On October 22, 2015, U.S. EPA published a final rule amending the greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting requirements for the petroleum and natural gas systems source category, 40 CFR Part 98, Subpart W. The final amendments to Subpart W require the reporting of GHG emissions from completions and workovers of oil wells with hydraulic fracturing as part of the existing Onshore Petroleum and Natural Gas Production industry segment. Requirements were also added for two new industry segments: (1) the Onshore Petroleum and Natural Gas Gathering and Boosting segment for petroleum and natural gas gathering and boosting systems, and (2) the Onshore Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline segment for transmission pipeline blowdowns between compressor stations.
The amendments are effective on January 1, 2016. Accordingly, the first annual reports of GHG emissions calculated using the amended requirements will be those submitted for reporting year 2016 (due on or before March 31, 2017).