California Air Resources Board

Downloadable files providing background information on the Oil and Gas Methane Regulation:

2007 Oil and Gas Industry Survey Data

CARB conducted a survey of the crude oil and natural gas industry to improve estimates of GHG emissions in California. Data was collected for the 2007 calendar year to quantify equipment and operation processes.

U.S. EPA Method 21 (Scope and Application)

U.S. EPA Method 21 uses a portable instrument to locate and classify Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) leaks from process equipment. These sources include, but are not limited to, valves, flanges and other connections, pumps and compressors, pressure relief devices, process drains, open-ended valves, pump and compressor seal system degassing vents, accumulator vessel vents, agitator seals, and access door seals. The instrument detector type is not specified, but it must meet certain specifications and performance criteria. This method is intended to locate and classify VOC leaks only, and is not to be used as a direct measure of mass emission rate from individual sources. Adherence to the requirements of this method will enhance the quality of the data obtained from air pollutant sampling methods.

Economic Analysis of Methane Emission Reduction Opportunities in the U.S. Onshore Oil and Natural Gas Industries, ICF International, March 2014

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) commissioned this economic analysis of methane emission reduction opportunities from the oil and natural gas industries to identify the most cost-effective approaches to reduce methane emissions. The study projects the estimated growth of methane emissions from these industries through 2018 as future date at which new emission reduction technologies could be installed. It then identifies the largest emitting segments and estimates the magnitude and cost of potential reductions available through currently available technologies.

Compendium of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Methodologies for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry, API, August 2009

The overall objective of this document is to promote the use of consistent, standardized methodologies for estimating GHG emissions from oil and natural gas industry operations. As a result, this API Compendium recognizes calculation techniques and emission factors for estimating GHG emissions for oil and natural gas industry operations. These techniques cover the calculation or estimation of emissions from the full range of industry operations – from exploration and production through refining, to the marketing and distribution of products.

California Implementation Guidelines for Estimating Mass Emissions of Fugitive Hydrocarbon Leaks at Petroleum Facilities, CAPCOA, February 1999

The purpose of the guidelines is to facilitate the estimation of fugitive emissions from equipment components in the petroleum industry in the State of California. These guidelines contain some recommendations that all districts in California will apply consistently and some recommendations that each district may elect to use at its discretion.