Tony Walker, REM DFW Regional Director Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas Commission on Environmental Quality – DFW Region Office

Tony Walker, REMDFW Regional DirectorTexas Commission on Environmental Quality

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality – DFW Region Office

Barnett Shale StudyBarnett Shale Study

Phase 1: August 24-28, 2009Phase 1: August 24-28, 2009

Phase 2: October 9-16, 2009Phase 2: October 9-16, 2009

Phase 3: November 16-20, 2009Phase 3: November 16-20, 2009

* 2007 Initial Study - North Texas Flyover



94 Monitoring Sites94 Monitoring Sites

GasFindIR

Toxic Vapor AnalyzersSumma Canisters


TCEQ Monitoring ReviewTCEQ Monitoring Review

• Infrared Gas-Imaging Camera (IR Infrared Gas-Imaging Camera (IR Camera)Camera)– Allows us to see hydrocarbon emissions Allows us to see hydrocarbon emissions

that we can’t see with the bare eyethat we can’t see with the bare eye

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality – DFW Regional Office

Barnett Shale StudyBarnett Shale StudyOf the 94 sites monitored, TCEQ Of the 94 sites monitored, TCEQ

documented that only two sites documented that only two sites had benzene levels that had benzene levels that demanded immediate actiondemanded immediate action

TCEQ documented that 19 TCEQ documented that 19 additional sites may require additional sites may require action by facility operatorsaction by facility operators


Barnett Shale StudyBarnett Shale StudyTwo sites exceeded both short-term Two sites exceeded both short-term

and long-term ESL - and long-term ESL - Repairs have Repairs have been completed & confirmed by been completed & confirmed by TCEQTCEQ

Initial monitoring:Initial monitoring:Targa (site 8) – 1,100 ppb Targa (site 8) – 1,100 ppb

(compressor station)(compressor station)

Devon (site 7) – 15,000 ppb Devon (site 7) – 15,000 ppb (five feet (five feet from well)from well)


What is an Effect Screening What is an Effect Screening Level (ESL)?Level (ESL)?

• ESLs are based on data concerning health effects, the ESLs are based on data concerning health effects, the potential for odors to be a nuisance, effects on vegetation, potential for odors to be a nuisance, effects on vegetation, and corrosive effects. They are not ambient air standards. If and corrosive effects. They are not ambient air standards. If predicted or measured airborne levels of a constituent do predicted or measured airborne levels of a constituent do not exceed the screening level, adverse health or welfare not exceed the screening level, adverse health or welfare effects are not expected. If ambient levels of constituents in effects are not expected. If ambient levels of constituents in air exceed the screening levels, it does not necessarily air exceed the screening levels, it does not necessarily indicate a problem but rather triggers a review in more indicate a problem but rather triggers a review in more depth.depth.

• The ESL for benzene is:The ESL for benzene is:Short term = 180 ppbShort term = 180 ppbLong term = 1.4 ppbLong term = 1.4 ppb



TCEQ conducted verification TCEQ conducted verification monitoring 1/18/10monitoring 1/18/10

Post repair benzene levels:Post repair benzene levels:

Targa (site 8) - 0.21 ppbTarga (site 8) - 0.21 ppb

Devon (site 7) - 0.18 ppbDevon (site 7) - 0.18 ppb


What’s Next?What’s Next?Install new stationary monitors - DISH and Install new stationary monitors - DISH and

Eagle MountainEagle Mountain

Additional targeted mobile monitoring – Additional targeted mobile monitoring – ground and air-based monitoringground and air-based monitoring

Continue complaint response process (12 Continue complaint response process (12 hour response)hour response)

Continue routine / reconnaissance Continue routine / reconnaissance investigationsinvestigations


ConclusionConclusionRepairs have been completed at the two sites Repairs have been completed at the two sites

where significant levels of benzene were where significant levels of benzene were documented (benzene is now at background documented (benzene is now at background levels)levels)

Repairs are in progress at sites where elevated Repairs are in progress at sites where elevated levels of benzene were detectedlevels of benzene were detected

TCEQ will continue to investigate and direct TCEQ will continue to investigate and direct facilities to make the necessary repairs and facilities to make the necessary repairs and verify repairs achieve desired resultsverify repairs achieve desired results

TCEQ will continue to monitor to ensure TCEQ will continue to monitor to ensure emerging issues are addressedemerging issues are addressed


Contacts & Additional Contacts & Additional ResourcesResources• TCEQ DFW Regional Office: 817-588-5800TCEQ DFW Regional Office: 817-588-5800

• File a complaint at 1-888-777-3186 OR File a complaint at 1-888-777-3186 OR online at: online at: http://www5.tceq.state.tx.us/oce/complaints

• TCEQ Barnett Shale Information Webpage:TCEQ Barnett Shale Information Webpage:

http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/implementation/barnettshale/bshale-main


http://www5.tceq.state.tx.us/oce/complaints

http://www5.tceq.state.tx.us/oce/complaints



Documents

Tony Walker, REM DFW Regional Director Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas Commission on Environmental Quality – DFW Region Office