This ICR covers information collection requirements in the new source rule for Oil and Natural Gas Production Facilities (40 CFR part 60, subpart OOOO). The information collected will be used by EPA and delegated state and local agencies to determine the compliance status of sources subject to the rule.
On June 24, 1985 (50 FR 26122), EPA promulgated an NSPS for the Crude Oil and Natural Gas Production category which addressed VOC emissions from leaking equipment at onshore natural gas processing plants (40 CFR part 60, subpart KKK). These standards apply to the following affected facilities constructed, reconstructed/or modified after January 20, 1984, located at onshore natural gas processing plants: a compressor in Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) service or in wet gas service, and the groups of all equipment (except compressors) within a process unit. A process unit is defined as the equipment assembled for extraction of natural gas liquids from field gas, fractionation of liquids into natural gas products, or other processing of natural gas products.
The New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for Onshore Natural Gas Processing - SO2 Emissions- (0 CFR part 60, subpart LLL) were proposed on January 20, 1984, and promulgated on October 1, 1985. These standards apply to the following affected facilities located at onshore natural gas processing plants: each sweetening unit, and each sweetening unit followed by a sulfur recovery unit. Affected facilities commenced construction, modification, or reconstruction after the date of proposal. A sweetening unit is defined as a process device that separates the hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide (CO2) contents from the sour natural gas stream. The provisions of subpart LLL do not apply to sweetening facilities that produce acid gas that is completely re-injected into oil or gas bearing geologic strata or that is otherwise not released to the atmosphere. The control and monitoring requirements of subpart LLL do not apply to affected facilities with design capacities of less than two long tons per day (LT/D) of hydrogen sulfide in the acid gas, expressed as sulfur.
As part of the mandatory review of NSPS as required under the Clean Air Act, the requirements of subpart KKK and subpart LLL would be contained in a new subpart, 40 CFR 60, subpart OOOO. The existing provisions of subparts KKK/LLL will be included in the new subpart OOOO along with the new proposed provisions for the following affected facilities: gas wellheads, pneumatic controllers, centrifugal and reciprocating compressors, and storage vessels.
The oil and natural gas sector includes operations involved in the extraction and production of oil and natural gas, as well as the processing, transmission, and distribution of natural gas. The potential respondents are owners or operators of oil and gas affected facilities found throughout these industry segments. All of the oil and natural gas facilities located in the United States are owned and operated by the oil and natural gas industry (the "Affected Public"). None of the facilities in the United States are owned or operated by state, local, tribal or the Federal government. All facilities are privately, owned for-profit businesses.
We estimate an average of 500 operators will be affected by subpart OOOO. The average annual burden for the recordkeeping and reporting requirements in subpart OOOO for these owner and operators that are subject to the Oil and Natural Gas Production, and Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution NSPS is 68,906 person-hours, with an annual average cost of $2,306,573. We expect three sweetening units will each have additional capital costs for sulfur dioxide monitors of $73,000 and annual monitoring costs of $17,100, and 26 centrifugal compressors equipped with wet seals and 608 storage vessels wil have annual monitoring costs of $804 each.
US Code:
42 USC 7411
Name of Law: Clean Air Act section 111
This ICR covers information collection requirements in the new source rule for Oil and Natural Gas Production Facilities (40 CFR part 60, subpart OOOO).
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
2437ss02.docx
NSPS for Crude Oil and Natural Gas Production, Transmission, and Distribution