Management of fugitive emissions at upstream oil and gas facilities : best management practice

The challenges facing the upstream oil and gas industry (UOG) in terms of fugitive emissions management were discussed. The purpose of this document was to provide practical guidance to operators for developing focused approaches to manage and reduce fugitive emissions at individual oil and gas facilities, while giving consideration to each facility's specific circumstances. This best management practices (BMP) document identified the typical key sources of fugitive emissions at UOG facilities and presented strategies for achieving cost-effective reductions in these emissions. The document also summarized key considerations and constraints. Although the BMP is specific to fugitive equipment leaks, it also considered leakage directly to the atmosphere and unintentional gas carry-through to storage tanks as well as emerging technologies that have the potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of leak detection. The document presented the basic control strategy and discussed inspection, monitoring and record-keeping as well as corporate commitment. The basic control strategy is based on technology and standards; and management systems such as leak definition, leak detection, leak quantification, target components, monitoring frequency, leak repairs, personnel training, and primary calibrations and field checks. 3 refs., 10 tabs., 2 figs., 7 appendices