Q655. Are geologic provinces 160 and 160A one basin or separate basins for the purposes of defining a facility for onshore petroleum and natural gas production?

A655. Geologic provinces 160 (Appalachian Basin) and 160A (Appalachian Basin-Eastern Overthrust area) are two distinct basins for the purposes of defining a facility for onshore petroleum and natural gas production under Part 98.

40 CFR 98.238 defines basin to mean “geologic provinces as defined by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Geologic Note: AAPG–CSD Geologic Provinces Code Map: AAPG Bulletin, Prepared by Richard F. Meyer, Laure G. Wallace, and Fred J. Wagner, Jr., Volume 75, Number 10 (October 1991) (incorporated by reference, see §98.7) and the Alaska Geological Province Boundary Map, Compiled by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Committee on Statistics of Drilling in Cooperation with the USGS, 1978 (incorporated by reference, see §98.7)”.

Table 1 and Figure 4 in the October 1991 bulletin identify the Appalachian Basin and the Appalachian Basin - Eastern Overthrust area as two distinct geologic provinces.  Because the §98.238 definition of basin refers to geologic provinces, the Appalachian Basin and Appalachian Basin - Eastern Overthrust area are considered distinct basins under Part 98.  Therefore, facilities should determine applicability for these basins separately, and report accordingly beginning with the 2011 Reporting Year (reports due September 28, 2012).

We recognize that there has been confusion over application of the basin definition in 40 CFR §98.238 to the Appalachian Basin and that, in a few cases, EPA might have provided some contradictory guidance in the past indicating that 160 and 160A should be considered one basin.  We are working with facilities to ensure that all facilities are appropriately registered within the e-GGRT system and report consistent with the rule requirements.  Please contact the e-GGRT help desk directly at GHGreporting@epa.gov listing “160/160A” in the subject heading, if you have questions about your facility registration for these basins.