40 CFR 60 OOOOa OOOOb OOOOc compliance solutions and monitoring by Atlas OT

Ensure Full Compliance with OOOO/A/B/C Control Compliance Solutions

Monitoring for Compliance is only part of the equation. Proactively control for 40 CFR Part 60, 60.18 Compliance issues to reduce emissions before they happen.

How to Comply with OOOOb - Tank Low Pressure Flare Requirements example

What are Tank Low Pressure Flare Requirements and how does that impact your compliance with OOOOa/b/c? In short, the key is to make sure your flares are always burning efficiently to meet VOC, GHG, and methane destruction requirements.

Atlas OT helps you with OOOO/A/B/C control compliance by meeting legal flaring requirements.

Flare Curves

Review your pressure vs flare curves from flare vendor. Ensure control system operates in ideal zone for VOC destruction and alert if outside low or high alarm points.

Gas Composition

Working with The Valor Method, we can determine gas composition (sample and simulation) to find Minimum and Maximum Allowable Flare Flowrate

Inlet Valving

Control system and automation logic to ensure flare inlet valves operate flare within acceptable ranges.

Tank Pressure Monitoring

Solve NHV issues with Tank Pressure Data Monitoring and Control to keep positive pressure on tanks, to prove closed system seal and prevent oxygen egress and thief hatch leaking.

Blower Ramping

Control blowers based on flare inlet pressure, tank pressure, and separator pressure to proactively manage system fluctuations.

Pilot Status

Confirm Flare Pilot Status with direct monitoring and thermocouple data. Track pilot time under temperature to monitor for reportable events.

Simplify compliance and reduce risk with trusted OOOO/A/B/C Control Compliance support.

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Overview of 40 CFR 60 Subpart OOOOa OOOOb OOOOc

The EPA’s 40 CFR Part 60 Subparts OOOOa, OOOOb, OOOOc set performance standards and emissions guidelines for crude oil and natural gas facilities, based on when the facilities were built, modified, or reconstructed:

Subpart OOOO: Facilities constructed or modified between August 23, 2011, and September 18, 2015
Subpart OOOOa: Facilities constructed or modified between September 18, 2015, and December 6, 2022
Subpart OOOOb: Facilities constructed or modified after December 6, 2022
Subpart OOOOc: Guidelines for greenhouse gas emissions from existing facilities

These standards ensure that new and updated oil and gas operations minimize emissions and protect air quality.

Key aspects include:

Regulates volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from specific sources in the oil and natural gas industry
Covers emissions from leaking components at onshore natural gas processing plants
Provides standards for sulfur dioxide emissions from natural gas processing plants

The regulation impacts several types of equipment and processes:

Gas Well Completions
Centrifugal and Reciprocating Compressors
Pneumatic Controllers
Storage Vessels
Equipment Leaks at Natural Gas Processing Plants
Sweetening Units at Natural Gas Processing Plants

Get expert guidance on achieving OOOO/A/B/C Control Compliance — start your consultation today.

Impact of Sweetening Units at Natural Gas Processing Plants

Industrial control systems such as RTUs (Remote Terminal Units), Flow Computers, PLCs (Programming Logic Controllers), and SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition Systems) can significantly enhance compliance efforts while optimizing operations. In many case, compliance can also lead to increased profits on the facility by modernizing control systems for better operations and maintenance.

1. Continuous Monitoring and Data Collection

Smart sensors and IoT devices can continuously monitor emissions, equipment performance, and process parameters. This real-time data collection enables:

Early detection of leaks or equipment malfunctions
Automated alerts for potential compliance issues
Improved accuracy in emissions reporting

2. Automated Control Systems

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Distributed Control Systems (DCS) can automate processes to maintain optimal operating conditions:

Programming control loops and designing equipment to minimize emissions
Automated adjustment of compressor operations to reduce fugitive emissions
Optimized storage vessel pressure management

3. Advanced Analytics and Reporting

Data analytics platforms and visualization tools can process the collected data to:

Generate automated compliance reports
Identify trends and potential areas for improvement
Support data-driven decision-making for EHS initiatives

4. Remote Monitoring and Control

SCADA systems and remote access technologies allow for:

Real-time monitoring of multiple facilities from a central location
Rapid response to potential compliance issues
Reduced need for on-site personnel, improving safety

5. Predictive Maintenance

Machine learning algorithms can analyze equipment performance data to:

Predict potential failures before they occur
Schedule maintenance proactively to prevent emissions-related issues
Optimize equipment efficiency and lifespan

Get expert OOOO/a/b/c control systems compliance consulting to secure your OT infrastructure.

Optimize equipment efficiency and lifespan

Implementing Quad O system integration automation and control solutions offers several advantages:

Improved Accuracy: Automated systems reduce human error in data collection and reporting.
Enhanced Efficiency: Streamlined processes and optimized operations lead to reduced emissions and improved resource utilization.
Cost Savings: Proactive maintenance and optimized operations can lower overall compliance costs.
Simplified Reporting: Automated data collection and report generation save time and resources.
Increased Safety: Remote monitoring and automated controls reduce the need for personnel in potentially hazardous areas.

By leveraging industrial automation and with Quad O consulting, oil and gas executives can not only ensure compliance with 40 CFR 60 Subpart OOOOa OOOOb OOOOc but also drive operational excellence and demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship. Our OOOO engineering and consulting provide the tools needed to stay ahead of regulatory requirements while optimizing return on investment through improved efficiency and reduced risk.

Monitor and Control EHS

Emission standards compliance are increasingly important to oil and gas operators. Greenhouse gases (GHG) such as methane, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) require monitoring and reduction.

Platform Agnostic

Control and Monitor using your preferred RTU, PLC, and SCADA platforms.

Data Integration for Rapid Compliance Auditing

If you are using third parties to collect data and compare to regulatory requirements, we can help. Integrate your facility data directly into their systems to automate reporting and highlight areas of concern.

APMPLS Compliant

Automatic Pressure Management and Pilot Light System - per State of Colorado for DJ Basin Operators.

Active Monitoring

See issues as they happen and learn from the data with AI to early detect issues from weather, pipelines, and loadouts. Adjust production and response to minimize events.

Our OOOOa/b/c control systems compliance consulting ensures your operations meet the highest standards of safety, security, and performance.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is 40 CFR Part 60 Subpart OOOOa, OOOOb, and OOOOc?

These are EPA regulations under the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) that target VOC and greenhouse gas emissions from oil and natural gas operations. They apply to facilities built, modified, or reconstructed between specific dates.

What are tank low-pressure flare requirements and why are they important?

These requirements ensure flares operate efficiently at low pressures to destroy VOCs , GHGs, and other pollutants effectively. Poor flare performance can result in non-compliance and emissions violations.

What is NHV (Net Heating Value) and how is it monitored?

NHV measures the energy content of gas being sent to a flare. Atlas OT ensures proper air/gas mixtures and flowrates to maintain compliance with”, strike this reference to NHV. 40 CFR 60.18.

How does automation improve environmental compliance?

Automation allows continuous monitoring, proactive control of emissions sources, faster response to anomalies, and more accurate data for compliance reporting.

What equipment does OOOOa/b/c regulation apply to?

It includes oil and gas well completions, compressors, pneumatic controllers, storage tanks, sweetening units, and leak detection systems at processing plants.

Can I integrate Atlas OT solutions with existing PLC or SCADA platforms?

Yes, Atlas OT solutions are platform-agnostic and can integrate with your existing RTU, PLC, and SCADA systems for seamless control and monitoring.

How does flare curve analysis support compliance?

By analyzing pressure vs. flare performance curves, we ensure your system operates in optimal zones for combustion, alerting you if values fall outside acceptable ranges.

What is APMPLS and is it required for Colorado operations?

APMPLS stands for Automatic Pressure Management and Pilot Light System. It's a compliance requirement for well Operators in Colorado and is supported by Atlas OT.