Uintah Basin 2012 Winter Ozone Study Governor’s Energy Summit 2/15/2012 Brock LeBaron Randy Martin
Jan 21, 2015
Uintah Basin 2012 Winter Ozone Study
Governor’s Energy Summit2/15/2012
Brock LeBaron
Randy Martin
Ozone Health Effects
• Airway irritation, coughing, and pain when taking a deep breath
• Aggravation of asthma and respiratory illnesses• Permanent lung damage with repeated
exposures
Formulation of the Federal Health Standard
• 75 parts per billion (but subject to change)
• “Smooth’s” the effect of extreme events
• Protects "sensitive" populations – Asthmatics – Children– Elderly
Ozone Formed in the Atmosphere
Ozone formation in the troposphere requires both NOx and VOCs
NOx + VOC + Sunlight = O3
Gas and Oil Production 1984 - 2010
* Division of Oil, Gas and Mining
Oil Production 1984 - 2010(1000 barrels)
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
18,000
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
UnitahDuchesne
Natural Gas Production 1984 - 2010(million cubic feet)
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
UnitahDuchesne
1984 2010
Natural Gas
Oil
UintahDuchesne
5-Day Episode – Ouray Site 2011Non-regulatory Data
Peak ozone value twice the federal standard
USU/EDL Special Monitoring StudyWinter 2010/2011
• Ozone 1-hour at 3 pm Feb 16, 2011• Basin-wide O3
EDL 2011 O3 study report
What is the Cause of High Wintertime O3?
• We don’t know yet, but …• Relatively few emission source types• Occurs during stable meteorology (physiography +
inversion = capped bowl)• Associated with snow cover (enhanced photolysis rates,
snow chemistry?)• WY seeing similar winter O3 values• Cooperative study of O3 formation chemistry this winter
This Winter’s Ozone Study
Purpose: to understand how ozone is formed in the Basin during wintertime inversion conditions. Identify the chemical pathways that are unique to the Basin’s winter situation.
Uintah Basin 2012 Study PlanUDEQ Oversight
• Study Team includes researchers from:• Utah State University/Energy Dynamics Lab• NOAA ‐ Chemical Sciences and Global Monitoring Divisions• University of Colorado • Utah Dept of Environmental Quality
• Funding:• Uintah Impact Mitigation Special Service District• Western Energy Alliance• BLM Utah State Office• EPA Region 8• In‐kind contributions from NOAA and Utah DEQ
* Largest air quality study ever conducted in Utah
Study Team
Study Components
• Two Long‐term Trends Sites ‐USU/EDL/UDEQ
• Distributed Monitoring Study ‐ USU/EDL • Chemical Processes Study ‐ NOAA• Mobile Platform Studies ‐ NOAA• Vertical Profile Study ‐ CU• Emissions Inventory and Activity Data ‐
EDL
Study Period
• Routine ambient monitoring data to be collected throughout winter 2011‐2012
• Special research studies to be focused on February 2012.
Monitor Locations
14
Horse Pool Super Site
15 Jim Roberts
Horse Pool Super Site
16
Horse Pool Super Site
17
Regulatory Authority
0.0
10,000.0
20,000.0
30,000.0
40,000.0
50,000.0
60,000.0
70,000.0
80,000.0
Nox VOC CO SOx PM10
Tons
/Yea
r
Non-TribalTribal
Tribal vs State Oil/Gas Emissions
* WRAP 2006 Oil/Gas EI - mobile not included
Summary
• Recognition of an air quality problem• Proactive approach to finding a solution• Cooperative, voluntary effort• Mitigation will be science based • Jurisdictional issues to address
Website: www.airquality.utah.gov Click on Uintah Basin Air Quality and Energy Development
Questions?
andy Martin