What regulations exist to address compressor noise associated with CBM development?
• All gas wells require compression at some time during their producing life. CBM is similar to shallow gas development from sands in that it is low-pressure gas. Low-pressure gas typically requires compression at an earlier point in production. In most cases, compression is centralized and often can take advantage of existing infrastructure and current compression sites. Noise levels associated with the energy industry are regulated by the ERCB and strict cumulative noise limits are imposed on industry. • Noise associated with compression is regulated in Alberta by the ERCB, and details are available in ERCB Directive 38: Noise Control Directive User Guide. • Most produced natural gas requires compression at some location or time to keep it flowing in pipelines to market. • CBM wells, which are generally low-pressure wells, will normally require compression throughout their production life. This compression can take different forms depending on existing infrastructure, economics, and
