-2593
http://www.denalicitizens.org/
Friends of Mat-Su, Palmer
Phone: 907-746-0130
http://foms.net/
Northern Alaska Environmental Center, Fairbanks
Phone: 907-452-5021
http://www.northern.org/artman/publish/coalBed.shtml