seep tents masters project fall presentation bren school of environmental science & management
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Seep Tents Seep Tents Masters ProjectMasters Project
Fall PresentationFall Presentation
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
Group Members & Group Members & AdvisorsAdvisors
Ali Ger, Misty Gonzales, Erin Ali Ger, Misty Gonzales, Erin Mayberry, Farah ShamszadehMayberry, Farah Shamszadeh
Christopher Costello, Natalie Christopher Costello, Natalie MahowaldMahowald Spring: Mel WillisSpring: Mel Willis
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
BackgroundBackground
Unique geological formations allow Unique geological formations allow natural gas, other hydrocarbons, natural gas, other hydrocarbons, and oil to seep from the ocean and oil to seep from the ocean floor in the SB channelfloor in the SB channel
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
Study AreaStudy Area
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
Area studied by the UCSB Hydrocarbon Seeps Research Group
Maps courtesy of the UCSB Hydrocarbon Seeps Project http://seeps.geol.ucsb.edu/
BackgroundBackground In 1982, ARCO installed 2 concrete In 1982, ARCO installed 2 concrete
and steel pyramids to capture the and steel pyramids to capture the gasgas
These are the only tents in the These are the only tents in the worldworld
The tents are currently operated The tents are currently operated by Venoco, Inc.by Venoco, Inc.
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
BackgroundBackground
Santa Barbara County Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control Air Pollution Control District is exploring District is exploring additional seep tents additional seep tents as a method to as a method to reduce hydrocarbon reduce hydrocarbon emissionsemissions
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
Gas emitted is 90% methaneGas emitted is 90% methane The seeps are considered a natural The seeps are considered a natural
source of air pollution by the countysource of air pollution by the county
Purpose of our projectPurpose of our project Methane is a potent global Methane is a potent global
warming agentwarming agent Captured methane is an energy Captured methane is an energy
source APCD and other source APCD and other stakeholders are interested in tentsstakeholders are interested in tents
Seep VOCs create air pollutionSeep VOCs create air pollution
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
Should more seep tents be Should more seep tents be installed?installed?
Research QuestionResearch Question
Is it environmentally advantageous Is it environmentally advantageous to install additional seep tents to to install additional seep tents to capture naturally released capture naturally released hydrocarbons? hydrocarbons?
Further, is it economically and Further, is it economically and legally feasible to install additional legally feasible to install additional seep tents?seep tents?
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
ScopeScope
Four areas of research:Four areas of research: Economic practicality Economic practicality Legal feasibilityLegal feasibility Water quality & ecologic impactsWater quality & ecologic impacts Air quality & climate impactAir quality & climate impact
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
Important IssuesImportant Issues
Seep rates have been decliningSeep rates have been declining Natural variation in seep Natural variation in seep
location and rateslocation and rates Uncertain regulations regarding Uncertain regulations regarding
additional tentsadditional tents Future natural gas prices are Future natural gas prices are
uncertain, makes revenues uncertain, makes revenues uncertainuncertain
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
Final Project ReportFinal Project Report
We will deliver a final document We will deliver a final document detailing our findings and detailing our findings and recommendations for additional recommendations for additional seep tent installation by April, 2002seep tent installation by April, 2002
The report will provide valuable The report will provide valuable information on the question of information on the question of whether or not more tents should whether or not more tents should be installedbe installed
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
Questions?Questions?
Thank you for your feedbackThank you for your feedback