Steffes Pilot Heaters: Helping Operators Meet Quad Ob Requirements by Preventing Flare Pilot Freeze-Ups
If you are involved in the oil and gas industry, you have very likely heard about recent Quad Ob and Quad Oc regulation changes. In 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced a series of New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) under 40 CFR, Part 60, Subpart OOOO (“Quad O”). These standards were designed to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations. In December 2023, the EPA finalized two NSPS regulation additions—OOOOb and OOOOc — to extend oversight and compliance to a wider range of oil and gas sources.
Quad Ob regulations, specifically, apply to any emission sources that are constructed or modified prior to December 5, 2022. One of the most important takeaways from Quad Ob standards is that a pilot or combustion flame must be present at all times during operation when flaring. In cold, humid climates like the harsh winter conditions of the Bakken and Niobrara basins, frost accumulation around the flare pilot is one of the biggest challenges to maintaining a stable, reliable flare.
In cold, humid climates, flare pilots have the tendency to accumulate frost and freeze, which restricts airflow and weakens performance, often causing the flare to extinguish completely. This challenge intensifies on frigid, below-zero days when wind chills drive temperatures even lower, leaving field crews scrambling to thaw equipment.
Steffes Pilot Heaters were engineered, manufactured, and tested in North Dakota – where we know a thing or two about extreme cold temperatures. The expertly engineered design of the Pilot Heater works by directing heat from the pilot flame into a coil that is installed around the tip of the flare’s pilot. The design has been proven to prevent frost build-up on the orifice of the pilot, even on the harshest winter days. The elimination of frost results in improved airflow, allowing for an ideal gas mixture and a continuous, quality flame, helping to ensure compliance with Quad Ob flaring requirements.
Installing a Pilot Heater flare accessory not only helps to ensure an operation’s compliance with Quad Ob regulations but also minimizes the potential for costly fines accessed for emitting volatile organic compounds by venting unlit flares. Additionally, it reduces downtime and maintenance costs on both new locations and older well sites, by maintaining a stable and reliable flame, particularly in those harsh winter conditions where frost and freezing can destabilize flare systems.
Stay compliant. Stay efficient. Stay operational.
Order your Steffes Pilot Heater today and keep your flare burning strong, even on the coldest days. steffesoil.com/flare-accessories
Steffes offers a variety of flare accessories to help operators remain in compliance with Quad Ob regulations by significantly reducing potential downtime and ensuring a continuously running, stable pilot. In this white paper series, we will further explore how each of our flare accessories helps operators maintain compliance with the latest regulations.