Seep Tents Masters Project Fall Presentation Bren School of Environmental Science & Management

Group Members & Advisors Ali Ger, Misty Gonzales, Erin Mayberry, Farah Shamszadeh Ali Ger, Misty Gonzales, Erin Mayberry, Farah Shamszadeh Christopher Costello, Natalie Mahowald Christopher Costello, Natalie Mahowald Spring: Mel Willis Spring: Mel Willis Bren School of Environmental Science & Management

Background Unique geological formations allow natural gas, other hydrocarbons, and oil to seep from the ocean floor in the SB channel Unique geological formations allow natural gas, other hydrocarbons, and oil to seep from the ocean floor in the SB channel Bren School of Environmental Science & Management

Study Area Bren School of Environmental Science & Management Area studied by the UCSB Hydrocarbon Seeps Research Group Maps courtesy of the UCSB Hydrocarbon Seeps Project

Background In 1982, ARCO installed 2 concrete and steel pyramids to capture the gas In 1982, ARCO installed 2 concrete and steel pyramids to capture the gas These are the only tents in the world These are the only tents in the world The tents are currently operated by Venoco, Inc. The tents are currently operated by Venoco, Inc. Bren School of Environmental Science & Management

Background Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District is exploring additional seep tents as a method to reduce hydrocarbon emissions Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District is exploring additional seep tents as a method to reduce hydrocarbon emissions Bren School of Environmental Science & Management Gas emitted is 90% methane Gas emitted is 90% methane The seeps are considered a natural source of air pollution by the county The seeps are considered a natural source of air pollution by the county

Purpose of our project Methane is a potent global warming agent Methane is a potent global warming agent Captured methane is an energy source APCD and other stakeholders are interested in tents Captured methane is an energy source APCD and other stakeholders are interested in tents Seep VOCs create air pollution Seep VOCs create air pollution Bren School of Environmental Science & Management Should more seep tents be installed? Should more seep tents be installed?

Research Question Is it environmentally advantageous to install additional seep tents to capture naturally released hydrocarbons? Is it environmentally advantageous to install additional seep tents to capture naturally released hydrocarbons? Further, is it economically and legally feasible to install additional seep tents? Bren School of Environmental Science & Management

Scope Four areas of research: Four areas of research: Economic practicality Economic practicality Legal feasibility Legal feasibility Water quality & ecologic impacts Water quality & ecologic impacts Air quality & climate impact Air quality & climate impact Bren School of Environmental Science & Management

Important Issues Seep rates have been declining Seep rates have been declining Natural variation in seep location and rates Natural variation in seep location and rates Uncertain regulations regarding additional tents Uncertain regulations regarding additional tents Future natural gas prices are uncertain, makes revenues uncertain Future natural gas prices are uncertain, makes revenues uncertain Bren School of Environmental Science & Management

Final Project Report We will deliver a final document detailing our findings and recommendations for additional seep tent installation by April, 2002 We will deliver a final document detailing our findings and recommendations for additional seep tent installation by April, 2002 The report will provide valuable information on the question of whether or not more tents should be installed The report will provide valuable information on the question of whether or not more tents should be installed Bren School of Environmental Science & Management

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