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Leak Detection and Repair

Natural gas Compression stations: Components must be inspected using approved instrument monitoring in accordance with the following schedule: must begin approved inspection method within 90 days after Jan. 1, 2015 for natural gas compressor stations with VOC emissions greater than zero but less than or equal to 50 tons per year and within 30 days after Jan. 1, 2015 for natural gas compressor stations with VOC emissions greater than 50 tons per year. Any instrument monitoring method approved by the Division must be capable of detecting leaks. If an operator elects to use Division approved monitoring, the Division may approve an inspection and reporting program for such operations.

Operators of well production facilities constructed on or after Oct. 15, 2014 must identify leaks from components no sooner than 15 days and no later than 30 days after the facility commences operation.

If the component is unsafe, difficult, or inaccessible to monitor, the operator is not required to monitor the component until it becomes feasible to do so.

Only leaks detected using one of the methods described below must be repaired: At facilities constructed before May 1, 2014, a leak is any concentration of hydrocarbon above 2,000 ppm (parts per million) not associated with normal operations, where a leak is defined as any concentration of hydrocarbon above 500 ppm not associated with normal operations. At facilities constructed on or after May 1, 2014, a leak is any concentration of hydrocarbon above 500 ppm not associated with normal operations. A leak is any detectable emissions not associated with normal operations. Leak identification requiring repair will be established as set forth in the Division's approval. First attempt to repair must be made no later than five working days after discovery unless circumstances prohibit, then must be made within 15 days of cause for delay ceases to exist. Operator of each facility subject to the leak detection and repair requirements must maintain records for two years and make them available to the Division upon request. Operator of each facility subject to leak detection and repair requirements must submit a single annual report on or before May 31st of each year.

Venting and/or Flaring

Operators of storage tanks must route all emissions to air pollution control equipment and must operate without venting emissions from the pressure relief device during normal operations, unless venting is reasonably required for maintenance or safety.

Vents from any flash separator must reduce uncontrolled emissions of VOCs by at least 90% through the use of a condenser or air pollution control equipment. The vents must reduce uncontrolled emissions by at least 95% on a rolling 12-month basis through the use of a condenser or air pollution control equipment. If a combustion device is used, it shall have a design destruction efficiency of at least 98% except when the combustion device has been authorized prior to May 1, 2014, and a building unit or designated outside activity area is not located within 1,320 feet of the facility. Operators must use best management practices to minimize emissions and the need for well venting associated with well maintenance, unless venting is necessary for safety.