N.M. Code R. § 20.2.50.127

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

Section 20.2.50.127 - FLOWBACK VESSELS AND PREPRODUCTION OPERATIONS

A. Applicability: Wells undergoing recompletions and new wells being completed at an existing wellhead site are subject to the requirements of 20.2.50.127 NMAC one year after the effective date of this Part. New wells constructed at a new wellhead site that commence completion or recompletion on or after the effective date of this Part are subject to the requirements of 20.2.50.127 NMAC.

B.Emissions standards:

(1) The owner or operator of a well that begins flowback on or after the effective date of this Part must collect and control emissions from each flowback vessel on and after the date flowback is routed to the flowback vessel by routing emissions to an operating control device that achieves a hydrocarbon control efficiency of at least ninety-five percent. If a TO or ECD is used, it must have a design destruction efficiency of at least ninety-eight percent for hydrocarbons.

(2) The owner or operator shall ensure that a control device used to comply with the emission standards in 20.2.50.127 NMAC operates as a closed vent system that captures and routes VOC emissions to the control device, and that unburnt gas is not directly vented to the atmosphere.

(3) Flowback vessels shall be inspected, tested, and refurbished where necessary to ensure the flowback vessel is in compliance with Paragraph (2) of Subsection B of 20.2.50.127 NMAC prior to receiving flowback.

(4) The owner or operator shall use a vessel measurement system to determine the quantity of liquids in the flowback vessel(s).

(5) Thief hatches or other access points to the flowback vessel(s) must remain closed and latched during activities to determine the quantity of liquids in the flowback.

(6) Opening the thief hatch or other access point if required to inspect, test, or calibrate the vessel measurement system, or to add biocides or chemicals, is not a violation of Paragraph 2 of Subsection B of 20.2.50.127 NMAC.

C.Monitoring requirements: The owner or operator of a well with flowback that begins on or after the effective date of this Part shall conduct daily visual inspections of the flowback vessel and any associated equipment. Such inspections shall include:

(1) visual inspection of any thief hatch, pressure relief valve, or other access point to ensure that they are closed and properly seated;

(2) visual inspection or monitoring of the control device to ensure that it is operating; and

(3) visual inspection of the control device to ensure that the valves for the piping from the flowback vessel to the control device are open.

D. Recordkeeping requirements:

(1) The owner or operator of each flowback vessel subject to the emissions standards in Subsection B of 20.2.50.127 NMAC shall maintain the following records:

(a) the API number of the well and the associated facility location, including latitude and longitude coordinates;

(b) the date and time of the onset of flowback;

(c) the date and time that the flowback vessels were permanently disconnected, if applicable;

(d) the date and duration of any period where the control device was not operating; and

(e) records of the inspections required in Subsection C of 20.2.50.127 NMAC, including the following:

(i) time and date of each inspection;

(ii) a description of any problems observed;

(iii) a description of any corrective action(s) taken; and

(iv) the name and position of the person performing the corrective action(s).

(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. § 20.2.50.127

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