Primary Author / Conference Presenter:
Anu Vij
Chief Operating Officer
Ship & Shore Environmental
Signal Hill, California, USA
www.ShipandShoreEnvironmental.com

Conventional oil and gas drilling for commercial purposed has been taking place for more than 100 years in the United States, however, during recent times a variety of unconventional extraction/drilling techniques are being used to improve the efficiency of return of oil and gas to surface. One such technique which is widely adopted across the country is Hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’). This process involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals under high pressure into a bedrock formation via the well. Hydraulic fracturing is a well-stimulation technique used commonly in low-permeability rocks like tight sandstone, shale, and some coal beds to increase oil and/or gas flow to a well from petroleum-bearing rock formations. However, this fracking process has adverse effects on the atmosphere due fugitive air contaminant emissions which primarily involves methane and other VOCs, PM, NOx, CO and H2S. In this session, Anu Vij, COO of Ship & Shore Environmental, Inc. will explore various technologies available to handle these emissions including Flare, Enclosed Vapor Combustors and Thermal Oxidizers. He will discuss how the selection of the APC depends on various factors such as environmental impacts, process requirements, local air quality agency regulation and economic considerations.