Flaring Monitor Agent
The Flaring Monitor agent focuses specifically on tracking flaring volumes, monitoring R-32 authorization compliance, calculating emissions, and forecasting when your wells might exceed permitted thresholds.
What the Flaring Monitor Does
The Flaring Monitor is a continuous monitoring agent that watches your flaring activity in real time. Its responsibilities include:
- Volume tracking — Monitoring daily and monthly flaring volumes against R-32 authorization limits
- Alert generation — Notifying you when volumes reach 80% of permitted thresholds or when you approach the 180-day cumulative limit
- Emissions calculations — Computing CO2-equivalent emissions using EPA factors
- Authorization status — Tracking which wells have active R-32 authorizations and when they expire
- Exceedance forecasting — Using decline curve analysis and trend data to predict when a well might exceed its authorized flaring volume
- Form PR validation — Checking monthly production report data before submission
Regulatory Frameworks Tracked
The Flaring Monitor covers multiple regulatory frameworks simultaneously:
| Framework | Jurisdiction | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| RRC Statewide Rule 32 (16 TAC 3.32) | Texas | Flaring and venting exception authorization |
| EPA OOOOb/c | Federal | Methane emission standards for oil and gas facilities |
| EPA GHGRP Subpart W | Federal | Greenhouse gas reporting for petroleum systems |
| TCEQ Air Quality | Texas | State-level emission thresholds and permitting |
Example Prompts
Here are effective ways to work with the Flaring Monitor:
“What is the current flaring volume for Howard Unit A-1H and how close are we to the authorization limit?”
“Which wells are approaching their 180-day flaring limit?”
“Show me the emission calculations for our Mitchell Ranch wells”
“When will Davis Ranch 1H exceed its R-32 authorization at the current burn rate?”
“Validate our Form PR data for last month before submission”
“Which of our wells are subject to EPA OOOOb requirements?”
“Give me a flaring compliance summary for the entire portfolio”
Key Alert Thresholds
The Flaring Monitor raises alerts at these levels:
| Threshold | Alert Level | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 80% of authorized volume | Warning | You are consuming your R-32 authorization at a rate that may exceed the limit before expiration |
| 150 of 180 cumulative days | Warning | Only 30 days remain on the cumulative flaring limit; plan for renewal or cessation |
| Well drilled after Nov 15, 2021 without OOOOb assessment | Warning | EPA methane rules may apply; an assessment is needed |
| Any unauthorized flaring event | Immediate | Flaring is occurring on a well without an approved R-32 authorization; this is a compliance violation |
Understanding Exceedance Forecasts
One of the Flaring Monitor’s most valuable capabilities is predicting when you might exceed a permitted limit. The agent considers:
- Current daily flaring rate (MCF/day)
- The R-32 authorized maximum volume
- Days used out of the 180-day window
- Historical volume trends
- Authorization expiration date
The result is a projected breach date and lead time — the number of days you have to take action before the exceedance occurs.
Working with the Flaring Dashboard
The Flaring Monitor agent’s data feeds directly into the Flaring Dashboard. When you need more detail than the dashboard provides — such as a specific emissions calculation or a customized forecast — talk to the agent directly.
The Flaring Monitor is a monitoring-only agent. It does not have mandatory HITL checkpoints because it does not create filings. However, if it identifies a situation that requires an R-32 filing or renewal, it will recommend starting a conversation with the Rule 32 agent.
Tips
- Regularly ask for a portfolio summary to catch issues before they become urgent.
- When the agent identifies a well approaching its authorization limit, act promptly — R-32 renewals can take time to process.
- Pay attention to OOOOb/c alerts; EPA methane regulations carry significant penalties for non-compliance.
- Use the agent’s emissions calculations when preparing GHGRP Subpart W reports.