TCEQ Full Review of Armendariz Study of Barnett Shale Pollution

Analysis of Emissions from Natural Gas Production in the Barnett Shale

Barnett Shale Emissions Inventory (EI). The author’s assertions are based on incomparable data and exaggerate the relative significance of the emissions from the Barnett Shale with regard to ozone formation in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) ozone nonattainment area.

• For example, the report compares oil and natural gas exploration and production (E&P) nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions and volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions from a 21-county area encompassing the Barnett Shale to only the on-road mobile portion of the nine-county DFW ozone nonattainment area EI.
• On-road mobile emissions comprise 46 percent of the anthropogenic Barnett Shale NOX EI and approximately 60 percent of the DFW area NOX EI.
• NOX emissions from E&P sources are well characterized in the TCEQ point and area source emissions inventories, and are not “unknown” or “unnoticed,” as the report claims. Comparisons presented in the table below illustrate this point. 
• The 2007 TCEQ engine surveycategorized area source engines by type, load, and horsepower rating, as well as estimating NOX emissions. These data were not readily available in the emissions inventory, but were necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of different control strategies.
• This TCEQ survey verified that NOX emissions estimates in the inventory were substantially correct. By confusing NOX emissions estimates with engine specifications, Dr. Armendariz misrepresents the quality and integrity of the TCEQ emissions inventory.

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