UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

AIR, PESTICIDES & TOXICS MANAGEMENT DIVISION

61 Forsyth St., S. W.

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

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

Permits, OCS-EPA-R4019 and OCS-EPA-R4020, for Anadarko 

Petroleum Corporation (Anadarko), Eastern Gulf of Mexico Exploratory 

Drilling Operations

Public Notice & November 14, 2014: Publication in the Florida Administrative

Comment Period: 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

 

December 15, 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

December 18, 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 actions during an informal public information session. 

Project: Anadarko has applied for two OCS air permits pursuant to section 328 of the 

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

regulate emissions from exploratory drilling operations within the Eastern Gulf 

of Mexico of the OCS. The proposed project associated with draft permit 

OCS-EPA-R4019 will mobilize the exploratory drillship Diamond BlackHawk

and the proposed project associated with draft permit OCS-EPA-R4020 will 

mobilize the Diamond BlackHornet. Each project will use up to two support 

vessels to transport personnel and supplies and up to four support vessels for 

well completion. The proposed projects will consist of three phases: the 

drilling phase, the well completion phase, and the production well maintenance 

phase. The proposed projects are for exploratory drilling only and do not 

include the establishment of any permanent production platforms.

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

supplemental materials provided and is proposing to issue Permit Number 

OCS-EPA-R4019 and Permit Number OCS-EPA-R4020 to Anadarko for two

exploratory drilling programs subject to the terms and conditions described in 

the draft permits. These projects are considered major sources under the 

applicable Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) regulations 40 CFR 
part 52.21 and are subject to the title V program at 40 CFR part 71. The draft 

permits incorporate 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 projects are 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 and for implementation of the Clean 

Air Act west of 87.5° longitude.

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

vessel and their associated 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 540 100 Yes

NOx

1 1,447 40 Yes

VOC2 171 40 Yes

PM 58 25 Yes

PM10 56 15 Yes

PM2.5 56 10 Yes

SO2

3 1 40 No

H2SO4 0.03 7 No

Pb 0.02 0.6 No

CO2e 125,000 75,000 (subject to regulation threshold) Yes

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 and precursor 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 these projects. A 

summary of the results of the air quality impact analysis are available in the 

preliminary determinations (see additional information below).

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

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

BACT requirements for the engines depend on engine characteristics and will 

include diesel engines equipped with turbocharger, aftercooler, and high 

injection pressure, tier-certified engines (where applicable), and/or good 

combustion practices. These projects 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 parametric emissions monitoring

system (PEMS) to be used in conjunction with an enhanced monitoring, 

maintenance, and load management system.
Additional Information: The draft permits and preliminary determinations/statements of basis 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 permits 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 permits 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