# ~~ NORTH DAKOTA**~~** DEPARTMENTofHEALTH ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SECTION Gold Seal Center, 918 E. DivideAve. Bismarck, ND 58501-1947 701.328.5200 (fax) www.ndhealth.gov

MEMO TO
FROM



### RE
DATE Oil and Gas Operators TerryL. O'Clair, P.E.

# 4

Director j) Division ofAir Quality 

# j {/v
BakkenPool Guidance Document May 2, 2011

As an Oil and Gas Operatorinthe State ofNorthDakota, you are subjectto Chapter 33-15-20 of the North Dakota Air Pollution Control Rules (NDAPCR). These rules require the owner or operator ofany oil or gas well completed or recompleted on or after July 1, 1987, to submit a registration and gas analysis for production facilities to the North Dakota Department ofHealth (Department). An emission estimate is an important part of an acceptable registration. However, the recent development ofthe Bakken oil field in North Dakota has revealed unique requirements associated with the volatile organic compounds (VOC) emission calculations for these wells.
In cooperation with the BakkenVOC task force, the Departmenthas developed the Bakken Pool Oil and Gas Production Facilities Air Pollution Control Permitting and Compliance Guidance (Guidance) for the oil and gas industry to address these requirements (found at: http://www.ndhealth.gov/AQ/OilAndGasWells.htm). The Guidance will assist with permitting and compliance issues related to Bakken VQC emissions including Chapters 33-15-07 and 33- 15-20. The Guidance has been written to provide a greater level ofcertainty ofcompliance for the operators ofthese facilities. This Guidance will help operators with emission calculations, determining emission control requirements, and maintaining compliance with NDAPCR. In summary, for new Bakken wells (where the first date ofproduction occurs on or**~fter** June 1, 2011), the Guidancerequiresthe following:
1. Tanks are tied to a pit flare (at a minimum) on the first day ofproduction to allow for initial operations. 2. Depending upon emission calculations, within 60 days ofthe first date ofproduction, additional equipment mustbe installedto control emissions. 3. Aregistration packet must be submitted within 90 days ofthe first date ofproduction. A Registration Packet includes a Registration Form, a gas analysis and the first two pages oftheGuidance'sworkbook.

Environmental Health Section Chief's Office 701.328.5150 Division of AirQuality 701.328.5188 Division of Municipal Facilities

701.328.5211 Printedon recycledpaper. Division of Waste Management 701.328.5166 Division of WaterQuality 701.328.5210Oil & Gas Operators 2 May 2, 2011

For existing facilities, (where the first date ofproduction occurs prior to June 1, 2011), each operator with Bakken facilities will be mailed a separate letter detailing instructions on production facility information submissions, calculations and the controls required to be installed. The submittalprocess forthese wells will be streamlined. 

### In summary, the Guidance was developed with the assistance of multiple partners from the Bakken VOC Task force and with significant feedback from other stakeholders.· Proper registration and pollution control is critical to operating production facilities in North Dakota. Following the guidance is expected to ensure compliance with NDAPCR. The Department expects to take enforcementaction in cases ofnoncompliance. All forms andthe Guidance may be found on the Department's website at: http://www.ndhealth.gov/AQ/OilAndGasWells.htm

. Ifyou have any questions, please address them to Todd Peterson (tfpeterson@nd.gov) or Mark Dible (mdihle@nd.gov), both are atphonenumber (701) 328-5188. TLO/MD:saj