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Community noise exposure from oil and gas drilling operations

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dc.contributor.authorStepherson, Phillip, author
dc.contributor.authorBrazile, William, advisor
dc.contributor.authorVanDyke, Michael, advisor
dc.contributor.authorGutilla, Margaret, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2024-09-09T20:51:19Z
dc.date.available2025-08-16
dc.date.issued2024
dc.description.abstractDue to an increase in oil and gas (O&G) extraction activity near residential areas in Colorado, many community members may be at a higher risk of harmful noise exposure. The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) has identified multiple sources of high-volume sound associated with O&G site preparation, drilling, and fracking including engines, mud circulation systems, rig top drives, and ancillary equipment. Acute and chronic exposure to elevated levels of environmental noise has been found to cause adverse health effects such as sleep disturbance, annoyance, cognitive performance decline, heart disease, and self-reported impact to overall wellbeing. While there is existing literature quantifying the extent and consequences of community noise exposure from other environmental sources (e.g., air traffic, road traffic, and railway transportation) there are limited published studies on noise exposure from proximity to O&G extraction sites. Researchers suggest, however, that oil and gas extraction operations may be producing harmful levels of noise. It also appears that the noise produced includes substantial low-frequency noise which can make it difficult to control. In addition, low frequency noise exposure may exacerbate the health effects associated with general noise exposure. To assess community noise exposure, a comprehensive environmental noise survey was performed at a new O&G extraction site in Northern Colorado during the drilling phase of operations. The research team collected noise emission data 24 hours per day over two months that included 1-second measurements of sound-pressure level, 1/3 octave bands, and triggered audio recordings. Based on the noise-monitoring results, it was determined that the noise levels from the drilling activities exceeded ECMC published noise exposure limits and noise thresholds related to adverse health effects. Distance was found to be a crucial factor in establishing compliance and reducing exposure, especially for low frequency noise. Increasing the O&G operations setback from community residences to 2,000 feet, as compared to the previous setback distance of 350 feet, was estimated to reduce noise levels by 15dB, which, while a substantial improvement, was not entirely sufficient to eliminate the risk of health effects or establish compliance with low frequency noise limits. High noise levels were found to occur on days that the rig's hoisting mechanism and/or drill were likely in use.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierStepherson_colostate_0053N_18589.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/239194
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2020-
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.rights.accessEmbargo expires: 08/16/2025.
dc.titleCommunity noise exposure from oil and gas drilling operations
dc.typeText
dcterms.embargo.expires2025-08-16
dcterms.embargo.terms2025-08-16
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineEnvironmental and Radiological Health Sciences
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

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