Uinta Basin Air Quality StudyUinta Basin Air Quality StudyKathleen SgammaKathleen Sgamma

Topics CoveredTopics Covered

BackgroundBackground PurposePurpose TimelinesTimelines Project DetailsProject Details WRAP Phase III Oil & Gas Emissions WRAP Phase III Oil & Gas Emissions

InventoryInventory SummarySummary

BackgroundBackground

The Uinta Basin is one of several basins in The Uinta Basin is one of several basins in the Intermountain West experiencing the Intermountain West experiencing increased oil and gas activityincreased oil and gas activity

Concerns arising about the potential Concerns arising about the potential cumulative air quality impactscumulative air quality impacts

Industry initiated a proactive study to Industry initiated a proactive study to inventory and model emissions in the Basin.inventory and model emissions in the Basin.

Uinta Basin Air Quality StudyUinta Basin Air Quality Study

PurposePurpose– To create a comprehensive technical study of air quality To create a comprehensive technical study of air quality

in the Uinta Basin, including the cumulative impacts of in the Uinta Basin, including the cumulative impacts of oil and gas developmentoil and gas development

– Provide a management tool to the DAQ and BLMProvide a management tool to the DAQ and BLM

UBAQS will follow procedures similar to a NEPA-UBAQS will follow procedures similar to a NEPA-related far-field analysisrelated far-field analysis– Modeling protocolModeling protocol– Air quality, visibility and deposition assessment at Class Air quality, visibility and deposition assessment at Class

I and II areas.I and II areas.

UBAQS ScheduleUBAQS Schedule

Task 1: Kick-Off Meeting (December 7, 2007)Task 1: Kick-Off Meeting (December 7, 2007) Task 2: Modeling ProtocolTask 2: Modeling Protocol

– First draft January 21, 2008First draft January 21, 2008– Second draft and Response-to-Comments March 17, 2008Second draft and Response-to-Comments March 17, 2008

Task 3: Interested Government Agencies Meetings Task 3: Interested Government Agencies Meetings January 24 and March 26, 2008January 24 and March 26, 2008

Task 4: Emissions ModelingTask 4: Emissions Modeling– Fast Track Uinta Base Phase III O&G - CompleteFast Track Uinta Base Phase III O&G - Complete

Task 5: Meteorological Data (2002, 2005 and 2006)Task 5: Meteorological Data (2002, 2005 and 2006) Task 6: Air Quality Modeling (CMAQ)Task 6: Air Quality Modeling (CMAQ) Task 7: Final Report and Meeting (September 2008)Task 7: Final Report and Meeting (September 2008)

UBAQS Key ComponentsUBAQS Key Components Comprehensive modeling of all sourcesComprehensive modeling of all sources

– Oil and gasOil and gas– On- and off-road vehiclesOn- and off-road vehicles– BiogenicBiogenic– Boundary conditionsBoundary conditions– Meteorological dataMeteorological data

Integration of WRAP Phase III dataIntegration of WRAP Phase III data Complements future monitoringComplements future monitoring Input from key stakeholdersInput from key stakeholders

– BLMBLM - State of Utah- State of Utah– EPAEPA - Tribe- Tribe– Forest ServiceForest Service - Industry- Industry

UBAQS Key ComponentsUBAQS Key Components CMAQ Photochemical ModelingCMAQ Photochemical Modeling Model RunsModel Runs

– 2002, 2005, and 2006 to establish the baseline2002, 2005, and 2006 to establish the baseline– Reasonable Foreseeable DevelopmentReasonable Foreseeable Development– Project oil and gas for 2012Project oil and gas for 2012– Model other emissions sourcesModel other emissions sources

Using emissions from Continental Divide Using emissions from Continental Divide EIS for SW Wyoming boundary conditions.EIS for SW Wyoming boundary conditions.

WRAP Phase III InventoryWRAP Phase III Inventory Collaboration of IPAMS and the Western Collaboration of IPAMS and the Western

Regional Air PartnershipRegional Air Partnership Comprehensive inventory of sources from oil Comprehensive inventory of sources from oil

and gas exploration and production activitiesand gas exploration and production activities Builds on Phases I and IIBuilds on Phases I and II Identifies and characterizes differences Identifies and characterizes differences

between regional basinsbetween regional basins Refines future growth projectionsRefines future growth projections Provides a mechanism for future updatesProvides a mechanism for future updates

Modeling Details Emissions will be developed for six scenarios:Emissions will be developed for six scenarios:

– Run 1: Current Year actual emissions for 2002, 2005 and Run 1: Current Year actual emissions for 2002, 2005 and 2006 used in CMAQ model evaluation 2006 used in CMAQ model evaluation

– Run 2: 2006 Present Conditions used as baselineRun 2: 2006 Present Conditions used as baseline– Run 3: 2006 Baseline (Run 2) plus all NEPA projects in Run 3: 2006 Baseline (Run 2) plus all NEPA projects in

progress for which emission inventories have been progress for which emission inventories have been developeddeveloped

– Run 3a: Run 3 with all new (post 2006) Uinta Run 3a: Run 3 with all new (post 2006) Uinta Basin O&G development emissions eliminatedBasin O&G development emissions eliminated

– Run 4: 2012 projected emissions extrapolate NEPA actions, Run 4: 2012 projected emissions extrapolate NEPA actions, oil and gas development, tar sands development, etc.oil and gas development, tar sands development, etc.

– Run 4a: Run 4 with all new (post 2006) Uinta Basin Run 4a: Run 4 with all new (post 2006) Uinta Basin O&G development emissions eliminatedO&G development emissions eliminated

Emission Inventory SourcesEmission Inventory Sources in Phase III Study in Phase III Study

Complete source inventories for all Complete source inventories for all exploration & production activities for the base exploration & production activities for the base year (2006) and two future years.year (2006) and two future years.

Five criteria pollutants – NOx, SOx, PM, VOC, Five criteria pollutants – NOx, SOx, PM, VOC, and COand CO

Annual reporting mechanismAnnual reporting mechanism

Basins in Phase III StudyBasins in Phase III Study Denver-JulesburgDenver-Julesburg UintaUinta San JuanSan Juan PiceancePiceance Green RiverGreen River Powder RiverPowder River ParadoxParadox WillistonWilliston Wind RiverWind River Big HornBig Horn Great PlainsGreat Plains

County Definition of BasinsCounty Definition of Basins

Whole county Whole county definition of basins – definition of basins – Uintah, Duchesne, Uintah, Duchesne, Emery, Grand, CarbonEmery, Grand, Carbon

Inventory data at the Inventory data at the basin-, tribal- and basin-, tribal- and county-levelcounty-level

SummarySummary

Provide accurate, credible scientific data Provide accurate, credible scientific data Proactively address regional air quality Proactively address regional air quality

issuesissues Update the data annuallyUpdate the data annually Provide a basis for long-term planningProvide a basis for long-term planning