HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.3.1 Noise Level ReadingsWilliams.
Exploration & Production
1058 CR 215
P.O. Box 370
Parachute, CO 81635
Noise Level Readings
These readings were taken on 8/24/09 at 15:45; the wind was blowing from the south at 7mph with gusts up to 10mph, the
temperature was 78.6 F and 54.5 wet bulb F, it was 25% humidity and 24.14 in. Hg barometric pressure. The reading were taken at
4' above the ground to the west of the rig, due to the layout of the pad (with berms along the south and east edge) the noise will
travel more to the west and north. All measurements are from the base of the rig ladder going due west, except the final reading @
450' which was recorded at the south western corner of the pad. Readings on average are of a few minutes at each location.
Distance in feet
dB -A
dB -C
50
76
89
100
73
86
150
70
83
200
68
82
250
68
81
300
65
79
350
63
79
450 (south western corner of the pad)
59
76
Limits - Industrial Zone (oil and gas locations) day/night (7:00-7:00)
80/75
80/75
The regulations read:
b. Oil and gas operations at any well site, production facility, or gas facility shall comply with the following maximum permissible
noise levels. Operations involving pipeline or gas facility installation or maintenance, the use of a drilling rig, completion rig,
workover rig, or stimulation is subject to the maximum permissible noise levels for industrial zones. The type of land use of the
surrounding area shall be determined by the Commission in consultation with the local governmental designee taking into
consideration any applicable zoning or other local land use designation.
c. In the hours between 7:00 a.m. and the next 7:00 p.m. the noise levels permitted below may be increased ten (10) db(A) for a
period not to exceed fifteen (15) minutes in any one (1) hour period. The allowable noise level for periodic, impulsive or shrill noises
is reduced by five (5) db(A) from the levels shown.
ZONE
7:00 am to next 7:00 pm
7:00 pm to next 7:00 am
Residential/Agricultural/Rural
55 db(A)
50 db(A)
Commercial
60 db(A)
55 db(A)
Light industrial
70 db(A)
65 db(A)
Industrial
80 db(A)
75 db(A)
In remote locations, where there is no reasonably proximate occupied structure or designated outside activity area, the light
industrial standard may be applicable.
Pursuant to Commission inspection or upon receiving a complaint from a nearby property owner or local governmental designee
regarding noise related to oil and gas operations, the Commission shall conduct an onsite investigation and take sound
measurements as prescribed herein.
The following provide guidance for the measurement of sound levels and assignment of points of compliance for oil and
gas operations:
(1) Sound levels shall be measured at a distance of three hundred and fifty (350) feet from the noise source. At the
request of the complainant, the sound level shall also be measured at a point beyond three hundred fifty (350) feet that
the complainant believes is more representative of the noise impact. If an oil and gas well site, production facility, or gas
facility is installed closer than three hundred fifty (350) feet from an existing occupied structure, sound levels shall be
measured at a point twenty-five (25) feet from the structure towards the noise source. Noise levels from oil and gas
facilities located on surface property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the operator shall be measured at three
hundred and fifty (350) feet or at the property line, whichever is greater.
In situations where measurement of noise levels at three hundred and fifty (350) feet is impractical or unrepresentative
due to topography, the measurement may be taken at a lesser distance and extrapolated to a 350 -foot equivalent using
the following formula:
db(A) DISTANCE 2 = db(A) DISTANCE 1- 20 x log 10 (distance 2/distance 1)
(2) Sound level meters shall be equipped with wind screens, and readings shall be taken when the wind velocity at the
time and place of measurement is not more than five (5) miles per hour.
(3) Sound level measurements shall be taken four (4) feet above ground level.
(4) Sound levels shall be determined by averaging minute -by -minute measurements made over a minimum fifteen (15)
minute sample duration if practicable. The sample shall be taken under conditions that are representative of the noise
experienced by the complainant (e.g., at night, morning, evening, or during special weather conditions).
(5) In all sound level measurements, the existing ambient noise level from all other sources in the encompassing
environment at the time and place of such sound level measurement shall be considered to determine the contribution to
the sound level by the oil and gas operation(s).
Derek Stahl
Air Quality Specialist
Williams Exploration & Production
1058 CR 215 Parachute, CO 81635
970-210-7154 - cell
970-263-2766 - office