N.M. Code R. § 20.2.50.124

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

Section 20.2.50.124 - WELL WORKOVERS

A. Applicability: Workovers performed at oil and natural gas wells are subject to the requirements of 20.2.50.124 NMAC as of the effective date of this Part.

B.Emission standards: The owner or operator of an oil or natural gas well shall use the following best management practices during a workover to minimize emissions, consistent with the well site condition and good engineering or operational practices:

(1) reduce wellhead pressure before blowdown to minimize the volume of natural gas vented;

(2) monitor manual venting at the well until the venting is complete; and

(3) route natural gas to the sales line, if possible.

C.Monitoring requirements:

(1) The owner or operator shall monitor the following parameters during a workover:

(a) wellhead pressure;

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

(c) duration of venting to the atmosphere.

(2) The owner or operator shall calculate the estimated volume and mass of VOC vented during a workover.

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

D.Recordkeeping requirements:

(1) The owner or operator shall keep the following record for a workover:

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

(b) date the workover was performed;

(c) wellhead pressure;

(d) flow rate of the vented natural gas to the extent feasible, and if measurement of the flow rate is not feasible, the owner or operator shall use the maximum potential flow rate in the emission calculation;

(e) duration of venting to the atmosphere;

(f) description of the best management practices used to minimize release of VOC emissions before and during the workover;

(g) calculation of the estimated VOC emissions vented during the workover based on the duration, volume, and gas composition; and

(h) the method of notification to the public and proof that notification was made to the affected public.

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

E.Reporting requirements:

(1) The owner or operator shall comply with the reporting requirements in 20.2.50.112 NMAC.

(2) If it is not feasible to prevent VOC emissions from being emitted to the atmosphere from a workover event, the owner or operator shall notify by certified mail, or by other effective means of notice so long as the notification can be documented, all residents located within one-quarter mile of the well of the planned workover at least three calendar days before the workover event.

(3) If the workover is needed for routine or emergency downhole maintenance to restore production lost due to upsets or equipment malfunction, the owner or operator shall notify all residents located within one-quarter mile of the well of the planned workover at least 24 hours before the workover event.

N.M. Code R. § 20.2.50.124

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