Behrens & Associates Environmental Noise Control, Inc. Drilling & Fracing Sound Control Offices and Operations: California Texas California Colorado Ohio West Virginia Pennsylvania Calgary, Alberta, Canada www.environmental-noise-control.com www.drillingnoisecontrol.com
Typical Noise Levels The most common influences to ambient sound levels: - Road traffic - Air traffic - Weather - Everyday Outdoor Noises
What Is Noise? Noise is unwanted sound which may be hazardous to health, interfere with speech and verbal communications or is otherwise disturbing, irritating or annoying. What Is Sound? Sound is defined as any pressure variation in air, water or other fluid medium which may be detected by the human ear. What Are the Characteristics of Sound? The two most important characteristics which must be known in order to evaluate the sound or noise are its amplitude and frequency. The amplitude or height of the sound wave from peak to valley determines the loudness or intensity. The wave length determines the frequency, pitch, or tone of the sound.
How Are These Characteristics Expressed? The frequency of sound is expressed in wavelengths per second or cycles per second (CPS). It is more commonly referred to as Hertz. Low frequency noise is 250 Hertz (Hz) and below. High frequency noise is 2000 Hz and above. Mid-frequency noise falls between 250 and 2000 Hz. The amplitude of sound is expressed decibels (db). This is a logarithmic compressed scaled dealing in powers of 10 where small increments in db correspond to large changes in acoustic energy.
What Are Octave Bands? Standardized octave bands are groups of frequencies named by the center frequency where the upper limit is always twice the lower limit of the range. Test data for performance of acoustical materials is standardized for easy comparison at the center frequencies. Equipment noise levels and measurement devices (db meters) also follow the preferred octave bands.
Noise Management Plan Blueprint 1. Collect Ambient Data 2. Identify Noise Source & Layout 3. Model Expected Impact Versus Compliance Limits 4. Design and Implement Mitigation 5. Compliance Verification
Drilling Noise Impact Assessment and Mitigation
Drilling Noise Model Unmitigated & Mitigated Approx. 350 ft from Wellhead Approx. 350 ft from Wellhead Approx. 350 ft from Wellhead 16 Foot High Perimeter Sound Wall
Shaker Table Enclosure Portable Panel Enclosure Temporary Generator Enclosure Equipment Enclosures
32 High STC-25 Rated Perimeter Wall Being Installed
Hydraulic Fracing Noise Impact Assessment and Mitigation
Fracing Noise Model Unmitigated & Mitigated
Low Frequency Noise
Low Frequency Noise This is characterized by noise levels at frequencies less than 100 hertz (Hz). Typically, low frequency noise is described as noise levels in the 16 Hz, 32Hz, and 64Hz octave bands. Noise at those frequencies can be annoying to some people even at relatively low levels that might not be discernible to other people standing nearby. Low-Frequency noise can propagate through closed windows and lightweight walls typical of most homes, so in many cases the indoor and outdoor levels at homes near sources of low-frequency noise can be nearly identical. For that reason, annoyance from low-frequency noise usually occurs when the receiver is indoors where the background noise levels are low compared to the intruding low-frequency noise. If the low-frequency noise level is sufficiently high, it can cause discernable vibration and rattling of windows or other lightweight structures.
Addressing Low Frequency Noise A-weighting scale has an adjustment in the low and high frequencies and will essentially filter out much of the lowfrequency noise measured, similar to the response of the human ear.. In contrast to the A-weighting, the C-weighting is a flatter filter, and allows more low frequencies to be measured. A- Scale: Replicate The Human Ear C- Scale: More Low Frequency Measurable
Pure Tone Sounds
Pure Tone Noise Definition Noise produced by oilfield operations shall include no pure tones when measured at a neighboring property. A pure tone shall be deemed to exist if the one-third octave band sound-pressure level in the band with the tone exceeds the arithmetic average of the soundpressure levels of two contiguous one-third octave bands by 5 db for center frequencies of 500 Hertz and above, and by 8 db for center frequencies between 160 and 400 Hertz, and by 15 db for center frequencies less than or equal to 125 Hertz.
EnCana Case Study #1 Noise Assessment & Mitigation Pilot
Project Overview September 2012 EnCana Corporation approached Behrens & Associates regarding the success they experienced with drilling and completions sound control in urban areas such as Dallas, TX and Los Angeles, CA. Discussions began to assist with an upcoming location in Dawson Creek, BC as a pilot program to assess current standards in place with EnCana. Scope was to assess their effectiveness as well as provide some additional Engineered options offered by Behrens & Associates. Background noise levels were collected to be used as a reference for pre-operational existing sound levels. Data was collected on various typical noise generating operations for drilling and completions. Noise impact modeling was performed to assess the expected noise impact vs. allowable levels and towards noise sensitive receptors. Mitigation systems were supplied and installed during drilling and completions activities. Operational sound levels were recorded during the various operations.
Existing Noise Ambient Survey Background noise included traffic, wind and wildlife that typically drive the overall average levels up are displayed below. Actual background noise with NO other influences for the locations was around 35.9 dba. 90 Sound Level 85 80 75 70 65 15- Minute Average Sound Levels, dbc 12- Hour Average Sound Levels, 81.2 dbc 12- Hour Average Sound Levels, 62.4 dba 60 55 15- Minute Average Sound 50 10:00 AM 10:15 AM 10:30 AM 10:45 AM 11:00 AM 11:15 AM 11:30 AM 11:45 AM 12:00 PM 12:15 PM 12:30 PM 12:45 PM 1:00 PM 1:15 PM 1:30 PM 1:45 PM 2:00 PM 2:15 PM 2:30 PM 2:45 PM 3:00 PM 3:15 PM 3:30 PM 3:45 PM 4:00 PM 4:15 PM 4:30 PM 4:45 PM 5:00 PM 5:15 PM 5:30 PM 5:45 PM 6:00 PM 6:15 PM 6:30 PM 6:45 PM 7:00 PM 7:15 PM 7:30 PM 7:45 PM 8:00 PM 8:15 PM 8:30 PM 8:45 PM 9:00 PM 9:15 PM 9:30 PM
Data Collection
Noise Impact Modeling Sunrise 13-1-79-17W6M Drilling Mitigated Completions Mitigated Noise impact models calculate the operational noise impacts of your operations at set distances in all directions in both dba and dbc for both drilling and fracing.
Data Collection Continuous Sound Measurement Location #1 Continuous Sound Measurement Location #2 Sunrise Pad Site Throughout the process, monitoring took place to capture data for use in evaluating the results. Measurements were continuously taken in the same locations during operations with and without mitigation in place to give a good comparison on effectiveness.
Installation of Acoustical Barriers Various types of mitigation were utilized and in different arrangements to assess the impact each would or would not have. Starting with NO mitigation then adding sea containers as a barrier through installing temporary STC-25 sound panels on site. Storage Containers a With Fixed STC 25 Blankets Storage Containers Free Standing STC 25 Portable Panels
Pilot Results STAGE DESCRIPTION AMBIENT NOISE NOISE IMPACT REDUCTION 1 Drilling Operation w/ No Mitigation 35.9 dba 45.6 dba n/a 2 Drilling Operation w/ Sea Cans 35.9 dba 44.8 dba 0.8 dba 3 Drilling Operation w/ Blanketed Sea Cans 35.9 dba 44.2 1.4 dba 4 Drilling Operation w/ Panels 35.9 dba 43.5 2.1 dba 5 Fracing Operations w/ No Mitigation 35.9 dba 49.4 dba - 6 Fracing Operations w/ Panels around Frac Pump 35.9 dba 43.1 dba 6.3 dba
EnCana Case Study #2 Frac Truck Low Frequency Analysis
Asked by EnCana to Supply a Solution for a Silent Frac While addressing the Following Concerns: - Easy access and egress - Zero rig up and down time - Maintain line of sight - Flame resistant materials - Zero heat gain - Maintain air quality - Withstand severe weather - Minimize worker noise exposure - Adaptable to variable equipment layouts
Beam Forming Array for Assessment of Actual Noise Sources to Identify Where Low Frequency Noise Is Coming From
Current applications being utilized and tested by EnCana
Proposed Upcoming Conceptual Frac Truck Noise Enclosure
Evolution of Noise Mitigation Presentation to Synergy Alberta Conference Enoch, AB November 3, 2014 Noel Millions, PSL Surface Land Manager, BC
Corporate Social Responsibility Encana s Definition Encana is committed to conducting our business ethically, legally and in a manner that is fiscally, environmentally and socially responsible, while delivering strong financial performance.
Key Communities in our Operating Area Montney: Cutbank Ridge (BC) Dawson Creek Farmington Tower Tomslake Peace River Arch (AB): Wembley Beaverlodge Sexsmith Hythe County of GP
Courtesy Matters & Objective Respectful conduct throughout all stages of our development! Walk the talk Build positive working relations Gain community support Stakeholder Engagement & Communication Community Investment Follow-up to ensure follow-through Noise mitigation Gain/maintain community acceptance (social licence) to help ensure access to our sub-surface rights across the Montney. 4
Courtesy Matters Dust Traffic Noise Garbage Road & lease Respect your neighbor Minimize impacts associated with:
History of Sound Mitigation
Progression of Mitigation Background noise levels were collected Noise Impact Modeling was conducted by Behren s Operational sound levels were recorded during the various operations Various types of mitigation to assess the impact each would or would not have
The Evolution of Perimeter Sound Mitigation Hay Bales Pro s Cons Inexpensive Availability Local economy Safety Short time span Sea Cans Easy mobilization Expensive Stacking capability Deflect sound Soil Berms Availability Design Restrictions No cost Erosion Sound Panels Safety certified Costly Reusable Supply Minimal space Sound control
Sound Panel Pilot Partnership Tour South of the 49th (Los Angeles/Dallas) Establishing Criteria & Parameters for Pilot Community Engagement Disciplines Buy-in Configurations Monitoring Follow-up with Area stakeholders on results
Sound Panel Lookback Shared learnings and optimized our noise mitigation practices across the Northern Operating Region in an effort to reduce noise disturbances to area residents Stakeholders Completions Surface Land Drilling Construction
Pre-Planning Surface Land Initial Landowner engagement Analysis /Impact Assessment GIS Review & CIA Tool Considerations: Safety considerations Stakeholder proximity Scope and duration of project Land use type and topography Economic impacts Site activity and equipment Cumulative impacts Recommendation Rationale
Sound Panel vs Wall Sound Panel Short term Size - 8x12 each Cost Minimal Logistics Minimal Footprint Small Insert Photo Sound Wall Long term or permanent solution Size Site specific Cost Significant, rental, shipping and setup Logistics - More planning and time required Footprint Large scale
Construction Involvement of construction is paramount during the early planning phase Lease design and soil work potentially impact sound panel or wall configuration Use of berms can further mitigate sound impact Consideration of topography when scouting a location can mitigate sound impact
Drilling Noise Sources: Movement of personnel and equipment Tripping/racking of pipe Back-up beepers Onsite generators Gensets Engine exhaust Cooling Fans
Completions Modeling has demonstrated that the use of panels will mitigate noise from completions activity most effectively. The noise associated with completions activity generally originates from the following: High volume of vehicle traffic Pumper Trucks Sand Trucks
Spacing & Equipment Dawson Pad
Lessons Learned Ensure proper securement (Wind) Frac Panels deemed most effective for completions Position panels around frac pumps if possible or at lease edge on the side(s) of receptor(s) Closer the sound barrier is to the noise source, the more effective they are Material handling and storage Sound monitoring equipment Varying requirements from each discipline Capturing and reviewing data (internal process)
Challenges
Going Forward Continue to gather data to support findings and learnings Comprehensive GIS review and understanding baseline data Expand planning criteria and establish realistic thresholds Improvements to Modeling Adaptability Equipment Enhancements Site Considerations Establish a risk based evaluation Community & Team buy-in
Thanks You Questions?