Oil and Gas at Your Door? (2005 Edition) - Earthworks

Oil and Gas Development and Impacts
greatly reduce the concentrations of H 2 S that would otherwise be vented to the atmosphere,
it must be noted that flaring still allows low levels of that compound to be emitted. Moreover,
it has been demonstrated that only 66-84% of flared gases are fully combusted. 119 Research
has shown that incomplete combustion from flaring releases as many as 250 hazardous air
pollutants that include: nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and
xylene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and, in the case of sour gas, hydrogen sulfide
and carbon disulfide. Some of these, such as benzene and some PAHs are cancer-causing,
while others (e.g., toluene, ethyl benzene, xylenes) are also known to affect human health
(e.g., reproduction, respiratory systems). 120
Emissions from flaring, especially during well testing, can result in high ground-level concentrations
of pollutants. Depending on the levels, these substances may affect the health
of humans and other animals and vegetation. For more information on air pollution from
flaring, read about Impacts Associated with Oil and Gas Operations, in this chapter, and
landowner stories in Chapter IV.
The following alternative practices may be used to reduce venting and flaring: 121
• Well testing: In some cases, the need for well test flaring may be eliminated by conducting
in-line testing through a pipeline to a processing facility. If, however, test flaring cannot be
avoided, the use of improved well-logging instrumentation, and the use of existing reservoir
data from previous well tests should be able to significantly shorten the duration of the test.
• Gas Processing: Gases that would be flared can be piped to microturbines, to generate
electricity for local use. Or, the gas can be injected deep into the ground, where it will not
come in contact with fresh water aquifers.
• Pipeline maintenance: If more valves are installed on the pipeline, a smaller section will have to
be purged to perform the maintenance activities, which reduce the releases to the atmosphere.
• Decreasing emissions of hazardous compounds: If more efficient burners or incinerators
on flare stacks are installed, there will be more complete combustion, and fewer pollutants
emitted to the atmosphere.
If the regulations regarding flaring and venting are not very stringent in your state, you may want
to negotiate with the companies to establish large setbacks from the well to your home. If your
home is in a low-lying area, setbacks may not fully protect you from the harmful emissions,
since airborne substances like hydrogen sulfide can settle in depressions in the landscape.
Furthermore, setbacks may not protect livestock or wildlife in the area. Consequently, you
should push hard to get companies to adopt alternative practices and minimize flaring and
venting from their operations.
Noise
Landowners often complain about noise levels associated with natural gas compressors. The
noise level varies with the size of the compressor and distance from the compressor; and it
changes with shifts in wind direction and intensity. According to the Powder River Basin
Resource Council, “Depending on the wind direction, the roar of a field compressor can be
heard three to four miles from the site. Near the compressor stations, people need to shout to
make themselves heard over the sound of the engines.” 122
For more information on the impact of noise on landowners, read about Impacts Associated
with Oil and Gas Operations, and landowner stories in Chapter IV.
Water Use
• Typically, hundreds of thousands of gallons of water are required to drill and complete a
conventional well. 123
• Large quantities of water may (50,000 to millions of gallons) be used to stimulate or enhance
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