EPA v. Apache Corporation-TX NM Sites-CAA Consent Decree-FY2024 (HQ Lead)

Case summary

Apache Corporation violated the Clean Air Act, the New Mexico Air Quality Control Act, their implementing regulations, and the Texas State Implementation Plan at 23 oil and natural gas production facilities in New Mexico and Texas by failing to comply with requirements of the Federal New Source Performance Standards set forth at 40 CFR part 60, subpart OOOO and OOOOa, and failing to operate its facilities in accordance with applicable permits, namely, the New Mexico General Construction Permit for Oil and Gas Facilities and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Permit by Rule and Standard Permit. Under the proposed settlement, Defendant agrees to pay a civil penalty of $4,000,000 and to perform a project that will offset the excess emissions resulting from the violations. In addition, the settlement requires the Defendant to ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements at 422 of its oil and natural gas production facilities in New Mexico and Texas. Specifically, the settlement requires the Defendant to undertake a field survey to identify and remedy any compromised equipment, to undertake a design analysis to ensure adequate design and sizing of the vapor control system, to install and operate extensive monitoring systems, to implement a robust inspection and maintenance program, and to hire an independent third party to verify compliance.

Defendants (1)

• APACHE CORPORATIONNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (15)

• EMPIRE ABO D40 TANK BATTERY

  9.2 MI WSW OF LOCO HILLS, LOCO HILLS, NM, 88255

  Registry ID: 110061063879

• APACHE - PALMILLO 21 CTB

  14 MI SE OF ATOKA, ATOKA, NM, 88210

  Registry ID: 110070666992

• LEE CTB

  CR 285 AND CR 232 TAKE CR 232 SW FOR 3 MI, ORLA, TX, 79770

  Registry ID: 110070824164

• PALMILLO 14-15 STATE BATTERY NO3

  17 MI NE OF CARLSBAD, CARLSBAD, NM, 88220

  Registry ID: 110070667245

• FALCON CENTRAL TANK BATTERY

  SEE LAT/LONG, MENTONE, TX, 79754

  Registry ID: 110071064297

• AB STATE 647 BATTERY

  12.99 MI WSW OF LOCO HILLS, LOCO HILLS, NM, 88255

  Registry ID: 110058906359

• APACHE CORPORATION - A STATE 42 BATTERY

  9.2 MI WSW OF LOCO HILLS, LOCO HILLS, NM, 88255

  Registry ID: 110061070512

• APACHE CORPORATION - TONY FEDERAL BATTERY

  4.0 MI ENE OF LOCO HILLS, LOCO HILLS, NM, 88255

  Registry ID: 110056286077

• APACHE-L W WARD & SCHENCK BATTERY

  15.25 MI SE OF TATUM, TATUM, NM, 88267

  Registry ID: 110061082750

• DIXIELAND LEE CS

  CR 285 AND CR 232 TAKE CR 232 SW FOR 3 MI, ORLA, TX, 79770

  Registry ID: 110070824165

• D STATE 49 BATTERY

  9.25 MI WSW OF LOCO HILLS, LOCO HILLS, NM, 88255

  Registry ID: 110056432533

• GHOST RIDER CTB

  30 MI NW OF JAL, JAL, NM, 88252

  Registry ID: 110070667034

• BIRDIE FEDERAL NO3 BATTERY

  1.4 MI NW OF LOCO HILLS, LOCO HILLS, NM, 88255

  Registry ID: 110056286228

• APACHE CORP - BRAGG CTB

  SEE LAT/LONG, ORLA, TX, 79770

  Registry ID: 110071064296

• APACHE CORPORATION - TONY FEDERAL BATTERY

  4.0 MI ENE OF LOCO HILLS, LOCO HILLS, NM, 88255

  Registry ID: 110056286077

Statutes cited

• CAA PARTD — New Source Review Permit Requirements
• CAA 173 — New Source Review Permit Requirements
• CAA 111 — New Source Performance Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Apache Corporation-TX NM Sites-CAA Consent Decree-FY2024 (HQ Lead)entered 2024-04-11

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $2,017,191 · State/local: $2,000,000

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 2020-09-11Referred To Headquarters
• 2021-08-16Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2024-02-13Referred TO U.S. Attorney
• 2024-02-13Complaint Filed With Court
• 2024-02-13Final Order Lodged
• 2024-04-11Final Order Entered
• 2024-04-17Enforcement Action Data Entered