Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
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.
