A large independent exploration & production company recently selected the EcoVapor ZerO2™ oxygen removal system for eliminating tank flaring at operated well sites located in the Bakken oil shale play of North Dakota. Although EcoVapor standard E300 ZerO2 units have been operating reliably in North Dakota, these are the first E100s to be deployed to the Williston Basin.
The Problem
The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) estimates there are 2,700 central tank batteries in the state and approximately one-third of the producing wells in the Bakken have production rates equal to or less than 65 barrels of oil per day (BOPD). These older wells exhibit relatively shallow decline rates.
As produced liquids sit in storage tanks, entrained oxygen comes out of solution and quickly rises to levels that exceed pipeline specification, presenting a serious hazard to both pipeline infrastructure and people. As a result, tank vapors contaminated with oxygen have to be flared. Flaring the BTU-rich tank vapors not only generates additional emissions, but it also wastes what is typically the most valuable gas stream on site.
The U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA) reported in December 2022 that of the 916,934 wells producing in the U.S., over 800,000 of them produce less than 100 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) per day. The ability to efficiently capture low volumes of tank vapor and reduce emissions can aid in sustaining legacy wells, which represent a significant source of energy.
Converting Waste to Revenue – Putting Out the Tank Flare
The E100 oxygen removal unit uses the same technology as our standard E300, only downsized to operate economically at lower volumes. A smaller, more compact unit makes the E100 less expensive and ideal for older wells further down on the decline curve.
In April 2023, we started up the first E100 units in North Dakota. Installation for each unit required less than a day and were completed without any interruptions to normal operations or downtime. Once online, the units were working reliably and 100% of the tank vapor gas was being captured and sold.
The producer is selling approximately 60 MCF of tank vapor gas per day having 2,500 Btu/scf of energy content, and the tank flares are used only in emergency situations.
See the ZerO2 E100 Launch Webinar
“We are excited about these first E100 units in the Bakken, building on EcoVapor’s footprint in this large and established oil producing region. ZerO2 technology is an environmental performance technology that simultaneously reduces emissions and improves profitability. Given North Dakota’s aggressive gas capture objectives, the E100 is ideal for helping operators extend the economic lives of older wells, providing operators with a true life-of-well solution for eliminating tank flaring.”
Jason Roe, EcoVapor Vice President
About EcoVapor
EcoVapor, a DNOW company, provides gas treating solutions to both geologic and biogas production problems. Our fleet of proprietary ZerO2 oxygen removal (deoxo) units has grown to a fleet of nearly 300 since 2010, operating reliably for leading producers in all major U.S. basins. ZerO2 technology helps Oil & Gas and biogas producers convert waste gas streams into revenue by treating gas to meet pipeline specifications so it can be sold instead of vented or flared, generating incremental value while reducing emissions and improving environmental performance.
EcoVapor is headquartered in Denver, Colorado and has field locations in Greeley, Colorado and Midland, Texas.
Contact
EcoVapor Recovery Systems (a DNOW Company)
Email: ecovapor.info@dnow.com
Phone: 844-NOFLARE (844-663-5273)
Sales: Joe Hedges (281-615-2072)