## Oil & Natural Gas Sector Leaks White Paper Comments

Dear EPA, I am writing this e­mail in response to the White P aper Titled “Oil & Natural Gas Sector Leaks” – Review Panel – April 2014. The Paper describes in FULL detail the use of both Method 21 screening tools and the use of the Optical Gas Imaging Camera (OGI) as the two (2) preferred methodologies for leak detection at both Oil and Natural Gas faciliti es. In the EPA 40 CFR Part 98 ; Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gas; Petroleum and Natural Gas; Final Rule of which I’ve attached and h ighlighted discusses the use of Infrared Laser Beam Illuminated Instruments along with Method 21 and Optical Gas Imaging Camera’s (OGI). However in the EPA White Paper there is only one me ntion of Infrared Laser Beam Illuminated Instruments but doesn’t really go into any detail regarding the use of such technology in this Industry Sector. Heath Consultants Incorporated has been in the fiel d of Natural Gas Leak Detection for over 80 years with over 1,100 employee’s doing leakdetection field services and manufacturing leak detection technologies every day

. We currently manufacture / distribute Method 21 scr eening tools with technologies of Flame­ionization (DP­4), Optical infrared (DP­IR) an d Catalytic / Thermal Conductivity devices like the GMI 3­500. We also distribute the Opgal EyeCGas Imaging Camera that is similar to the FLIR Optical Gas Imaging Camera. Wehnert <p.wehnert@heathus.com> Paul
Tue 6/10/2014 7:42 PM

To: OilandGas.Whitepapers <OilandGas.Whitepapers@epa.go v>;
Cc: frish@psicorp.com <frish@psicorp.com>; 'Jim Rutherf ord' <j.rutherford@heathus.com>; milt.heath3@heathu s.com <milt.heath3@heathus.com>; 'Sean Epps' <s.epps@heat hus.com>; 'Gerald V Sims' <g.sims@heathus.com>;  2 attachments EPA Subpart W Rule.pdf; rmld-is_brochure.pdf; **Page 1**  **of 3**  **Oil & Natural Gas Sector Leaks White Paper Comments**

**- OilandGas.Whitepapers** 

**8/ 26/** **2014 https://pod51045.outlook.com/owa/OilandGas.Whitepapers@epa.gov/** We also distribute the HiFlow Sampler that is menti oned in the White Paper for leak quantification. We also manufacture the **Remote Methane Leak Detector (RMLD)** that is a tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) instrum ent that in effect is the **Infrared Laser Beam Illuminated Instrument**  as referenced in the EPA Final Rule document. The instrument can detect natural gas (methane) lea kage at a distance of up to 30 meters or 100 feet from the emission source similar to that of the OGI Camera but rather than to image the leak it gives a ppm­m conc entration of the leak rate. The **RMLD** has the following unique features; ­Able to calibrate easily in the field on a daily ba sis ­Repeatable readings in sunlight, darkness and tempe rature variations ­Operates in a wide range of ambient and product (GH G) temperatures ­Intrinsically Safe ­Portable ­Easy to Operate ­Sells for approximately $20,000 or 1/5 the cost of an OGI Camera so is very affordable ­Can detect small leaks down to several “ppm­m” that the OGI Camera can’t detect ­Minimal operator training There are literally thousands (1,000’s) of these de vices in service around the World locating leaks on a daily basis at Natural Gas Utili ties as a common approved practice but this is never mentioned in the White Paper as a n alternative method to both Method 21 and OGI Camera’s although is mentioned in the EPA Final Rule. I’m not responding from a “commercial” aspect as th ere are other manufactures of **Infrared Laser Beam Illuminated Instruments** but feel these should be discussed in more detail as an option for affordable and reliabl e leak detection at Oil and Natural Gas Facilities. Please feel free to contact me at the numbers / e­m ail listed below and I appreciate your time. Take Care, Paul **Page 2**  **of 3**  **Oil & Natural Gas Sector Leaks White Paper Comments**

**- OilandGas.Whitepapers** 

**8/ 26/** **2014 https://pod51045.outlook.com/owa/OilandGas.Whitepapers@epa.gov/** Paul D. Wehnert

Senior Vice President ­ Sales & Marketing

Heath Consultants Incorporated 9030 Monroe Road Houston, Texas 77061 USA Office: 713­844­1391 Fax: 713­844­1309 Mobile: 713­208­0411 Skype: paul.wehnert p.wehnert@heathus.com www.heathus.com **Page 3**  **of 3**  **Oil & Natural Gas Sector Leaks White Paper Comments**

**- OilandGas.Whitepapers** 

**8/ 26/** **2014 https://pod51045.outlook.com/owa/OilandGas.Whitepapers@epa.gov/**