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/R Incorporated Providing Environmental Technical Support Since 1989

501 Eastowne Drive, Suite 250  Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514

Telephone: (919)484-0222  Fax: (919) 484-0122

MEMORANDUM

Date: May 28, 2010

Subject: Summary of the March 4, 2010 Meeting Between the EPA and API 

Representatives Regarding Oil and Natural Gas Production and Processing

From: Robert Vogt, EC/R Incorporated

To: Bruce Moore, EPA/OAQPS/SPPD/CCG

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this memorandum is to summarize the March 4, 2010 meeting between 

the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and industry representatives from the American 

Petroleum Institute (API). The purpose of the meeting was to obtain information about the 

exploration, production, and processing segments of the oil and gas industry.

II. DATE

The meeting took place on March 4, 2010 from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the United 

States Environmental Protection Agency in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

III. ATTENDEES

API

Matt Todd, Regulatory Analyst

BP

Jeffrey A. Adams, Manager, Regulatory Affairs

ExxonMobil

Tom Monahan, Senior Regulatory Specialist

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA/OAQPS)

Rachel Agnew, Sector Policies and Programs Division, Measurement Policy Group

Jodi Howard, Sector Policies and Programs Division, Coatings and Chemicals Group

Ken Hustvedt, Sector Policies and Programs Divisions, Coatings and Chemicals Group

Alex MacPherson, Health and Environmental Impacts Division, Air Benefit and Cost Group

Bruce Moore, Sector Policies and Programs Division, Coatings and Chemicals Group

Nick Parsons, Sector Policies and Programs Division, Coatings and Chemicals Group
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/R Incorporated Providing Environmental Technical Support Since 1989

501 Eastowne Drive, Suite 250  Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514

Telephone: (919)484-0222  Fax: (919) 484-0122

David Salman, Sector Policies and Programs Division, Coatings and Chemicals Group

David Solomon, Sector Policies and Programs Division, Program Design Group

EC/R Incorporated

Heather Brown

Robert Vogt

IV. SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION

Mr. Adams led the discussion with a PowerPoint presentation on the exploration and 

production segments of the oil and gas industry (see Attachment 1). The oil and gas industry has 

a variety of unique exploration and production operations that are specific to the basin in which 

they are located in as well as the geological characteristics of the reservoir. Mr. Adams stated 

that the number of conventional reservoirs is on the decline; however, drilling activity has 

increased in unconventional shale plays and coal bed methane reserves across the country. 

Following a general outline of the industry, Mr. Adams described the typical trajectory of an oil 

or gas field, as well as a brief description of gas processing operations. This discussion consisted 

of the following topics: 

 Drilling of exploratory “Wild Cat” pilot wells

 Development of roads and other infrastructure

 Initial field development

 Typical on-site processing equipment

 Mature field development

 Evaluation of alternative reservoir potential

 Infield development, well decommissioning

 Typical gas processing plant equipment

In addition to a detailed description of well operations, other topics discussed at this meeting 

included: 

 Potential for CO2 sequestration in decommissioned wells

 Description of contractual agreements at well sites 

 Discussion of a potential 114 industry survey to gather information about emissions 

sources