DJ Basin Crude Oil Flammability Analysis

Transcription

1 DJ Basin Crude Oil Flammability Analysis

2 Background Alignment of the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Required evaluation of chemical hazards

3 Background North Dakota Industrial Commission crude oil stabilization requirements Prior to shipment by rail, crude oil must be stabilized (volatile components removed) to a Total Vapor Pressure less than 13.7 psia

4 Background EPA/CDPHE Fugitive Emission Regulations Elimination of fugitive emissions from tanks caused an increase in flammable/toxic vapors present in tanks resulting in worker exposure and increased vapor fires (OSHA Hazard Alert)

5 Crude Flammability Study 3 producers -BBC -Great Western Oil & Gas -PDC Energy 16 crude oil samples from 12 production facilities 4 corresponding tank headspace and crude oil true vapor pressure (TVP) sample locations Study area 78 miles x 84 miles 1S to 12N and 61W to 68W Mid-2011 to mid-2014 first production Niobrara and Codell horizontals 5

6 Approximate Sample Locations 6

7 Crude Flammability Study Boiling point by ASTM D2887 Flammability (flash point) by ASTM D93 Headspace volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by EPA TO-15 TVP by ASTM D6377 7

8 FP and BP Sample Results 15 samples had flash point below 50 deg F 1 sample had flash point below 70 deg F Wide variability in boiling points 20% BP ºF No correlations based on geography, formation, or age of well 8

9 TVP Sample Results All four samples had TVP below 13.7 psia threshold recently established by NDIC for Bakken crude Samples ranged from 6.04 to psia No correlation to 20% BP, however a correlation between age of well and TVP was observed Older wells had lower true vapor pressures 9

10 VOC Sample Results VOC concentrations in tanks exceeded OSHA PELs but did not exceed IDLH concentrations Wide variability head space vapor composition No apparent correlations to boiling point, age of well, or geographic location 10

11 Crude Classification Results indicate crude is: Class IB flammable liquid (NFPA 30)* Class 3 flammable liquid (DOT - 49 CFR ) Flammable liquid (OSHA - 29 CFR (a)(19)) Crude oil tanks should be labeled with NFPA 704 label (aka NFPA diamond) flammability rating of 3 Crude oil meets requirements of NDIC Order No oil conditioning order * Per Section of NFPA 30 the 20% boiling point of the distillation analysis is used for characterization 11

12 Data Analysis

13 Data Analysis Bill Barrett Corporation, Great Western Oil and Gas and PDC each contributed samples to the study Identifying data masked to provide confidentiality Well name not provided Location limited to Township and Range Spud date limited to quarter and year 13

14 Results Summary Boiling Point Sample ID Flash Point Initial Boiling Point 5% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 95% Full Boiling Point 1 < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < < NOTES: All temperatures are in degrees Fahrenheit < - less than 14

15 Boiling Point Analysis

16 Results Summary - TVP Sample ID TVP 100ºF) 20% BP (ºF) Spud Date Q Q & Q & Q

17 Results Summary - VOCs Compound Unit Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 & 4 Site 5 & 6 IDLH 10% LEL Methylene Chloride ppm ,000 13,000 Hexane ppm , ,000 1,100 Benzene ppm ,000 1,200 Cyclohexane ppm ,000 1,300 Heptane ppm 1, ,000 1,050 Toluene ppm ,000 1,100 Chlorobenzene ppm ,400 1,300 Ethyl benzene ppm , m,p-xylene ppm , o-xylene ppm , ,2,4-Trimethylbenzene ppm NL NL Propane ppm ,000 2,100 Isobutane ppm NL NL Cyclopropane ppm NL NL Butane ppm ,000 1,900 Butane, 2-methyl- ppm NL NL Pentane ppm ,000 1,500 Pentane, 2-methyl- ppm NL NL Pentane, 3-methyl- ppm NL NL Cyclobutane, methyl- ppm NL NL Cyclopentane, methyl- ppm NL NL Cyclopentane, 1,2,3-trimethyl- ppm NL NL Hexane, 2-methyl- ppm NL NL Hexane, 3-methyl- ppm NL NL Hexane 2,5-dimethyl- ppm NL NL Heptane, 2-methyl- ppm NL NL Heptane, 3-methyl- ppm NL NL Cyclohexane, methyl- ppm ,000 1,200 Cyclohexane, 1,2-dimethyl- ppm NL NL Cylcohexane, 1,3-dimethyl-, trans- ppm NL NL Octane ppm ,000 1,000 NOTES: ppm = parts per million -- = not detected IDLH = immediately dangerous to life and health LEL = lower explosive limit NL = not listed 17

18 Results Summary - LEL Mixture LEL ranges from ppm to ppm Average LEL = ppm Methane LEL = ppm

19 Boiling Point Analysis

20 Boiling Point Analysis

21 Boiling Point Analysis

22 Head Space Composition Tank Head Space VOC Composition 2,500 Site 1 2,000 Site 2 Concentration (ppm) 1,500 1,000 Site 3 & 4 Site 5 &