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Notes

43 C.F.R. §§ 3175.113–3175.115

3 sections in range

§3175.113. Spot samples—general requirements.

43 C.F.R. § 3175.113

(a)
If an FMP is not flowing at the time that a sample is due, a sample must be taken within 15 days after flow is re-initiated. Documentation of the non-flowing status of the FMP must be entered into GARVS as required under § 3175.120(f).
(b)
The operator must notify the AO at least 72 hours before obtaining a spot sample as required by this subpart, or submit a monthly or quarterly schedule of spot samples to the AO in advance of taking samples.
(c)
Sample cylinder requirements. Sample cylinders must:
(1)
Comply with API 14.1, Subsection 9.1 (incorporated by reference, see § 3175.30);
(2)
Have a minimum capacity of 300 cubic centimeters; and
(3)
Be cleaned before sampling under GPA 2166-05, Appendix A (incorporated by reference, see § 3175.30), or an equivalent method. The operator must maintain documentation of cleaning (see § 3170.7), have the documentation available on site during sampling, and provide it to the BLM upon request.
(d)
Spot sampling using portable gas chromatographs.
(1)
Sampling separators, if used, must—
(i)
Be constructed of stainless steel;
(ii)
Be cleaned under GPA 2166-05, Appendix A (incorporated by reference, see § 3175.30), or an equivalent method, prior to sampling. The operator must maintain documentation of cleaning (see § 3170.7), have the documentation available on site during sampling, and provide it to the BLM upon request; and
(iii)
Be operated under GPA 2166-05, Appendix B.3 (incorporated by reference, see § 3175.30).
(2)
The sample port and inlet to the sample line must be purged using the gas being sampled before completing the connection between them.
(3)
The portable GC must be operated, verified, and calibrated under § 3175.118.
(4)
The documentation of verification or calibration required in § 3175.118(d) must be available for inspection by the BLM at the time of sampling.
(5)
Minimum number of samples and analyses.
(i)
For low- and very-low-volume FMPs, at least three samples must be taken and analyzed;
(ii)
For high-volume FMPs, samples must be taken and analyzed until the difference between the maximum heating value and minimum heating value calculated from three consecutive analyses is less than or equal to 16 Btu/scf;
(iii)
For very-high-volume FMPs, samples must be taken and analyzed until the difference between the maximum heating value and minimum heating value calculated from three consecutive analyses is less than or equal to 8 Btu/scf.
(6)
The heating value and relative density used for OGOR reporting must be:
(i)
The mean heating value and relative density calculated from the three analyses required in paragraph (d)(5) of this section;
(ii)
The median heating value and relative density calculated from the three analyses required in paragraph (d)(5) of this section; or
(iii)
Any other method approved by the BLM.
Notes, amendments, and revision history

Source

Source: 81 FR 81609, Nov. 17, 2016, unless otherwise noted.

Authority

Authority: 25 U.S.C. 396d and 2107; 30 U.S.C. 189, 306, 359, and 1751; and 43 U.S.C. 1732(b), 1733, and 1740.

Source

Source: 81 FR 81421, Nov. 17, 2016, unless otherwise noted.

§3175.114. Spot samples—allowable methods.

43 C.F.R. § 3175.114

(a)
Spot samples must be obtained using one of the following methods:
(1)
Purging—fill and empty method. Samples taken using this method must comply with GPA 2166-05, Section 9.1 (incorporated by reference, see § 3175.30);
(2)
Helium “pop” method. Samples taken using this method must comply with GPA 2166-05, Section 9.5 (incorporated by reference, see § 3175.30). The operator must maintain documentation demonstrating that the cylinder was evacuated and pre-charged before sampling and make the documentation available to the AO upon request;
(3)
Floating piston cylinder method. Samples taken using this method must comply with GPA 2166-05, Sections 9.7.1 to 9.7.3 (incorporated by reference, see § 3175.30). The operator must maintain documentation of the seal material and type of lubricant used and make the documentation available to the AO upon request;
(4)
Portable gas chromatograph. Samples taken using this method must comply with § 3175.118; or
(5)
Other methods approved by the BLM (through the PMT) and posted at www.blm.gov.
(b)
If the operator uses either a purging—fill and empty method or a helium “pop” method, and if the flowing pressure at the sample port is less than or equal to 15 psig, the operator may also employ a vacuum-gathering system. Samples taken using a vacuum-gathering system must comply with API 14.1, Subsection 11.10 (incorporated by reference, see § 3175.30), and the samples must be obtained from the discharge of the vacuum pump.
Notes, amendments, and revision history

Source

Source: 81 FR 81609, Nov. 17, 2016, unless otherwise noted.

Authority

Authority: 25 U.S.C. 396d and 2107; 30 U.S.C. 189, 306, 359, and 1751; and 43 U.S.C. 1732(b), 1733, and 1740.

Source

Source: 81 FR 81421, Nov. 17, 2016, unless otherwise noted.

§3175.115. Spot samples—frequency.

43 C.F.R. § 3175.115

(a)
Unless otherwise required under paragraph (b) of this section, spot samples for all FMPs must be taken and analyzed at the frequency (once during every period, stated in months) prescribed in Table 1 to § 3175.110.
(b)
After the time frames listed in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the BLM may change the required sampling frequency for high-volume and very-high-volume FMPs if the BLM determines that the sampling frequency required in Table 1 in § 3175.110 is not sufficient to achieve the heating value uncertainty levels required in § 3175.31(b).
(1)
Timeframes for implementation.
(i)
For high-volume FMPs, the BLM may change the sampling frequency no sooner than 2 years after the FMP begins measuring gas or January 19, 2021, whichever is later; and
(ii)
For very-high-volume FMPs, the BLM may change the sampling frequency or require compliance with paragraph (b)(5) of this section no sooner than 1 year after the FMP begins measuring gas or January 17, 2020, whichever is later.
(2)
The BLM will calculate the new sampling frequency needed to achieve the heating value uncertainty levels required in § 3175.31(b). The BLM will base the sampling frequency calculation on the heating value variability. The BLM will notify the operator of the new sampling frequency.
(3)
The new sampling frequency will remain in effect until the heating value variability justifies a different frequency.
(4)
The new sampling frequency will not be more frequent than once every 2 weeks nor less frequent than once every 6 months.
(5)
For very-high-volume FMPs, the BLM may require the installation of a composite sampling system or on-line GC if the heating value uncertainty levels in § 3175.31(b) cannot be achieved through spot sampling. Composite sampling systems or on-line gas chromatographs that are installed and operated in accordance with this section comply with the uncertainty requirement of § 3175.31(b)(2).
(c)
The time between any two samples must not exceed the timeframes shown in Table 1 to this section.
(d)
If a composite sampling system or an on-line GC is installed under § 3175.116 or § 3175.117, either on the operator's own initiative or in response to a BLM order for a very-high-volume FMP under paragraph (b)(5) of this section, it must be installed and operational no more than 30 days after the due date of the next sample.
(e)
The required sampling frequency for an FMP at which a composite sampling system or an on-line gas chromatograph is removed from service is prescribed in paragraph (a) of this section.
Notes, amendments, and revision history

Source

Source: 81 FR 81609, Nov. 17, 2016, unless otherwise noted.

Authority

Authority: 25 U.S.C. 396d and 2107; 30 U.S.C. 189, 306, 359, and 1751; and 43 U.S.C. 1732(b), 1733, and 1740.

Source

Source: 81 FR 81421, Nov. 17, 2016, unless otherwise noted.