UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

AIR, PESTICIDES & TOXICS MANAGEMENT DIVISION

61 Forsyth St., S. W.

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

FACT SHEET – June 20, 2014

ACTION: Preliminary Determination and Draft Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Air 

Permit, OCS-EPA-R4015, for Anadarko Petroleum Corporation 

(Anadarko), Eastern Gulf of Mexico Exploratory Drilling Operations

Public Notice & June 20, 2014: Publication in the Panama City News 

Comment Period: Herald, Mobile Press Register, Pensacola News Journal, The Florida 

Administrative Code and Register, emails to the OCS public notice list, 

www.regulations.gov, and the EPA Region 4’s website at: 

http://www.epa.gov/region4/air/permits/ocspermits/ocspermits.html

 

July 21, 2014: Close of Public Comment Period. If a public hearing is held, 

the public comment period will automatically be extended to the close of the 

public hearing.

Public Hearing: If there is a significant degree of public interest, a hearing will be held

July 31, 2014, from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm at:

West Florida Public Library 

239 North Spring Street

Pensacola, Florida 32502 

(850) 436-5043.

If a public hearing is held, EPA staff will be available prior to the hearing, 

from 4:00 – 5:30 pm to answer questions and provide additional information 

on this proposed action during an informal public information session. 

Project: Anadarko has applied for an OCS air permit pursuant to section 328 of the 

Clean Air Act (CAA) from EPA Region 4. The proposed air permit will 

regulate emissions from a proposed exploratory drilling operation within the 

Eastern Gulf of Mexico of the OCS. The proposed project will mobilize the 

Transocean Discoverer Spirit, up to two support vessels to transport personnel 

and supplies, and up to three support vessels for well completion. The 

proposed project will consist of three phases: the drilling phase, the well 

completion phase, and the production well maintenance phase. The operation 

will last no more than two years, and operate no more than 208 calendar days 

per year. The proposed project is for exploratory drilling only and does not 

include the establishment of any permanent production platforms.

The EPA has completed a review of Anadarko’s application in addition to all

supplemental materials provided and is proposing to issue Permit Number

OCS-EPA-R4015 to Anadarko for a two year exploratory drilling program 

subject to the terms and conditions described in the draft permit. This project is 

considered a major source under the applicable Prevention of Significant 

Deterioration (PSD) regulations 40 CFR part 52.21 and is subject to the title V 

program at 40 CFR part 71. The draft permit incorporates applicable 
requirements from the federal PSD and title V operating permit programs, 

New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), and National Emission Standards 

for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) as required by the OCS air quality 

regulations in 40 CFR part 55.

Project Location: Anadarko’s project is located on the OCS in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. The 

drilling sites are located east of longitude 87.5, west of the Military Mission 

Line (86°41’ west longitude), at least 100 miles from the Louisiana shoreline, 

and at least 125 miles from the Florida shoreline.

Authority: EPA Region 4 is the agency responsible for implementing and enforcing CAA 

requirements for OCS sources in the Gulf of Mexico east of longitude 87.5°W.

The Department of Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, is the lead 

agency for leasing and drilling approvals, as well as implementation of the 

Clean Air Act west of 87.5° longitude.

Emissions: The maximum potential annual emissions in tons per year for the drilling 

vessel and support vessels are summarized in the following table:

Potential to Emit for Regulated NSR Pollutants

Pollutant PTE (tpy) Significant Emission Rate (tpy) PSD Review Required

CO 370 100 Yes

NOx

1 1,170 40 Yes

VOC2 64.10 40 Yes

PM 33.77 25 Yes

PM10 23.48 15 Yes

PM2.5 22.86 10 Yes

SO2

3 0.76 40 No

H2SO4 0.02 7 No

Pb 0.01 0.6 No

CO2e 74,571 75,000 (subject to regulation threshold) No

1NOx is a measured pollutant for the criteria pollutants ozone and NO2 and a precursor for ozone and PM2.5.

2 VOC is a measured pollutant for the criteria pollutant ozone.

3 SO2 is a precursor for the criteria pollutant PM2.5.

A full air quality impact analysis was performed for this project. A summary 

of the results of the air quality impact analysis is available in the preliminary 

determination (see additional information below).

Control Technology: Anadarko is required to apply Best Available Control Technology (BACT) 

for emissions of NOX, CO, VOC, and PM/PM10/PM2.5. 

BACT requirements for the engines will include diesel engines equipped with

turbocharger, aftercooler, and high injection pressure, tier-certified engines 

(where applicable), and good combustion practices. The project will also use 

ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel to limit sulfur dioxide and particulate emissions. 

The main propulsion generator engines will be equipped with a Power 

Management System (PMS) and NOx concentration maintenance system. 

Additional Information: The draft permit and preliminary determination/statement of basis documents 

that explain the permit conditions are available on EPA Region 4’s website at: 

http://www.epa.gov/region4/air/permits/ocspermits/ocspermits.html
EPA Contact: For questions regarding the draft permit and public hearing, contact:

Eva Land

Air Permits Section

Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division

U.S. EPA Region 4

61 Forsyth Street, SW

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 562-8435

Email: land.eva@epa.gov

Comments on the draft permit and requests for a public hearing should be addressed to:

U.S. EPA Region 4

Air Permits Section, APTMD

61 Forsyth Street, SW

Atlanta, GA 30303

Attn: Rosa Yarbrough

Email: R4OCSpermits@epa.gov