Measurement of Hydrocarbon and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Uncharacterized Area Sources

This project will quantify emissions from uncharacterized area sources, including produced water evaporation ponds, land farms, areas with natural (and human-enhanced) geological seepage, and soils near wells in Utah's Uintah Basin. These sources have never been quantified but likely contribute significantly to overall ozone-forming hydrocarbon and greenhouse gas emissions. Quantification will improve the accuracy and efficacy of air quality decisions made by operators while expanding the pool of characterized emission sources that can be used in emissions reductions schemes required by air quality regulators in the Uintah Basin and other areas. Emissions from facilities that employ different solid and liquid waste management strategies will be tested to determine the air emissions impact of each strategy.