Local Factors
What is a Local factor?
A set of specific conditions that increase an operator’s exposure to risk, either in severity or probability. These are typically outside of the operator’s control.
Navigate the below categories to understand how the assessment defines various local risk factors by severity
(Bin 0 = Low Risk | Bin 5 = High Risk)
Environmental
Air Sensitivity
Bin 0
N/A
Bin 1
County AQI Average for Ozone <25
Bin 2
County AQI Average for Ozone <35
Bin 3
County AQI Average for Ozone <45
Bin 4
County AQI Average for Ozone <55
Bin 5
County AQI Average for Ozone >65
Ground Water Sensitivity How sensitive is local ground water?
Bin 0
At the time of certification depth to ground water >100'
Bin 1
At the time of certification depth to groundwater is between 100' - 75'
Bin 2
At the time of certification depth to groundwater is between 75' - 50'
Bin 3
At the time of certification depth to groundwater is between 50' - 25'
Bin 4
At the time of certification depth to groundwater is between 25' - 10'
If operations occur in wetlands, select this box
Bin 5
At the time of certification depth to groundwater <10'
Local Aquifer Is there groundwater at this location? And is it used for drinking?
Bin 0
No residential considerations within operations
Bin 1
No private wells are within a 3 mile radius of the drilling site
Bin 2
Private wells are within a 2-3 mile radius of operations
Bin 3
Private wells are within a 1-2 mile radius of the location
Bin 4
Private wells are <1 mile from location
Bin 5
Private wells are in the immediate vicinity of drilling and completion operations
Local Seismic Activity How significant is local seismic activity?
Bin 0
N/A
Bin 1
There has been no reported seismic activity in the area
Bin 2
Seismic activity is extremely rare, but has been reported in the region
Bin 3
Seismic activity is prevalent and local governing bodies monitor activity closely
Bin 4
Seismic activity is very common, and reduction in rates and volumes is occasionally required
Bin 5
Seismic is activity is severe and complete shut-downs are common
Precipitation Severity How severe is local precipitation?
Bin 0
Precipitation is <6" per year
Bin 1
Precipitation is <12" per year
Bin 2
Precipitation is between 12-18" per year
Bin 3
Precipitation is between 18-24" per year
Bin 4
Precipitation >24" per year with frequent flooding that hinders operations
Bin 5
Percipitations >24" per year with frequent flooding and flash flooding. Percipitation frequently hinders operations and presents severe safety hazards for field personnel
Surface Injection Pressure How high is the surface injection pressure?
Bin 0
Surface injection pressure is <25% of its maximum allowable pressure.
Bin 1
Surface injection pressure is between 25% - 50% of its maximum injection pressure
Bin 2
Surface injection pressure is between 50% - 75% of its maximum injection pressure
Bin 3
Surface injection pressure is between 75% - 100% of its maximum injection pressure
Bin 4
Surface injection is at 100% maximum pressure and occasional reduction must be implemented for operational integrity
Bin 5
Facility is consistently shutting down as a result of breaching maximum pressure
Surface Water Sensitivity How sensitive is the local surface water?
Bin 0
At the time of certification drought conditions were D0
Bin 1
At the time of certification drought conditions were D1
Bin 2
At the time of certification drought conditions were D2
Bin 3
At the time of certification drought conditions were D3
Bin 4
At the time of certification drought conditions were D4
Bin 5
At the time of certification drought conditions were D5
Weather Severity How severe is local weather?
Bin 0
N/A
Bin 1
Weather remains relatively consistent throughout the year
Temperature fluctuations are limited and weather incidents are unlikely (i.e. blizzards, heat waves, etc.)
Bin 2
Weather has moderate seasonal temperature fluctuations
Chances of a severe weather incident are minimal
Bin 3
Weather has 4 clear seasons with temperatures and hazards associated to each season
Bin 4
Weather has severe and often unexpected temperature changes
Weather incidents are severe and have the potential to disrupt operations
Bin 5
Severe weather often results in disruptions to production and presents significant safety risk to personnel
Community
Community Sensitivity How sensitive is the local community?
Bin 0
Operations occur in an area sparcely populated and only on private land
Bin 1
The community is actively supportive of O&G operations and local employment is greatly dependent on operations
Bin 2
The community is comfortable with O&G operations and has an established history/relationship with the business
Bin 3
The community is relatively split on the O&G business. Incidents could have an impact on the local area and/or environment
Bin 4
The community is sensitive towards operations and any incidents would have significant impact on the local area and/or restrictive of future operations.
Includes areas with extreme poverty and tribal lands
Bin 5
Community is actively opposed to O&G operations. Any incidents would have major (long-term) impacts on the local area and/or environment
Land Sensitivity How sensitive is the local land?
Bin 0
N/A
Bin 1
Operations occur on private land with no high risk areas in the vicinity (i.e. wetlands, migratory routes, etc.)
Bin 2
Operations occur on private land but lands that have environmental considerations beyond ownership
Bin 3
Operations occur on public lands including BLM/state ownership
Bin 4
Operations occur on tribal lands and/or lands of historical/cultural significance
Includes operations that occur within city/township limits and/or bordering neighborhoods
Bin 5
Operations occur inside of a National or State Park
Property Value How sensitive to oil & gas operations are the local properties?
Bin 0
Average value per acre is less than $2500
Bin 1
Average value per acre is between $2,500 - $4,000
Bin 2
Average value per acre is between $4,000 - $5,000
Bin 3
Average value per acre is between $5,000 - $6,000
Bin 4
Average value per acre is between $5,000 - $7,500
Bin 5
Average value per acre is above $7,500
Travel Distance How significant is the travel time/distance to location?
Bin 0
N/A
Bin 1
Locations <1 hour from field offices and travel is on high quality roads with minimal traffic
Bin 2
Locations between 1-2 hours from field offices, roads are quality and traffic is present but not problematic
Bin 3
Locations >2 hours from field offices and travel is often conducted on roads that have limited maintenance
Bin 4
Travel >2 hours from field offices and travel is often on poor road conditions with limited or no maintenance
Bin 5
Travel >3 hours from field office on dangerous road conditions
Operations
Completion Operation Size How large is the completion operation?
Bin 0
The operator is not currently conducting completion operations
Bin 1
Operations require limited/usual personnel and do not have a noticeable effect on the surrounding area
Bin 2
Operations require base personnel and have minimal effect on surrounding area
Bin 3
Operations can cause inconveniences to the surrounding population during mobilization and/or require extra personnel
Bin 4
Operations frequently disrupts everyday life for the surrounding area as a result of increased traffic, noise, & light.
If noise & light mitigation are required by regulation, select this box
If noise & light mitigation are required by regulation, select this box
Bin 5
Operations require the relocation of individuals for > 2 weeks
Drilling Operation SizeHow large is the drilling operation?
Bin 0
The operator is not currently conducting drilling operations
Bin 1
Operations require limited/usual personnel and do not have a noticeable effect on the surrounding area
Bin 2
Operations require base personnel and have minimal effect on surrounding area
Bin 3
Operations can cause inconveniences to the surrounding population during mobilization and/or require extra personnel
Bin 4
Operations frequently disrupts everyday life for the surrounding area as a result of increased traffic, noise, & light.
If noise & light mitigation are required by regulation, select this box
If noise & light mitigation are required by regulation, select this box
Bin 5
Operations require the relocation of individuals for > 2 weeks
Fracture Pressure (PSI) How high are surface pressures during the fracture operation?
Bin 0
The operator is not completing wells
Bin 1
Surface pressure <7,500 psi
Bin 2
Surface pressure >7,500 psi and <8,500 psi
Bin 3
Surface pressure >8,500 psi and <9,500 psi
Bin 4
Surface pressure >9,500 psi and <12,000 psi
Bin 5
Surface pressure >12,000 psi
Fracture (Completion) Volume How large, volume wise, is the fracture operation?
Bin 0
The operator is not completing wells
Bin 1
Frac operations uses <2 million gallons
Bin 2
Frac operations uses between 2 million gallons - 5 million gallons
Bin 3
Frac operations uses between 5 million gallons - 8 million gallons
Bin 4
Frac operations uses between 8 million gallons - 12 million gallons
Bin 5
Frac operations uses >12 million gallons
Injection Fluid Volume How much SW is injected?
Bin 0
How much SW is injected?
Bin 1
The SW volume injected is <1/2 regulatory restrictions
Bin 2
The SW volume injected is less than regulatory restrictions but >1/2 regulatory limits
Bin 3
Volume injected is right on par with regulatory limits
Bin 4
Volume injected is at max capacity and has exceeded limits on occasion
Bin 5
Volume injected frequently breaks regulatory limits
Injection Rate How high is SWD injection rate?
Bin 0
The SW injection rate is less than 1/4 regulatory restrictions
Bin 1
The SW injection rate is <1/2 regulatory restrictions
Bin 2
The SW injection rate is less than regulatory restrictions but >1/2 regulatory limits
Bin 3
Injection rate is right on par with regulatory limits
Bin 4
Injection rate is at max capacity and has exceeded limits on occasion
Bin 5
Injection rate frequently breaks regulatory limits
Measured Depth How long is the total length of the well?
Bin 0
N/A
Bin 1
Well is vertical and <7,500' MD
Bin 2
Wells may be vertical or horizontal but ranges between 7,500' - 15,000' MD
Bin 3
Well is horizontal and between 15,000' - 20,000' MD
Bin 4
Well is >20,000' MD but that is common for the area
Bin 5
Well is >20,000' MD and requires specialized equipment and techniques to achieve TD
Offset Activity How significant is the risk of offset wells during the drilling/fracturing operation?
Bin 0
No immediate offset drilling activity and the operator controls any drilling activity within the area
Bin 1
There is no immediate offset activity. However active drilling is occurring in the field
Bin 2
Offset activity can be observed in the immediate area but is not a concern to operations
Bin 3
Offset activity is nearby and must be considered during day to day activities
Bin 4
Offset activity is nearby and presents serious threats to the operation
Bin 5
Offset activity is nearby and frequently causes shut-downs and threats to operations
Pit Age How old are pits on site?
Bin 0
No pits utilized N/A
Bin 1
Pits are less than 1 year of age
Bin 2
Pits are between 1-5 years of age
Bin 3
Pits are between 5-10 years of age
Bin 4
Pits are between 10-20 years of age
Bin 5
Pits are greater than 20 years of age
Pit Fluids How risky are fluids stored in pits?
Bin 0
No pits utilized N/A
Bin 1
Only fresh water is stored in pits
Bin 2
Pits are used for surface casing only and water-based fluids are returned to pits
Bin 3
Pits are used for surface casing only and water-based fluids and are in an environmentally sensitive area
Bin 4
Pits are used for both water-based mud and oil based mud
Bin 5
Pits are used for both water-based mud and oil based mud and are in an environmentally sensitive area
Pit Size How large are any pits on site?
Bin 0
No pits utilized N/A
Bin 1
Pits are small <100 bbls
Bin 2
Pits range from 100-500 bbls
Bin 3
Pits range from 500-1,500 bbls
Bin 4
Pits are >1,500 bbls each
Bin 5
Pits are >1,500 bbls each AND contain all fluids produced or injected
Production
Facility Age How old is the facility?
Bin 0
Facility is less than 1 years of age
Bin 1
Facility is between 1-2 years of age
Bin 2
Facility is between 2-3 years of age
Bin 3
Facility is between 3-5 years of age
Bin 4
Facility is between 5-7 years of age
Bin 5
Facility is greater than 7 years of age
Flow Potential What is the uncontrolled flow potential of this well?
Bin 0
Well is incapable of production
Bin 1
Well has been on artificial lift for more than 3 years and cannot flow w/o artificial lift
Bin 2
Well has been on artificial lift for less than 3 years but low potential to flow without artificial stimulation
Bin 3
The well is not on artificial lift but history of well control is well understood throughout the basin
Bin 4
Well control issues are prevalent in the field, specialized equipment is often necessary when drilling
Bin 5
Wildcat well, new area with unknown subsurface properties
Gas Production Volume How much gas is produced?
Bin 0
Well is shut in
Bin 1
Minimal gas produced or well later in life (<2,500 MCF/Day)
Bin 2
Well has levelled off on its decline and is currently producing (2,500 - 5,000 MCF/Day)
Bin 3
Well has peaked production but still producing at a high level (5,000 - 10,000 MCF/Day)
Bin 4
Well is either still increasing production or holding (>10,000 MCF/Day)
Bin 5
Wildcat well, unsure what production level may be achieved
H2S Conc How significant are H2S concerns?
Bin 0
H2S has not been observed in the basin
Bin 1
H2S is extremely rare in the basin and the operator has never observed an incident of H2S >10 ppm
Bin 2
H2S is produced at low levels, and only requires personnel to have H2S monitors (levels 10-50 PPM)
Bin 3
H2S is produced in the basin and though likelihood of incidents is rare, personnel are required to carry monitors and complete specialized training (levels between 50-100 ppm)
Bin 4
H2S is produced at moderate levels and any operations require special equipment and training (levels in the basin <100 ppm)
Bin 5
H2S is extremely prevalent personnel is strictly prohibited from field operations without proper planning, training, and equipment
Onsite Chemical Volume How much chemical volume is stored onsite?
Bin 0
No onsite chemical storage
Bin 1
Onsite chemical volume is minimal and usually between 1-3 drums
Bin 2
Onsite chemical volume is minimal and between 3-5 drums
Bin 3
Onsite chemical is moderate between 5-10 drums
Bin 4
Onsite chemical is excessive and >10 drums
Bin 5
Onsite chemical exceeds 10 drums and contains highly hazardous chemicals
Corrosive Production FluidsHow corrosive is production fluid?
Bin 0
Dry gas field with extremely low water production
Bin 1
Primarily gas field with some water production
Bin 2
Primarily gas production but condensate and/or oil are also produced in small volumes
Bin 3
Gas, oil, and condensate are all produced regularly
Bin 4
Production includes CO2 and/or H2S leading to enhanced corrosion requirements
Bin 5
Production includes CO2 AND H2S resulting in significant equipment failures and requiring specialized PPE
Hazardous Fluid Storage
Produced Fluid Volume How much fluid is produced?
Bin 0
Dry gas field. No oil production
Bin 1
Produced oil/condensate has leveled off and is <100 bbls/day per pad
Bin 2
Produced oil/condensate is declining and between 100-500 bbls/day
Bin 3
Produced oil/condensate is between 500-1,500 bbls/day
Bin 4
Produced oil/condensate is >1,500 bbls/day and trending upward
Bin 5
Produced volume is at absolute peak volume based on facility capacity
Produced Water Volume How much water is produced?
Bin 0
Dry gas field. No water production
Bin 1
Produced volume has leveled off and is <100 bbls/day per pad
Bin 2
Produced volume is between 100-300 bbls/day per pad
Bin 3
Produced fluid volume is between 300-500 bbls/day per pad
Bin 4
Produced fluid volume is above 500 bbls/day per pad
Bin 5
Produced volume is at absolute peak volume based on facility capacity
Production Activity Level How much production is occurring on the pad? 4 wells or 20 wells? In the event a pad must be shut-down for emergency is the company looking at significant production loss?
Bin 0
All wells are shut in
Bin 1
Production is less than 50% maximum facility capability
Bin 2
Production is between 50-75% of its maximum capability
Bin 3
Production is between 75-100% of its maximum capacity
Bin 4
Production is constantly at 100% maximum capability and occasional reductions are implemented
Bin 5
Production is consistently shutting down as a result of breaching maximum capabilities
Storage Activity Level How large are storage activities? How much produced fluid is stored on location? In the event of a storage vessel release, are we looking at 3,000 bbls (5 uprights) or 30,000 bbls?
Bin 0
Storage is bypassed and sent directly into gathering lines
Uprights on location are purely for emergency purposes
Bin 1
Frequency of trucking >2 weeks
Bin 2
Frequency of trucking between 1-2 weeks
Bin 3
Frequency of trucking <1 week
Bin 4
Trucking occurs multiple times per week
Bin 5
Trucking occurs daily
Storage Vessel Volume How much volume of fluids can storage vessels hold?
Bin 0
No upright storage is utilized on the facility
Bin 1
Fluids stored on location are <600 bbls
Bin 2
Fluids stored on location are between 600 bbls - 1,200 bbls
Bin 3
Fluids stored on location are between 1,200 bbls - 2,400 bbls
Bin 4
Fluids stored on location are >2,400 bbls
Bin 5
Fluids stored on location are >2,400 bbls and contain extremely hazardous fluids
Transfer Risk Are adequate safeguards in place to prevent spills during fluid transfers?
Bin 0
No upright storage is utilized on the facility (tankless)
Bin 1
Trucking transfers occur less than once per week and transport is for water (produced or fresh only)
Bin 2
Trucking transfers occur less than three times per week for water (produced or fresh) or less than once per week for oil
Bin 3
Trucking is greater than once per week for oil and/or greater than 3 times per week for water
Bin 4
Trucking occurs daily for any produced fluid
Bin 5
Fluid transfers occur daily and require special equipment and personnel
Vessel Fluids How risky are fluids stored in vessels?
Bin 0
No upright storage is utilized on the facility (tankless)
Bin 1
The only fluids stored in vessels are fresh water
Bin 2
Fluids stored in vessels are fresh water or produced water
Bin 3
Vessels on location store either produced water or produced oil
No other hazardous storage on location
Bin 4
Fluids stored in vessels are hazardous and caution must be used when handling
Bin 5
Fluids stored in vessels are extremely hazardous and specialized equipment and personnel is required to handle (i.e. BTEX)
Site Size How large is the site?
Bin 0
N/A
Bin 1
Location is extremely small
Footprint is unrecognizable if equipment was removed
Bin 2
Location is small with either an individual well or no greater than 3 wells
Processing and storage equipment is limited
Bin 3
Location contains 3-10 wells with upright storage and processing equipment
Bin 4
Location is large 10-20 wells with extensive processing equipment and storage
Trucking is required at these facilities and additional space is required to accommodate
Bin 5
Location is extremely large with 20+ wells and operator must shielf operations from public view
Processing equipment and storage is extremely prevalent and appears to have no rational thought into its placement