Uintah Basin 2012 Winter Ozone Study

Governor’s Energy Summit2/15/2012

Brock LeBaron

Randy Martin

Ozone Health Effects

• Airway irritation, coughing, and pain when taking a deep breath

• Aggravation of asthma and respiratory illnesses• Permanent lung damage with repeated

exposures

Formulation of the Federal Health Standard

• 75 parts per billion (but subject to change)

• “Smooth’s” the effect of extreme events

• Protects "sensitive" populations – Asthmatics – Children– Elderly

Ozone Formed in the Atmosphere

Ozone formation in the troposphere requires both NOx and VOCs

NOx + VOC + Sunlight = O3

Gas and Oil Production 1984 - 2010

* Division of Oil, Gas and Mining

Oil Production 1984 - 2010(1000 barrels)

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UnitahDuchesne

Natural Gas Production 1984 - 2010(million cubic feet)

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1984 2010

Natural Gas

Oil

UintahDuchesne

5-Day Episode – Ouray Site 2011Non-regulatory Data

Peak ozone value twice the federal standard

USU/EDL Special Monitoring StudyWinter 2010/2011

• Ozone 1-hour at 3 pm Feb 16, 2011• Basin-wide O3

EDL 2011 O3 study report

What is the Cause of High Wintertime O3?

• We don’t know yet, but …• Relatively few emission source types• Occurs during stable meteorology (physiography +

inversion = capped bowl)• Associated with snow cover (enhanced photolysis rates,

snow chemistry?)• WY seeing similar winter O3 values• Cooperative study of O3 formation chemistry this winter

This Winter’s Ozone Study

Purpose: to understand how ozone is formed in the Basin during wintertime inversion conditions. Identify the chemical pathways that are unique to the Basin’s winter situation.

Uintah Basin 2012 Study PlanUDEQ Oversight

• Study Team includes researchers from:• Utah State University/Energy Dynamics Lab• NOAA ‐ Chemical Sciences and Global Monitoring Divisions• University of Colorado • Utah Dept of Environmental Quality

• Funding:• Uintah Impact Mitigation Special Service District• Western Energy Alliance• BLM Utah State Office• EPA Region 8• In‐kind contributions from NOAA and Utah DEQ

* Largest air quality study ever conducted in Utah

Study Team

Study Components

• Two Long‐term Trends Sites ‐USU/EDL/UDEQ 

• Distributed Monitoring Study ‐ USU/EDL • Chemical Processes Study ‐ NOAA• Mobile Platform Studies ‐ NOAA• Vertical Profile Study ‐ CU• Emissions Inventory and Activity Data ‐

EDL

Study Period

• Routine ambient monitoring data to be collected throughout winter 2011‐2012

• Special research studies to be focused on February 2012.

Monitor Locations

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Horse Pool Super Site

15 Jim Roberts

Horse Pool Super Site

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Horse Pool Super Site

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Regulatory Authority

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Nox VOC CO SOx PM10

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Non-TribalTribal

Tribal vs State Oil/Gas Emissions

* WRAP 2006 Oil/Gas EI - mobile not included

Summary

• Recognition of an air quality problem• Proactive approach to finding a solution• Cooperative, voluntary effort• Mitigation will be science based • Jurisdictional issues to address

Website: www.airquality.utah.gov Click on Uintah Basin Air Quality and Energy Development

Questions?

andy Martin