Quad O refers to the EPA 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 60, subpart OOOO regulating emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), sulfur dioxides (SO2), and other hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from onshore and offshore Crude Oil and Natural Gas operations within the United States. These emissions standards developed by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), apply to new, modified, or reconstructed sources in the oil and gas industry and aim to reduce air pollution and its associated environmental health impacts.
Why is Quad O Important?
The importance of Quad O regulations lies in its ability to safeguard both human health and the environment by decreasing emissions of VOCs and other air pollutants from oil and natural gas operations. VOCs, which are classified as greenhouse gases, aid in the creation of ground-level ozone or smog and are linked to a wide range of adverse human and environmental health effects.
Within the Quad O regulations, there are mandated requirements for equipment, leak detection, repair emissions monitoring, and control technologies. These regulations pose stringent emission standards throughout various processes and equipment used within oil and gas operations.
Background of Quad O:
The first iteration of Quad O, published in 2012, implemented new volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and methane monitoring and reduction requirements from various sources within the oil and natural gas industry. In 2016, Quad Oa was released which expanded the number of facilities subject to regulations to include methane emissions reduction and monitoring from sources constructed, reconstructed or modified after September 15, 2015. In 2021, Quad O was amended again, and oil and gas sources were divided into four classes: Quad O, Oa, Ob, Oc.
Quad O: New, modified, or reconstructed sources after August 23, 2011 but on or before September 18, 2015.
Quad Oa: New, modified, or reconstructed sources after September 18, 2015 but on or before November 15, 2021.
Quad Ob: New, modified, or reconstructed after December 6, 2022.
Quad Oc: Existing sources, including sources that commenced construction, reconstruction, or modification before December 6, 2022.
What are the Key Components of Quad O?
1. Affected Facilities:
Quad O applies to all onshore and offshore Crude Oil and Natural Gas facilities constructed, modified or rebuilt after August 23, 2011, and on or before September 18, 2015. The affected facilities include:
- Well sites
- Compressor stations
- Natural gas processing plants
- Storage vessels
- Hydraulically fractured well completions
- Continuous bleed pneumatic controllers
- Reciprocating and centrifugal compressors
- Leak detection and repair equipment
- SO2 sweetening units
- Glycol dehydrators
2. Emission Control Requirements:
Quad O compliance requires operators to use various emission control practices to minimize the release of VOCs, SO2, methane, and other pollutants into the atmosphere. This may include the installation of:
- Vapor recovery units
- Flaring systems
- Leak detection and repair programs
3. Leak Detection and Repair:
Quad O mandates owners and operators of oil and gas facilities to implement advanced Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs to identify and address fugitive emissions from equipment such as valves, pumps and connectors.
4. Emission Monitoring and Reporting:
Operators must maintain meticulous records of their emissions and install monitoring equipment such as continuous emissions monitoring systems under Quad O regulations. This includes submitting periodic compliance reports, maintenance schedules, repairs, leak detection results, and other data to regulatory agencies.
While these regulations may require oil and gas facilities to undergo operational changes to be compliant with Quad O, they stimulate technological innovation by encouraging the development and adoption of advanced emission control technologies.
Learn more about recent updates to Quad O regulations in this blog post.