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Comment by Dion Warr, CPL on August 10, 2009 at 19:10

TXSharon:

Ah, welcome back... wondering where you had been.

Where to begin:

Your list of contaminants takes up two whole screens worth of data... The data could probably be summarized briefly as follows: emissions from gas well sites contain... mostly hydrocarbons produced from a gas well which is also producing small amounts of condensate. Based upon the fugitive emissions argument that you present, one could almost eliminate these methods of pollution by eliminating the production of natural gas and just producing... coal.

Methane and ethane is pretty much... natural gas. These are single- and two-carbon molecules.
Propane is a three-carbon molecule that is generally compressed, bottled, and used to run lanterns and camp stoves, of all things.
Butane (and its isomer, isobutane, conspicuously left off of your list) are four-carbon molecules commonly found in cigarette lighters and torches.
Assorted pentanes (you list three) are all five carbon chain molecules which are used primarily for fuel, carrier gas for spray cans, and solvent. N-pentane is 'straight chain' pentane, I-pentane (aka isopentane) is a branch-chain isomer of the same compound. Cyclopentane - five carbon ring.
Assorted hexanes (you list six): N- (straight-chain), and three isomers; cyclohexane - six carbon ring, and methylcyclopentane (essentially an isomer of cyclohexane) - these are all found commonly in gasoline.
Assorted heptanes (you list five): N- (straight-chain), and two methylhexane isomers; also two cyclic seven-carbon molecules (methylcyclohexane and dimethylcyclopentanes) - also present in the gasoline 'cut', but not as desirable as hexanes and octanes.
Octane - 8 carbon molecule present in gasoline
Nonane - 9 carbon molecule present less in gasoline and more commonly in Coleman fuel and light naptha products and in solvents
Decane - 10 carbon molecule, ditto, and also in diesel and aviation fuel
Undecane - 11 carbon molecule...
Dodecane - 12 carbon molecule found primarily in diesel fuel

Unfortunately, aromatics (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, mixed xylenes are a byproduct of any petroleum production. Except for benzene and ethylbenzene (which are tightly controlled as a product and limited in other products), these compounds are also present in many consumer products as solvents and carriers for other organic compounds.

Why not explain this in a common-sense manner, instead of trying to use intimidating-sounding chemical names for shock value? I mean, how many people would want to be anywhere near (9Z)-Octadec-9-enoic Acid and (9Z,12Z)-Octadeca-9,12-dienoic Acid, or Mixed Straight and Branch-Chain Polysaccharides, much less ingest it, unless they knew that these were the primary components of Olive Oil and Corn Starch?

While there is certainly room for improvement, and vapor recovery systems could be easiest application that could be implemented to reduce its atmospheric footprint, it probably bears mentioning (for comparison) that even at 200 tpd, the amount of VOC released would represent 0.41% of the total mass of natural gas produced in the Barnett Shale area, irrespective of other hydrocarbons produced and/or consumed in E&P operations, and represents a partial source to overall pollution in the area.

Comment by TXsharon on August 10, 2009 at 11:57

Industry has exemptions from the CLEAN AIR ACT.

Comment by Terry L. Antee on August 10, 2009 at 11:35

There are laws about emissions, look under EPA

Comment by TXsharon on August 10, 2009 at 11:01

No one is demonizing the gas sector! How is it demonizing to expect them to be accountable for their pollution? Fugitive emissions are easily remedied and industry should install emission controls or it will be the taxpayers who pay for this pollution while industry profits.

Comment by Terry L. Antee on August 10, 2009 at 10:48

The demonazation of the oil and gas sector is the first step in taking over the oil and gas industry by the government. This comes after taking over the health care system. Next if you fart they will be after you.

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