In this publication you will find a compilation of the different regulations on the optical display of gas images in different countries.
2024: Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 concerning the reduction of methane emissions in the energy sector and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/942.
Mandatory European Regulation on the reduction of fugitive methane emissions in the energy sector and amending Regulation 2019/942.
2022: PROPOSAL: EPA program for reducing emissions of methane and other harmful pollutants from oil and natural gas operations.
November 11, 2022: EPA is proposing to update, strengthen and expand its November 2021 proposal that would secure significant climate and health benefits for all Americans by reducing emissions of methane and other harmful air pollutants from new and existing oil and gas operations. The Agency has issued a companion proposal that would achieve more comprehensive emission reductions from oil and natural gas facilities by improving the standards in the 2021 proposal and adding proposed requirements for sources not previously covered.
2015: PROPOSAL: EPA program to reduce methane emissions.
In its Aug. 18 announcement of its new proposal, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says it has identified optical gas imaging (OGI) visualization technology as the "best emission reduction system" for detecting leaking methane emissions at new equipment installations, upgrades and modified sources.
2014: European Commission's Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive (IPPC) (2008/1/EC) and Industrial Emissions Directive (IED, 2010/75/EU): refining
On October 9, 2014, the European Commission published the final Commission Implementing Decision setting out the conclusions on best available techniques (BAT) under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on industrial emissions, for oil and gas refining.
2014: UK Environment Agency: fracking.
In July 2014, the Environment Agency published a report entitled "Considerations for quantifying fugitive methane releases from shale gas operations".
The report was produced to inform the Environment Agency about the options available for quantifying the amount of fugitive methane released into the atmosphere arising from oil and gas extraction operations. The focus of the report is on exploration operations to extract methane from shale using hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as "shale gas operations" (as stated in the title).
2014: European Commission's Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive (IPPC) (2008/1/EC) and Industrial Emissions Directive (IED, 2010/75/EU): chemical sector.
There are several BREF documents that are relevant to the new FDI, reference: BREF documents
One of them is related to common water and waste gas treatment and management systems in the chemical sector.
Chapter 4 CONCLUSIONS ON BEST AVAILABLE TECHNIQUES (BAT) FOR COMMON WATER AND WASTE GAS TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN THE CHEMICAL SECTOR sets out the scope of the sectors to be covered by these draft regulations:
2014: Fracking in the United States, Colorado State regulations: fracking.
On February 23, 2014, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission ("Commission") fully included the EPA's oil and gas production, transmission and distribution standards of conduct, which are contained in Title 40 CFR Part 60, Subpart OOOO ("NSPS OOOO"), in Regulation Number 6, Part A; included corresponding revisions to its permitting and emissions reporting framework in Regulation Number 3, Parts A, B and C; and included additional oil and gas control measures in Regulation Number 7.
2013: European Commission's Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive (IPPC) (2008/1/EC) and Industrial Emissions Directive (IED, 2010/75/EU): refining
In 2007, a test using FLIR's OGI technology combined with complementary technology was carried out. The subsequent report [CONCAWE Report No. 6/08] and the conclusion drawn by CONCAWE constitute some of the key aspects of the new draft BAT (Best Available Techniques) and BREF (Best Available Techniques Reference Document), which are part of the new Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU (IED) on OGI technology.
2012: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CFR Chapter 40, Part 60, Subpart OOOO (QUAD O): fracking.
Included in the final regulations are the first federal air standards for hydraulically fractured natural gas wells (fracking), along with requirements for other sources of pollution from the oil and gas sector that are not currently federally regulated.
This subpart establishes emission standards and regulatory compliance programs for the control of volatile organic compound (VOC) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from affected onshore facilities that begin construction, modification, or reconstruction operations on or after August 23, 2011.
2011: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, CFR Chapter 40, Part 98, Subpart W: refining
On November 8, 2010, Administrator Jackson ratified a rule establishing reporting requirements for the oil and natural gas sector under 40 CFR Part 98, Chapter 40, the regulatory framework for the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting program.
This final rule requires oil and gas facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent per year to report annual methane (CH4) and CO2 emissions from equipment leaks and releases; CO2, CH4 and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from gas combustion and combustion of portable and stationary equipment for onshore oil and natural gas production; and combustion emissions from stationary equipment involved in natural gas distribution.
2008: Concawe Europe report: refining
Concawe was created in 1963 by a small group of major oil companies to carry out studies on environmental issues relevant to the oil sector. Its membership has expanded to include most of the oil companies operating in Europe.
The scope of Concawe's activities has progressively broadened in line with societal EHS concerns. These activities cover areas such as fuel quality and emissions, air and water quality, soil contamination, waste, occupational health and safety, petroleum product management and cross-border pipeline performance.
In 2008 Concawe published a report following a trial that was carried out at Shell Gothenburg in 2007. During the trial, FLIR's GasFindIR optical gas imaging camera and a complementary technique were tested.
2008: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, AWP (Alternate Work Practice): refining
EPA's Method 21 - Alternative Work Practice (AWP), promulgated in December 2008, allows the use of Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) cameras for leak detection under the M21 method in lieu of the "sniffer device" method.
Many EPA air emissions regulations require specific work practices for equipment leak detection and repair. On April 6, 2006, we proposed a voluntary alternative work practice for leak detection and repair using a newly developed technology: optical gas imaging visualization.
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You can find all of them in the official pages of the regulations:
United States - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Regulating Methane Emissions in the Oil and Gas Industry: EPA's Methane Rule
European Union - European Commission
- Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU): Industrial Emissions Directive
Canada - Government of Canada
- Regulations to reduce emissions of methane and certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the oil and gas sector: Methane and VOC Emission Regulations
Australia - Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measurement and Reporting Policy: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting
Brazil - Ministry of Environment
- National Policy on Climate Change (PNMC - Law 12.187/2009): PNMC
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