Document daeoQrNZbbBE0djzxmeYomvYB
Enerplus - Various Well Sites Partial Compliance Evaluation (PCE) On-Site Clean Air Act (CAA) Inspections
Inspection Date:
June 12 - 15, 2023
Inspection Report Date:
July 24,2023
EPA Representatives:
Alexis North, Katelyn Bergl, Youn Joo Kim
Tribal Representatives:
Dwight Bruce, Jr Talon Two Crow
Company Representatives:
None onsite during inspections.
Inspection Report Prepared By: Inspection Report Reviewed By: Applicable Rules:
Alexis North
Katelyn Bergl, Youn Joo Kim, Scott Patefield
SCOTT PATEFIELD
Digitally signed by SCOTT PATEFIELD Date: 2023.08.14 13:05:53 -06'00'
Federal Implementation Plan for Oil and Natural Gas Well Production Facilities; Fort Berthold Indian Reservation (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation), North Dakota (Fort Berthold FIP)
Compliance Assistance None
Part 60, Subpart OOOOa- Standards of Performance for Crude Oil and Natural Gas Facilities for which Construction, Modification or Reconstruction Commenced After September 18, 2015 (OOOOa)
Enforcement History Consent Agreement Final Order on August 13, 2020, Docket No. CAA-08-2020-0008.
Areas of Concern
1. The EPA detected visible smoke using Method 22 at the following well pads: Enerplus- Igneous Pad Enerplus- Oklahoma Pad Enerplus- Cats Pad Enerplus- Ducks & Hans Pad Enerplus- Spiders Pad
2. The EPA detected unburned hydrocarbon (UBHC) emissions from operating utility flares at the following well pads: Enerplus- Metals East Enerplus- Igneous Pad Enerplus- Metamorphic Pad Enerplus- Oklahoma Pad Enerplus- Windom Pad
Page 1 of 8
Enerplus- Ducks & Hans Pad
See Table 1 below for more details regarding inspected locations and Tables 2 & 3 for inspection details for all pads.
General Source Information Unannounced well site inspections were conducted jointly by U.S. EPA and Fort Berthold Indian Reservation (FBIR) Tribal inspectors (inspectors) on June 12-15, 2023, at multiple Enerplus facilities located on the FBIR.
The EPA evaluated each Enerplus well site listed in Table 1 using audio, visual, and olfactory (AVO) inspection methods including the use of an optical gas imaging (OGI) camera and EPA Reference Method 22. At each facility, inspectors scanned the crude and/or water storage tanks, closed vent system and flares onsite for any detectable emissions. Specifically, inspectors scanned storage tank covers and closed vent systems for hydrocarbon emissions to determine compliance with the regulations listed below.
EPA's geospatial mapping of air pollution (GMAP) van also collected data using OGI and air sampling equipment at Enerplus facilities from June 12-15, 2023. Data collected and observations made by GMAP EPA personnel are also included in this inspection report, where relevant and when available.
Table 1 lists well pad specifics for each inspection including latitude/longitude location as well as time of entry. The well information located in the tables below is from the North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) well index located online at https://www.dmr.nd.gov/oilgas/.
Table 1: List of Facilities Inspected June 12-15, 2023
Pad Name
Latitude Longitude
Baker/Biron Pad- Baker 29-31H, 2034H, Biron 20-24H Cactus Pad- Ocotillo, Wooly Torch, Sauaro, Desert rose, Euphorbia, Cacuts, Rebutia Spiders- Huntsman, Blackwidow, Spider, Cobweb, Tarantula, Trapdoor, Orbweaver, Recluse Metals East- Nickel, Lead, Titanium, Tungsten, Cobalt, Steel, Zinc, Platinum Igneous- Scoria, Basalt, Andesite, Granite, Gabbro, Ryolite, Diorite, Pumice Metamorphic- Argillite, Slate, Mylonite, Hornfels, Amphibolite Oklahoma- FB 148-94-36D-25-2H, 148-94-36D-25-11H, 147-94-1A-122H, 148-94-36D-25-10H, 149-94-1a12-12h, 147-94-1A-12-11H Ethan Hall- Ethan Hall 6B-31-30-1H, 6B-7-1H, Dance Hall, Town Hall,
47.70375 -102.482
47.68783 -102.421
47.67499 -102.484
47.55936 -102.529
47.557581 47.55843
-102.544247 -102.549
47.58675 -102.636
47.5877
-102.582
Page 2 of 8
Inspection Date
6/13/2023 6/13/2023 6/13/2023 6/14/2023 6/14/2023 6/14/2023
6/14/2023 6/14/2023
Time In
8:04 11:38 12:44 12:05 12:23 12:40
13:04 13:18
Anna G Baker 6B-30-2H-TF, 6B-72HTF Cats- Persian, Siamese, Tabby, Manx, Bengal, Calico Windom- FB 148-94-36C-25-4H, 14894-36C-25-5H, 148-94-36C-25-6H, 148-94-36C-25-7H, 148-94-36C-258H, 147-94-1B-12-4H, 147-94-1B-125H, 147-94-1B-12-6H, 147-94-1B-127H, 147-94-1B-12-8H, 147-94-1B-1213H Ducks & Hans- Muscovy 148-93-20A29H-TF, Daffy 148-93-20A-29H, Mallard 148-93-20B-29H-Tf, Canvasback 148-93-20B-29H, Dewey 148-93-20B-29H-TF, Scrooge 148-9320B-29H-TF, Hans 20-+21H Furbearer East Pad- Badger, Bobcat, Coyote, Fox, Mink, Muskrat, Prairie Dog, Racoon James Pad- FB James 150-94-3A106B, 7T, T2, 9B, 10T, 11B
Bugs Pad- Beetle, Lady Bug, Wasp
47.58638
47.58987
47.63088 47.84872 47.84635 47.82309
-102.572
-102.6
-102.561 -102.716 -102.699 -102.683
6/14/2023 13:33
6/14/2023 14:10
6/14/2023 14:54
6/15/2023
6/15/2023 6/15/2023
10:00
10:28 11:26
Tables 2 and 3 at the end of this report include the inspections details. Table 2 includes well head counts and storage tank details. Table 3 contains control device and AVO observations. Each well pad inspection followed the approach below:
1. Park on the well pad. 2. Make notations on the site operation including the number of each major type of site process equipment present (e.g., total number of storage tanks, number of oil tanks, number of water tanks, number of tank emission control devices). 3. Note any AVO indications of emissions from the storage tanks closed vent system and control devices. 4. Survey the site operations in infrared modes (auto, manual, and/or high-sensitivity modes), looking for emissions escaping the storage tank closed vent system, and control devices. 5. Observe control devices (enclosed combustor or utility flare) for visible emissions.
Fort Berthold FIP Applicability Based on drilling information reported to the NDIC well index by Enerplus the facilities listed in Table 1 were completed after the August 12, 2007, applicability date (per 40 C.F.R. 49.4161) and are producing from the Bakken Pool (per 40 C.F.R. 49.4163(a)(1)) and are thus subject to the Fort Berthold FIP.
Closed Vent System Equipment Requirements [49.4165(b)] Per 49.4165(b)(1), "Each closed-vent system must route all produced natural gas and natural gas emissions from production and storage operations to the natural gas sales pipeline or the control devices...". The EPA, using an OGI camera, did not detect natural gas emissions from production and storage tanks at the fourteen well pads evaluated.
Page 3 of 8
Utility Flare Requirements [49.4165(c)] Per 49.4165(c)(6)(vi), "The owner or operators must ensure that each enclosed combustor and utility flare is maintained in a leak-free condition." The EPA, using an OGI camera, did not detect emissions at the fourteen well pads evaluated.
Per 49.4165(c)(6)(vii), "The owner or operator must ensure that each enclosed combustor and utility flare is operated with no visible smoke emissions." Per 49.4166(g)(3) and EPA Reference Method 22, the EPA noted black smoke emissions at five out of fourteen well pads evaluated. See Area of Concern #1 above.
Per 49.4165(c)(1), "For each enclosed combustor or utility flare, the owner or operator must follow the manufacturer's written operating instructions, procedures and maintenance schedule to ensure good air pollution control practices for minimizing emissions." The EPA noted UBHC emissions indicating poor air pollution control practices from lit flares at six out of fourteen well pads evaluated. See Area of Concern #2 above.
NSPS OOOOa Applicability Based on Enerplus's NSPS OOOOa annual reporting, nine of the fourteen oil and natural gas production facilities identified in Table 1 are subject to requirements for storage vessel affected facilities in NSPS OOOOa:
x Cactus x Spiders x Metals East x Igneous x Metamorphic x Oklahoma x Cats x Windom x Ducks & Hans
Closed Vent System Equipment Requirements [60.5411a(c)] Per 60.5411a(c)(1), owners and operators must "Design the closed vent system to route all gases, vapors, and fumes emitted from the material in the storage vessel to a control device that meets the requirements specified in 60.5412(c) and (d), or to a process." The EPA observed no emissions from the closed vent systems at nine facilities listed above.
Control Device Requirements [60.5412a(d)] Per 60.5412a(d)(1)(iii), owners and operators must, "Operate the combustion control device with no visible emissions, except for periods not to exceed a total of 1 minute during any 15-minute period." The EPA observed black smoke continuously for more than a minute (per Method 22) at the Igneous, Oklahoma, Cats, Ducks & Hans, and Spider well pads. See Area of Concern #1 above.
Page 4 of 8
Table 2: Inspection Details: Well Head Count and Storage Tanks
Pad Name
# Well Heads # Total Storage Tank Emissions Observations
(WH)
Tanks
Baker/Biron Pad- Baker 29-31H, 20-34H, Biron 20-
24H
3
Cactus Pad- Ocotillo, Wooly Torch, Sauaro, Desert
rose, Euphorbia, Cactus, Rebutia
7
Spiders- Huntsman, Blackwidow, Spider, Cobweb,
Tarantula, Trapdoor, Orbweaver, Recluse
6
Metals East- Nickel, Lead, Titanium, Tungsten,
Cobalt, Steel, Zinc, Platinum
6
Igneous- Scoria, Basalt, Andesite, Granite, Gabbro,
Ryolite, Diorite, Pumice
9
Metamorphic- Argillite, Slate, Mylonite, Hornfels,
Amphibolite
5
Oklahoma- FB 148-94-36D-25-2H, 148-94-36D-25-
11H, 147-94-1A-12-2H, 148-94-36D-25-10H, 149-
94-1a-12-12h, 147-94-1A-12-11H
6
Ethan Hall- Ethan Hall 6B-31-30-1H, 6B-7-1H,
Dance Hall, Town Hall, Anna G Baker 6B-30-2H-
TF, 6B-7-2HTF
6
Cats- Persian, Siamese, Tabby, Manx, Bengal,
Calico
6
Windom- FB 148-94-36C-25-4H, 148-94-36C-25-
5H, 148-94-36C-25-6H, 148-94-36C-25-7H, 148-
94-36C-25-8H, 147-94-1B-12-4H, 147-94-1B-12-
5H, 147-94-1B-12-6H, 147-94-1B-12-7H, 147-94-
1B-12-8H, 147-94-1B-12-13H
11
Ducks & Hans- Muscovy 148-93-20A-29H-TF,
Daffy 148-93-20A-29H, Mallard 148-93-20B-29H-
Tf, Canvasback 148-93-20B-29H, Dewey 148-93-
20B-29H-TF, Scrooge 148-93-20B-29H-TF, Hans
20-+21H
7
Furbearer East Pad- Badger, Bobcat, Coyote, Fox,
Mink, Muskrat, Prairie Dog, Racoon
14
12 5 8 10 16 7
16
18
GMAP Observed leaking HC
10
from the "Persian" well
15
10
28 Page 5 of 8
No emissions
File ID
James Pad- FB James 150-94-3A10-6B, 7T, T2, 9B,
10T, 11B
8
12
No emissions
Bugs Pad- Beetle, Lady Bug, Wasp
3
6
No emissions
Page 6 of 8
Table 3: Inspection Details: Control Devices and AVO
Pad Name
Baker/Biron Pad- Baker 29-31H, 2034H, Biron 20-24H Cactus Pad- Ocotillo, Wooly Torch, Sauaro, Desert rose, Euphorbia, Cacuts, Rebutia
Combustion Device (CD) Type
1 air assisted steffes
3 air assisted hi/lo steffes
Visible flame CD? Yes
Yes
Spiders- Huntsman, Blackwidow, Spider, Cobweb, Tarantula, Trapdoor, Orbweaver, Recluse Metals East- Nickel, Lead, Titanium, Tungsten, Cobalt, Steel, Zinc, Platinum
3 HP steffes
Yes
1-hP 3-pronged flare
1-hi/lo air assisted flare Yes
Igneous- Scoria, Basalt, Andesite, Granite, Gabbro, Ryolite, Diorite, Pumice
1-hP 3-pronged flare 1-hi/lo air assisted flare Yes
Metamorphic- Argillite, Slate, Mylonite, 1-hP 3-pronged flare
Hornfels, Amphibolite
1-hP air assisted flare Yes
Oklahoma- FB 148-94-36D-25-2H, 148-
94-36D-25-11H, 147-94-1A-12-2H,
148-94-36D-25-10H, 149-94-1a-12-12h, 1 hi/lo air assisted
147-94-1A-12-11H
Steffes
Yes
Ethan Hall- Ethan Hall 6B-31-30-1H,
6B-7-1H, Dance Hall, Town Hall, Anna 3 hi/lo air assisted
G Baker 6B-30-2H-TF, 6B-7-2HTF
Steffes flares
Yes
AVO and/or IR Observations
Continuous flaring was observed. Continuous flaring and intermittent black smoke observed from all three flares Single pronged HP steffes flares were continuously flaring with continuous black smoke. Observed a trailing plume of UBHC from both flares. Observed a trailing plume of UBHC and continuous black smoke for >1 minute per Method 22 from the hi/lo air assisted flare. Inspectors also smelled a strong, intermittent smell of hydrocarbon. 1.UBHC observed from lit prong on the 3-pronged flare. 2. Continuous trailing plume of UBHC observed from hP air assisted flare. Observed a moderate trailing plume of UBHC and continuous black smoke for >1 minute per Method 22 from the hi/lo air assisted flare. The flame zone was observed to be 1500 degrees.
File ID
MOV_0210 MOV_0212
1. MOV_0214 2. MOV_0215 MOV_0218
Smoke from CD? Yes Yes
Yes
Yes
Page 7 of 8
Cats- Persian, Siamese, Tabby, Manx, 2 hP air assisted Steffes
Bengal, Calico
flares
Yes
Windom- FB 148-94-36C-25-4H, 148-
94-36C-25-5H, 148-94-36C-25-6H,
148-94-36C-25-7H, 148-94-36C-25-8H,
147-94-1B-12-4H, 147-94-1B-12-5H,
147-94-1B-12-6H, 147-94-1B-12-7H, 1-lP air assisted flare
147-94-1B-12-8H, 147-94-1B-12-13H 1-hi/lo air assisted flare Yes
Ducks & Hans- Muscovy 148-93-20A-
29H-TF, Daffy 148-93-20A-29H,
Mallard 148-93-20B-29H-Tf,
Canvasback 148-93-20B-29H, Dewey
148-93-20B-29H-TF, Scrooge 148-93- 1-hP air assisted flare
20B-29H-TF, Hans 20-+21H
1-hi/lo air assisted flare Yes
Furbearer East Pad- Badger, Bobcat, Coyote, Fox, Mink, Muskrat, Prairie Dog, Racoon James Pad- FB James 150-94-3A10-6B, 7T, T2, 9B, 10T, 11B
Bugs Pad- Beetle, Lady Bug, Wasp
3 flares, 2 flares, 3 flares Yes
1 air assisted steffes, 1
tall steffes
Yes
1- double hi/lo steffes 1-
three pronged steffes
Yes
At the 1-pronged flare,
continuous black smoke for >1
minute per Method 22 was
observed.
Yes
MOV_0224
Continuous trailing plume of
UBHC observed from hi/lo air
assisted flare.
MOV_0226
Continuous trailing plume of
UBHC and black smoke for >1
minute per Method 22
observed from hP air assisted
flare.
Yes
IR_3312,
DC_3313,
IR_3314,
IR_3318
DC_3319
IR_3321,
DC_3322
IR_3335,
Flames present
DC_3336
Page 8 of 8