Petroleum Accountant’s Society of Oklahoma Update of Onshore Orders 3, 4, and 5 Richard Estabrook, BLM Washington Office (Ukiah, CA) Petroleum Accountant’s Society of Oklahoma February 12, 2015
DISCLAIMER These are draft proposed revisions; The BLM is not soliciting comments today; The BLM discourages you from paying attention to this presentation DISCLAIMER
Outline Overview of BLM jurisdiction, responsibility, and statistics Current measurement regulations Draft proposed changes Status and timeframes
Outline Overview of BLM jurisdiction, responsibility, and statistics Current measurement regulations Draft proposed changes Status and timeframes
BLM Jurisdiction and Responsibility (oil and gas) 245 million acres of public land (BLM) 325 million acres of other federal land 60 million acres of Indian trust land 57 million acres of split estate 700 million acres
BLM oil and gas responsibility: Leasing Permitting Inspection and Enforcement Drilling, plugging Environmental Proper measurement
Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Statistics (FY2013) 23,000 producing leases 12.6 million acres of producing leases 93,000 wells 135 million bbls/year of oil 2.6 trillion cubic feet of gas per year $3 billion in Federal royalty per year
Outline Overview of BLM jurisdiction, responsibility, and statistics Current measurement regulations Draft proposed changes Status and timeframes
Federal Onshore Measurement Regulations Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act 43 CFR Part 3160 § 3162.7-2 Oil Measurement § 3162.7-3 Gas Measurement § 3162.7-1 Disposition of Production NTL-4A Venting, flaring, bene. use, loss Onshore Order 3 Site Security Onshore Order 4 Oil Measurement Statewide NTLs EFCs Onshore Order 5 Gas Measurement
Onshore Order 3 – Site Security Seals (tanks and LACTS) Run tickets No meter bypasses Reporting of theft Self inspection Seal records: 6-year retention Site security plan Site facility diagram Federal seals
Onshore Order 4 – Oil Measurement Tank gauging procedures Tank sampling procedures LACT, positive displacement meter requirements LACT proving requirements Sediment and Water (S&W) determination API gravity determination Variance required for other methods (e.g. Coriolis) Incorporates numerous API standards (pre-1989)
Onshore Order 5 – Gas Measurement Flange and pipe tapped orifice plates: AGA Report 3 (1985) Chart recorders: calibration outer 2/3 Gas sampling: BTU determined once per year Calculations:
NTL 2007-1 Electronic Flow Computers Parallels Onshore Order 5 requirements Adopts AGA-8, API 14.3.3 (1992), and portions of API 21.1 (1993) Display requirements Instantaneous DP, SP, Temp, Flow rate Yesterday’s volume (except Wyoming) Calibration Transducer accuracy basis for calibration Operation Overall uncertainty ±3% for >100 Mcf/day Low-flow cutoff ≤0.5” Calculations per API 14.3.3 (1992) are OK
NTL-4A Addresses “beneficial use” Defines “avoidable” vs. “unavoidable” loss Sets standards for venting and flaring: Emergencies Testing Prohibits venting/flaring of “gas well” gas Venting/flaring of “oil well” gas for 1 year if justified and approved Reporting of gas used beneficially, vented, flared, or lost
Outline Overview of BLM jurisdiction, responsibility, and statistics Current measurement regulations Draft proposed changes Status and timeframes
Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act 43 CFR Part 3160 Existing Regulations Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act 43 CFR Part 3160 § 3162.7-2 Oil Measurement § 3162.7-3 Gas Measurement § 3162.7-1 Disposition of Production NTL-4A Venting, flaring, bene. use, loss Onshore Order 3 Site Security Onshore Order 4 Oil Measurement Statewide NTLs EFCs Onshore Order 5 Gas Measurement
Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act 43 CFR Part 3170 Proposed Revisions Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act 43 CFR Part 3170 § 3170 Records, variances, def’s § 3173 Site Security, comm, OLM, FMP § 3174 Oil Measurement § 3175 Gas Measurement § 3178 Beneficial Use § 3179 Venting, flaring, avoidable loss
Proposed Revisions Common to Part 3170 Definitions Records, including purchasers/transporters Tampering Variances Appeals and enforcement Major/minor, corrective action, timeframe Implemented through policy
Facility Measurement Points Off-lease measurement Proposed Revisions to Onshore Order 3 Site Security Facility Measurement Points Commingling Off-lease measurement
Subjects Covered Existing Proposed Revisions Seals – tanks and LACTs Run tickets (sales) Theft or mishandling Self inspection Site security plan Site facility diagram Federal seals Proposed Revisions Seals – tanks and LACTs Run tickets (sales) Record of all access Theft or mishandling Site facility diagram (added) Federal seals Facility Msmt. Points (FMP) Commingling Off-lease measurement
Facility Measurement Points Existing No consistent tracking of royalty meters or measurement facilities Measurement standards (Orders 4, 5) apply to “sales and allocation” facilities
Measurement must be on the lease [CA, unit] unless otherwise approved… 1-1 #1 #2 #8 1-2 #3 1-3 #9 2-1 #4 #5 2-2 #7 #6 NM-16113 2-3
Measurement must be on the lease [CA, unit] unless otherwise approved… 1-1 #1 #2 #8 1-2 #3 1-3 #9 2-1 #4 #5 2-2 #7 #6 NM-16113 2-3
Measurement must be on the lease [CA, unit] unless otherwise approved… 1-1 #1 #2 #8 1-2 #3 1-3 #9 2-1 #4 #5 2-2 #7 #6 NM-16113 2-3
Measurement must be on the lease [CA, unit] unless otherwise approved… 1-1 #1 #2 #8 1-2 #3 1-3 #9 2-1 #4 #5 2-2 #7 #6 NM-16113 2-3
Facility Measurement Points Proposed Revisions FMP: A measurement facility used in the calculation of royalty Requires BLM approval and would be assigned an FMP number by the BLM Measurement standards (3174, 3175) would only apply to FMPs Allocation meters would not be FMPs
Facility Measurement Points New facilities would require FMP number prior to removal of production Existing facilities within 18 or 24 months FMP number would be shown on all measurement equipment All documentation (including OGORs) would require FMP number
FMP:70-33011-1234
FMP#: 70-33011-1234
FMP#: 70-33011-1234
Questions about FMPs Does the new requirement for FMP numbers apply to both oil and gas? Yes. An FMP would include: - A gas meter - A LACT - An oil tank facility (multiple tanks) Would the reporting on the OGOR (card ‘C’) be at an FMP number? Yes
Questions about FMPs How are downhole commingling situations impacted by the new FMP requirement? An FMP can measure oil and gas from more than one lease, CA, or PA Are the reporting changes going to be prospective or retroactive? Prospective Who will assign the FMP number? BLM How will existing facilities get FMP numbers assigned? Operators will apply to BLM
Commingling Existing BLM can approve commingling IM 2013-152: BLM can approve if…
Category 1: Allocation doesn’t affect royalty Federal Lease 12.5% #1 1-2 Not FMPs FMP NMN-25533 #3 Federal Lease 12.5% #2 2-2 NMN-25211
Category 2: Marginal volume wells Fee lease #1 1-2 Not FMPs FMP #3 Federal Lease 12.5% #2 2-2 NMN-25211
Category 3: Other considerations - environmental Fee lease 1-2 FMP Not FMPs Federal Lease 12.5% 2-2 NMN-25211
Commingling Proposed The provisions of IM 2013-152 would generally be codified Would apply to existing commingling approvals
Proposed Revisions to Onshore Order 4 Oil Measurement
Subjects Covered Existing Proposed Revisions Industry standards (old) Tank gauging Sampling – S&W LACT components LACT proving Alternate methods Proposed Revisions Industry standards (new) Uncertainty standards Tank gauging Sampling – S&W LACT components Coriolis Meas. System Meter proving Measurement tickets Alternate methods
Proposed Revisions to Onshore Order 5 Gas Measurement
Subjects Covered Existing Proposed Revisions Industry standards (old) Orifice plate and charts Low-flow exemptions Chart recorders Btu once per year AGA 3 (1985) calcs Proposed Revisions Industry standards (new) List of approved equipment 4 tiers based on flow rate Meter tube inspections Charts ≤ 100 Mcf/day Integration statements Gauge line standards Dynamic sampling frequency Gas sampling and reporting Transducer testing protocol Flow computer testing prot. Calculations
Subjects Covered - EGM Existing (NTLs) Proposed Revisions API 21.1, API 14.2 (old) Displayed data On-site data LFCO = 0.5” Verification Gas expansion (B&B) Atmos. pressure IV not required Proposed Revisions API 21.1, API 14.2 (new) Displayed data On-site data LFCO = 0.5” Verification (initial and rtn.) Gas expansion (API 14.3.1) Atmos. Pressure (no cntrct) IV required Reporting raw data
Sampling Frequency Common practice: Higher volume meters: monthly Lower volume meters: quarterly Why?
Royalty Policy Committee (2007): “MMS and BLM should develop a procedure to determine the potential BTU variability of produced natural gas on a by-reservoir or by-lease basis, and estimate the implications for royalty payments” “MMS and BLM should adjust BTU frequency requirements for sampling and reporting on a case-by- case basis, or consider other regulatory requirements”
BLM Heating Value Study The goals… Determine heating value variability for each meter Correlate variability with variables (type of reservoir, type of lift, rich/lean gas, temperature…) Figure out appropriate sampling frequency
BLM Heating Value Study The data…
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2007 1280 True heating value? 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2007
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2007 1280 True heating value? 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2007
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2007 1280 1240 True heating value? 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2007
±2σ Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2007 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 Average 1120 1080 1040 2007
Variability vs Reservoir Type Coal bed methane Gas cap Retrograde Tight sands 100 200 300 400 500 600 Average sample period, days 5 10 15 20 V95% Variability vs Reservoir Type
Variability vs Lift Type Flowing Pump jack Plunger lift 100 200 300 400 500 600 Average sample period, days 5 10 15 20 V95% Variability vs Lift Type Figure 15
Variability vs Separator No separator Separator 5 10 15 20 100 200 300 400 500 600 Average sample period, days V95% Variability vs Separator
Variability vs Pressure > 500 psi < 50 psi 50 – 500 psi 5 10 15 20 100 200 300 400 500 600 Average sample period, days V95% Variability vs Pressure
Variability vs Heating Value > 1141 Btu/scf < 1081 1081 - 1141 5 10 15 20 100 200 300 400 500 600 Average sample period, days V95% Variability vs Heating Value
Variability vs Flow Rate 5 10 15 20 25 < 50 Mcf/day 50 - 100 100 - 500 > 500 100 200 300 400 500 600 Average sample period, days V95% Variability vs Flow Rate
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2007 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 Average 1120 1080 1040 2007
BLM Heating Value Study Conclusion Heating value variability is random and meter specific
BLM Heating Value Study Conclusions Heating value variability is random and meter specific Assume variability is randomly distributed around the true average Look at the accuracy of annual average heating value, not the accuracy of each sample
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2007 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 Average 1120 1080 1040 2007
1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2007
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #1 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #2 Heating Value History - 2007 1280 1240 Average 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2007
Meter #2 Heating Value History - 2007 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2007
Meter #2 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #2 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #2 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #2 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #2 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #2 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #2 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #2 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #2 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #2 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #2 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #2 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Meter #2 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
BLM Heating Value Study More conclusions: Set performance standard for average annual heating value uncertainty High historic variability = more samples Low historic variability = less samples Incentive for good sampling practice
Meter #2 Heating Value History - 2010 1280 1240 1200 Heating Value, Btu/scf 1160 1120 1080 1040 2010
Questions about Btu determination Currently, the BLM requires Btu sampling at least once a year, while ONRR is requiring it to be done at least twice a year. Who has jurisdiction on this issue? Both. Operators would comply with both requirements by sampling twice per year What could be changing? New sampling frequencies may be proposed in the 3175
Questions about venting and flaring Will the BLM require venting (non-tank) and flaring from gas operations to be reported on the OGOR? Is there a situation where this may be royalty bearing? OGOR reporting requirements are the jurisdiction of ONRR NTL-4A already requires the reporting of vented/flared volumes Under NTL-4A it could be royalty bearing if it is unapproved or deemed to be avoidably lost
Questions about venting and flaring Will tank venting require measurement and reporting on the OGOR as “flash gas” or “vapor recovery” or some other report type? If this is NOT sold (ie. flared or combusted) would it be royalty bearing?
Outline Overview of BLM jurisdiction, responsibility, and statistics Current measurement regulations Draft proposed changes Status and timeframes
Status and Timeframe 3173, 3174, 3175 currently under review by the Secretary’s Office Draft published in the Federal Register by July, 2015 Final published by August, 2016