By: Mathew George andMichael DudaskoComparison of Two FlareMinimization ApproachesENV-09-252OBJECTIVES–Compare flare rules•One effects refineries inNorthern California•One effects refineries inSouthern California–Have they both been effective ?–Does one prove to be a betterapproach ?BAAQMDSCAQMD3San Francisco Bay Area–Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)•Five refineries•~ 847,000 BPD–Reg 12, Rule 11 – 6/4/2003•Required flare monitoring–Reg 12, Rule 12, Flare Minimization•Required Flare Minimization Plans (FMPs) by 8/1/2006Comprehensive documentsSubject to Public Review•Prohibited flaring as of 11/1/2006 unless per FMP4Los Angeles Area–South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD)•Seven refineries•~ 1,070,000 BPD–Rule 1118•1998 – required refineries to provide flare data•Emission reductions occurredYearSOx (tons)20002,63320011,7932002754200373520043525Los Angeles Area (cont.)–Rule 1118 amended in November 2005•Intended to reduce SOx emissions from 700 tpy in 2003 to150 tpy by 2012•Established performance targets (tons SOx/MM Bbls. Crude)January 1, 2006 - 1.5 tonsJanuary 1, 2008 - 1.0 tonJanuary 1, 2010 - 0.7 tonJanuary 1, 2012 - 0.5 ton•Also required basic flare process information includingoptions to reduce flaring during SD / SU / TA•If target exceeded, fees are paid, an FMP is required, and issubject to public review6BAAQMD and SCAQMD ComparisonBAAQMD Reg. 12, Rule 12 versus SCAQMD Rule 11181. Target/Emissions Limits2. FMP Submittal Requirement3. Basis for FMP4. Refiner Goals5. Incident Analysis6. Performance Standards7. Cost of Non-Compliance7BAAQMD and SCAQMD ComparisonBAAQMD Reg. 12, Rule 12SCAQMD Rule 1118No pre-determined quantity ofallowable SO2emissions froma facility.The District sets a predetermined quantity of SO2flare emissions from eachfacility for each yearTargets/Emissions Limits8BAAQMD and SCAQMD ComparisonBAAQMD Reg. 12, Rule 12SCAQMD Rule 1118A FMP is submitted up frontand refreshed on an annualbasis (involves both Districtand public review).Submittal of basic processinformation 2006-07. FMP isonlyrequired if the SO2fromflaring events exceeds totalallowable for the calendaryear.FMP Submittal Requirement9BAAQMD and SCAQMD ComparisonBAAQMD Reg. 12, Rule 12SCAQMD Rule 1118FMP predicts events thatcould cause flaring of SO2.FMP lists the causes of theflaring events andpreventative measures to beimplemented.Basis for FMP10BAAQMD and SCAQMD ComparisonBAAQMD Reg. 12, Rule 12SCAQMD Rule 1118Refineries have an ability topredict their SO2emissionsdue to flaring and reduce tothe lowest possibleRefineries have a maximumSO2emissions goal set by thedistrict.Refiner Goals11BAAQMD and SCAQMD ComparisonBAAQMD Reg. 12, Rule 12SCAQMD Rule 1118Root cause analysis of flaringincident greater than 500,000SCF of vent gas anddiscussion of why it isconsistent with the FMP (ifapplicable).Relative cause analysis ofany other flare events wheremore than 5,000 standardcubic feet of vent gas arecombusted.Root cause analysis requiredfor flare incidents with greaterthan 500 pounds of SO2or500,000 SCF of vent gas.Incident Analysis12BAAQMD and SCAQMD ComparisonBAAQMD Reg. 12, Rule 12SCAQMD Rule 1118Relative to the operatorproposed FMP andcomparison to the peer refinerFMPsAbsolute to the SOx emissiontargetPerformance Standards13BAAQMD and SCAQMD ComparisonBAAQMD Reg. 12, Rule 12SCAQMD Rule 1118None specified. Flaring isprohibited unless approved inFMP or deemed necessary inan emergency to prevent anaccident, hazard or release ofvent gas directly to theatmosphere. Would follownormal Notice of Violationprocess.Public Review/Comment ofthe FMP and mitigation feespaid to District ranging from$25,000 to $100,000 per tonin excess of the performancetarget with a per refineryyearly cap of $4,000,000.Costs of Non-Compliance14California Refinery Flare EmissionsTotal Annual SOx Emissions01002003004005006007008002004 2005 2006 2007 2008Year

Annual SO 2 (Tons)SCAQMDBAAQMD2000 SCAQMD = 2,633 tons15Pounds per BPD (Nameplate)0.000.200.400.600.801.001.201.401.601.802004 2005 2006 2007 2008Year

Annual SO 2 (Pounds/BPD)SCAQMDBAAQMDCalifornia Refinery Flare Emissions16Conclusions–Flare emissions have reduced dramatically in both regions–It appears that the SCAQMD performance targets could be met by theSan Francisco Bay area refineries to date–The SCAQMD target (tons of SOx per MM Bbls 2004 crude capacity)does not allow for capacity creep andfor the accounting of importedintermediate feedstock–Current performance targets in SCAQMD manageable - only onerefinery to date required to submit a FMP–One incident can be significant and obscure the improved results forthat refinery or even for the entire air basin (magnified for operatorswith lower capacity basis)–Too early to tell whether the SCAQMD and BAAQMD approach hasachieved greater reductions; further reductions in SCAQMD in 2010and 2012 will test the parallel District performance further17Questions ?Mathew George (Long Beach)mathew.george@aecom.comMichael Dudasko (Oakland)michael.dudasko@aecom.com