Measuring and Modeling Air Pollution and Noise Exposure Near Unconventional Oil and Gas Development in Colorado

Principal Investigator:
Jeffrey Collett
Professor and Department Head
Colorado State University
Principal Investigator:
Clay Bell
Research Scientist
Colorado State University Energy Institute
Principal Investigator:
Jeffrey Pierce
Professor
Colorado State University
Principal Investigator:
Lisa McKenzie
Clinical Assistant Professor
Colorado School of Public Health
Principal Investigator:
Mike Van Dyke
Associate Professor
Colorado School of Public Health
Principal Investigator:
Dan Zimmerle
Senior Research Associate
Colorado State University

The goal of this study is to develop community exposure profiles in the Colorado North Front Range for chemicals in the air as well as noise over the UOGD lifecycle, from site preparation through production of multi-well pads. This study will assess potential exposure pathways connecting UOGD chemical emissions to nearby communities and use the results to better understand the public health implications. The investigators will apply the following methods to achieve these goals:

  1. Use a combination of existing air quality data, innovative air quality measurements, and source apportionment models to quantify potential exposures.
  2. Collect noise measurements from UOGD operations to quantify potential exposures.
  3. In collaboration with the Hildebrandt Ruiz team, develop the "TRAcking Community Exposures and Releases" (TRACER) model for use in the Denver-Julesburg region to predict chemical emissions from specific UOGD processes. The teams will combine the predicted emissions with an air quality model to estimate concentrations of chemicals in the air.
  4. Evaluate model performance by comparing air quality monitoring data collected by this and the Franklin team with model predictions in the Denver-Julesburg region.

Collett Map

Collett Study Location

Media
File
Video file
Jeffrey Collett presents his research at the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission weekly meeting. August 31, 2022. Watch the full video on YouTube (Collett's talk begins at 1:00:46).
Jeffrey Collett
Jeffrey Collett

Research Team

Jeffrey Collett
Professor and Department Head
Colorado State University
Clay Bell
Research Scientist
Colorado State University Energy Institute
Jeffrey Pierce
Professor
Colorado State University
Lisa McKenzie
Clinical Assistant Professor
Colorado School of Public Health
Mike Van Dyke
Associate Professor
Colorado School of Public Health
Dan Zimmerle
Senior Research Associate
Colorado State University

Project Updates

Collett Quarterly Update - March 2023

Measuring and Modeling Air Pollution and Noise Exposure Near Unconventional Oil and Gas Development in Colorado

Jeffrey Collett

The goal of this study is to develop community exposure profiles in the Colorado North Front Range for chemicals in the air as well as noise over the UOGD lifecycle, from site preparation through production of multi-well pads. This study will assess potential exposure pathways connecting UOGD chemical emissions to nearby communities and use the results to better understand the public health implications. The investigators will apply the following methods to achieve these goals:

  1. Use a combination of existing air quality data, innovative air quality measurements, and source apportionment models to quantify potential exposures.
  2. Collect noise measurements from UOGD operations to quantify potential exposures.
  3. In collaboration with the Hildebrandt Ruiz team, develop the "TRAcking Community Exposures and Releases" (TRACER) model for use in the Denver-Julesburg region to predict chemical emissions from specific UOGD processes. The teams will combine the predicted emissions with an air quality model to estimate concentrations of chemicals in the air.
  4. Evaluate model performance by comparing air quality monitoring data collected by this and the Franklin team with model predictions in the Denver-Julesburg region.

What's Happened

  • Tested noise monitoring equipment, which is now ready for field deployment.
     
  • Met with oil and gas operators and service companies to gain insights into details of pre-production activities on well pads, including various drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies and approaches. 
     
  • Secured the cooperation of three oil and gas companies for information on timing of operations and site access.
     
  • Dr. Collett gave an invited keynote presentation on air emissions from UOGD development at the Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society in January 2023.
     
  • Worked with collaborators at the University of Texas to develop the TRACER emissions model for pre-production activities.

What's New

  • Analyzing data from Fall 2022 on volatile organic compound concentrations detected during drilling operations.
     
  • Deploying air and noise monitoring equipment in March 2023 during hydraulic fracturing.

What's Next

  • Obtain information from oil and gas operators on the timing of pre-production operations to help plan for air quality and noise monitoring at a well pad featuring a grid-powered, electrified drill rig and noise monitoring at another location with quieter electric equipment for hydraulic fracturing.
     
  • Continue collaboration with the University of Texas on the development of the TRACER emissions model, specifically to represent emissions during drilling and hydraulic fracturing.
Colorado detector
Figure 1: A detector stationed near a well pad in Colorado during drilling operations. The detector continuously measures volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and, when they are elevated, an air sample is collected for lab analysis to understand what individual VOCs are in it.

Upcoming Events:

  • Poster presentation at the HEI Annual Conference, Boston, MA (April 30-May 2).
Collett Quarterly Update - December 2022

Measuring and Modeling Air Pollution and Noise Exposure Near Unconventional Oil and Gas Development in Colorado

Jeffrey Collett

The goal of this study is to develop community exposure profiles in the Colorado North Front Range for chemicals in the air as well as noise over the UOGD lifecycle, from site preparation through production of multi-well pads. This study will assess potential exposure pathways connecting UOGD chemical emissions to nearby communities and use the results to better understand the public health implications. The investigators will apply the following methods to achieve these goals:

  1. Use a combination of existing air quality data, innovative air quality measurements, and source apportionment models to quantify potential exposures.
  2. Collect noise measurements from UOGD operations to quantify potential exposures.
  3. In collaboration with the Hildebrandt Ruiz team, develop the "TRAcking Community Exposures and Releases" (TRACER) model for use in the Denver-Julesburg region to predict chemical emissions from specific UOGD processes. The teams will combine the predicted emissions with an air quality model to estimate concentrations of chemicals in the air.
  4. Evaluate model performance by comparing air quality monitoring data collected by this and the Franklin team with model predictions in the Denver-Julesburg region.

What's Happened

  • Conducted two months of air monitoring around drilling operations.
  • Completed several stakeholder engagement activities: met with a local operator, gave a project overview presentation at the August 31, 2022 meeting of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, and spoke with residents wanting to learn more about UOGD emissions at a Climate Action Event in Longmont, Colorado.

What's New

  • Continuing air monitoring around drilling operations.
  • Continuing to define UOGD operational activities for inclusion in the TRACER model in collaboration with Colorado State University and University of Texas-Austin.
  • Reviewing past regional emissions data to define chemical patterns of emissions from specific UOGD operational activities.
Mobile monitoring of air quality near a well pad in the North Front Range during drilling operations.
Mobile monitoring of air quality near a well pad in the North Front Range during drilling operations.

What's Next

  • Meet with an additional local operator about additional UOGD monitoring in 2023.
  • Work with UT Austin to add estimates of drilling and hydraulic fracturing emissions to TRACER model.

Upcoming Events:

Dr. Collet to give a keynote talk on UOGD air emissions at the Annual Conference of the American Meteorological Society in Denver on January 9, 2023.

Collett Quarterly Update - September 2022

Measuring and Modeling Air Pollution and Noise Exposure Near Unconventional Oil and Gas Development in Colorado

Jeffrey Collett

The goal of this study is to develop community exposure profiles in the Colorado North Front Range for chemicals in the air as well as noise over the UOGD lifecycle, from site preparation through production of multi-well pads. This study will assess potential exposure pathways connecting UOGD chemical emissions to nearby communities and use the results to better understand the public health implications. The investigators will apply the following methods to achieve these goals:

  1. Use a combination of existing air quality data, innovative air quality measurements, and source apportionment models to quantify potential exposures.
  2. Collect noise measurements from UOGD operations to quantify potential exposures.
  3. In collaboration with the Hildebrandt Ruiz team, develop the "TRAcking Community Exposures and Releases" (TRACER) model for use in the Denver-Julesburg region to predict chemical emissions from specific UOGD processes. The teams will combine the predicted emissions with an air quality model to estimate concentrations of chemicals in the air.
  4. Evaluate model performance by comparing air quality monitoring data collected by this and the Franklin team with model predictions in the Denver-Julesburg region.

What's Happened

  • Procured noise and air quality monitoring equipment.
  • Conducted a project kickoff open house, drawing local community members, government officials, and industry representatives.
  • Identified initial well pads for noise and air quality monitoring near Longmont and Aurora, Colorado.
  • Analyzed past air quality monitoring data to identify chemical signatures of various UOGD operations.
  • Presented study design to Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Check out the presentation, here.
Amy Sullivan of Colorado State University at HEI Energy’s community open house in Longmont, CO. Sullivan showed attendees mobile air-quality monitoring instrumentation. (Image from a livestream video interview).
Amy Sullivan of Colorado State University at HEI Energy’s community open house in Longmont, CO. Sullivan showed attendees mobile air-quality monitoring instrumentation. (Image from a livestream video interview).

What's New

  • Testing new noise and air quality monitoring equipment for upcoming field deployment.
  • Securing permissions for siting monitoring equipment during initial field deployment.
  • Collaborating with the UT Austin team to develop the TRACER model.

What's Next

  • Deploy noise and air quality monitoring equipment during drilling operations at a UOGD well pad near Aurora, CO.
  • Develop the TRACER model to represent emissions during UOGD drilling.
  • Continue engagement with public and local government stakeholders near Aurora, CO well pad.