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 NEW COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR METHANE EMISSIONS
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EPA issued a final rule which further regulates methane emissions from oil and gas well sites under 40 CFR 60 Subpart OOOOa. The rule was published in the Federal Register on June 3, 2016. The effective date is August 2, 2016. The amendments apply to new, modified, and reconstructed facilities after September 18, 2015.
The new rule finalized amendments to the current new source performance standards for the Oil and Natural Gas Sector and established new standards:
- Hydraulically fractured oil wells are included in addition to hydraulically fractured gas wells covered in the existing regulations. The amendment requires filing prior notifications to the EPA for flow back operations and utilizing "reduced emission completions".
- Requires semi-annual leak detection and repair for well sites and quarterly leak detection and repair surveys for gathering and boosting stations. Historically, leak detection and repair program requirements only applied to gas processing and midstream functions. The initial leak detection survey must be completed by June 3, 2017 or within 60 days of startup, whichever is later.
The annual compliance reports will continue to be due on January 13th each year. Read More
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YOUR COMPANY'S OSHA 300 LOG WILL BE PUBLIC INFORMATION
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 OSHA has issued a final rule requiring employers to electronically submit injury and illness data that will then be made public. This rule applies to companies with 250 or more employees and companies comprised of 20 to 249 employees in certain high-hazard industries. This will include the majority of oil and gas related organizations such as service and operating companies. This rule goes into effect January 1, 2017 with a two year phase in. The first set of statistics is due July 1, 2017. Read More
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NEW LOUISIANA NATURAL GAS SEVERANCE TAX RATE
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 Effective July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017, the natural gas severance tax rate in Louisiana will be .098 cents per thousand cubic feet (MCF), as established by the Louisiana Department of Revenue. The reduced natural gas severance tax rates (incapable rates) will remain the same. Read More
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UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES
 Aerial photography and videography is emerging as a valuable and necessary tool in the oil and gas industry. Drones are very well-suited for Phase I inspections, spill response, pipeline inspections, and assessments of elevated equipment. Aerial photographs may be an invaluable tool for the assessment of real estate including production locations and midstream facilities. Drone capability greatly reduces length of time for detection when determining the magnitude of a spill. Pipelines that may be impassable or need quick assessments are great candidates for unmanned inspections. Some may find a situation where rigging down an elevated piece of equipment for a visual inspection is time-consuming and costly; a quick flight with real-time visual control will save on both fronts. Unmanned aerial service is a safe, viable option to save both time and money.
Please contact Peyton Giddens for more information on Brammer's drone services. |
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In late February, our adopted son and soldier, Captain Harrison Carmody, returned from ten months of active duty in Afghanistan. We honored and thanked Capt. Carmody for his service at a luncheon on St. Patrick's Day, March 17th. He presented the company with some very special keepsakes which we have displayed proudly in our Shreveport office.
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BROADCAST QUIP
"In matters of fashion, swim with the current;
in matters of principle, stand like a rock."
- Thomas Jefferson
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