N.M. Code R. § 20.2.50.117

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 11, June 11, 2024

Section 20.2.50.117 - NATURAL GAS WELL LIQUID UNLOADING

A.Applicability: Liquid unloading operations resulting in the venting of natural gas at natural gas wells are subject to the requirements of 20.2.50.117 NMAC. Liquid unloading operations that do not result in the venting of any natural gas are not subject to this Part. Owners and operators of a natural gas well subject to this Part must comply with the standards set forth in Paragraph (1) of Subsection B of 20.2.50.117 NMAC within two years of the effective date of this Part.

B.Emission standards:

(1) The owner or operator of a natural gas well shall implement at least one of the following best management practices during the life of the well to avoid the need for venting of natural gas associated with liquid unloading:

(a) use of a plunger lift;

(b) use of artificial lift;

(c) use of a control device;

(d) use of an automated control system; or

(e) other practices if approved by the department.

(2) The owner or operator of a natural gas well shall implement the following best management practices during venting associated with liquid unloading to minimize emissions, consistent with well site conditions and good engineering practices:

(a) reduce wellhead pressure before blowdown or venting to atmosphere;

(b) monitor manual venting associated with liquid unloading in close proximity to the well or via remote telemetry; and

(c) close vents to the atmosphere and return the well to normal production operation as soon as practicable.

C.Monitoring requirements:

(1) The owner or operator shall monitor the following parameters during venting associated with liquid unloading:

(a) wellhead pressure;

(b) flow rate of the vented natural gas (to the extent feasible); and

(c) duration of venting to the storage vessel, tank battery, or atmosphere.

(2) The owner or operator shall calculate the volume and mass of VOC emitted during a venting event associated with a liquid unloading event.

(3) The owner or operator shall comply with the monitoring requirements of 20.2.50.112 NMAC.

D.Recordkeeping requirements:

(1) The owner or operator shall keep the following records for liquid unloading:

(a) unique identification number and location (latitude and longitude) of the well;

(b) date of the unloading event;

(c) wellhead pressure;

(d) flow rate of the vented natural gas (to the extent feasible. If not feasible, the owner or operator shall use the estimated flow rate in the emission calculation);

(e) duration of venting to the storage vessel, tank battery, or atmosphere;

(f) a description of the best management practices used to minimize venting of VOC emissions during the life of the well and before and during the liquid unloading; and

(g) a calculation of the VOC emissions vented during a liquid unloading event based on the duration, calculated volume, and composition of the produced gas.

(2) The owner or operator shall comply with the recordkeeping requirements in 20.2.50.112 NMAC.

E.Reporting requirements: The owner or operator shall comply with the reporting requirements in 20.2.50.112 NMAC.

N.M. Code R. § 20.2.50.117

Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXIII, Issue 14, July 26, 2022, eff. 8/5/2022