Emissions Tracking

AEGIS tracks and calculates greenhouse gas emissions from flaring and venting operations, helping you meet both state and federal reporting requirements. This page explains the emissions metrics, regulatory context, and how AEGIS supports your reporting obligations.

Why Emissions Tracking Matters

Flaring and venting natural gas releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Multiple regulatory frameworks require operators to track, calculate, and report these emissions:

• Texas RRC — Volume reporting through Form PR (monthly production reports)
• EPA — Emissions reporting through OOOOb/c methane rules and GHGRP Subpart W
• Investor and ESG reporting — Increasing demand for transparent emissions data

AEGIS automates the calculation of emissions from your flaring data, reducing the manual effort involved in preparing regulatory reports.

CO2 Equivalent (CO2e)

Emissions in AEGIS are measured in CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent). This is a standard metric that converts all greenhouse gases into the equivalent warming impact of CO2. For flaring operations, the main emission components are:

• CO2 from combustion of natural gas
• Methane (CH4) from incomplete combustion or direct venting
• Nitrous oxide (N2O) in smaller quantities

The agent calculates CO2e using EPA emission factors, which account for the gas composition and combustion efficiency at each well.

EPA OOOOb/c Methane Rules

EPA rules OOOOb and OOOOc establish methane emission standards specifically for oil and gas facilities:

• OOOOb applies to new, modified, and reconstructed sources
• OOOOc applies to existing sources (finalized in 2024)

Key Applicability Criteria

The most important trigger is the well drilling date:

• Wells drilled after November 15, 2021 are subject to OOOOb requirements
• Wells drilled before that date may be subject to OOOOc existing source requirements

The Flaring Monitor agent automatically flags wells that meet these criteria and assesses whether your operations are subject to OOOOb requirements.

What OOOOb/c Requires

Under these rules, operators must:

• Monitor for methane leaks using approved detection methods
• Repair leaks within specified timeframes
• Reduce emissions from pneumatic devices, storage vessels, and other equipment
• Report emissions to the EPA

GHGRP Subpart W

The EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) requires large emitters to report their greenhouse gas emissions annually. Subpart W covers petroleum and natural gas systems.

Reporting Thresholds

Facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons of CO2e or more per year are required to report under the GHGRP. Even if individual wells fall below this threshold, the total across a facility or reporting unit may trigger reporting obligations.

What AEGIS Provides

When you ask the Flaring Monitor or Rule 32 agent for an emissions assessment, the agent calculates:

• Total CO2e emissions from flaring at the specified well or lease
• Whether the emissions approach or exceed the GHGRP reporting threshold
• Component-level breakdowns (CO2, CH4, N2O)

This data can be used as input for your annual GHGRP Subpart W reports.

Emissions in the Flaring Dashboard

The Flaring Dashboard includes emissions-related data in several places:

• Volume vs. Permitted charts — Higher volumes generally mean higher emissions
• Utilization metrics — Wells using a high percentage of their authorization are likely producing more emissions
• Predictive alerts — Projected exceedances also imply projected increases in emissions

Emissions in Filing Packages

When the Rule 32 agent prepares a Form R-32 filing, the emissions estimate is included as a standard part of the package. The filing review process includes an Emissions Review checkpoint specifically for verifying the accuracy of EPA emissions calculations.

Asking the Agent for Emissions Data

You can get emissions calculations directly from the agents:

Flaring Monitor:

“Calculate the CO2e emissions for Mitchell Ranch 1H based on current flaring volumes”

Rule 32 Agent:

“What are the EPA emissions implications for our flaring at Howard Unit A-1H?”

Compliance Monitor:

“Which of our wells have the highest emissions and should be prioritized for gas capture infrastructure?”

Key Terms