Water Issues
Impacts of oil and gas development on water quality are a concern
across the Intermountain West. Of particular concern are: storm
water runoff from construction activities, pollution from pits,
hydraulic fracturing, and use and disposal of CBM produced water.
The following resources provide an introduction to the problems
and best practices for each of these issues.
For acomplete overview of the Clean Water Act, as it addresses these issues visit the Red Lodge Clearinghouse.
Stormwater Runoff
Pollution from stormwater is an issue with all types of development
from urban to rural areas. Regulation of stormwater discharges
from oil and gas exploration, production, processing and treatment
activities has been particularly controversial in the last few
years. Resources on EPA's web pages address both the problem and
some of the solutions.
Regulation
of Oil and Gas Construction Activities - A summary of the
issues, legislation, regulations and litigation
Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Plans for Construction Activities - Information
on Pollution Prevention Plans, permitting and BMPs
Pit Pollution
Pits – circulation, water storage, completion, flowback, and reserve
– are dug to hold fluids and solids during well development and
to dispose of waste from production. Pits may be lined or
unlined, and their contents may be disposed of in many ways. Best
management practices are essential for limiting pit pollution
of both surface and groundwater
New Mexico Oil and Gas Conservation Division
Pollution
Prevention and Best Management Practices
Pollution
Prevention Pocket Guide
Earthworks
Pit
Pollution
Alternatives to Pits? Closed-Loop Containment System
Hydraulic Fracturing
Hydraulic fracturing is the injection of fluids and small particulates under pressure
to facilitate the production of oil and natural gas by opening and propping open fractures in a reservoir. The value
of fracing to oil and gas development is unquestionable, but the impact
of fracing on the environment is highly controversial. Some resources
on this issue:
Earthworks
Hydraulic Fracturing 101
EPA
Underground Injection Control Program
-
Hydraulic Fracturing
Study
to Evaluate the Impacts to USDWs by Hydraulic Fracturing of Coal
Bed Methane Reservoirs
Red Lodge Clearinghouse
Oil and Gas Development Controversies: Hydraulic
Fracturing
Coalbed Methane
Coalbed methane (CBM) is a form of natural gas that is trapped
within coal seams. CBM is produced and transported with much the
same process and equipment as methane from a regular gas field.
The major difference is that wells are drilled into the coal seam
to first remove water. As the water is removed and water pressure
in the seam decreases, the gas is released from the coal and flows
through fractures in the coal to the well. The quality of CBM
produced water varies widely. Potential uses and disposal methods
are controversial. Resources to help understand the issues are:
USGS
Fact Sheet- Coal-Bed
Gas Resources of the Rocky Mountain Region
Primer- Water
Produced with CBM
Montana State University
"Novice’s
Guide" to CBM and studies on the effects of CBM produced water
on soils
DOE and Partners
Ruckelshaus Institute - Research
and Development Concerning Coalbed Natural Gas: CBNG Produced
Water Investigations
BLM and ALL Consulting - Handbook
on Coal Bed Methane Produced Water: Management and Beneficial
Use Alternatives
Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation - Handbook
on Best Management Practices and Mitigation Strategies for Coal
Bed Methane in the Montana Portion of the Powder River Basin
Energy Justice
Impacts
of CBM Development
Northern Plains and Mountains Regional Water Program
Land
and Water Inventory Guide for Landowners in Areas of Coal Bed
Methane Development
Northern Plains Resource Council
Coal
Bed Methane-Produced Water: Management Options for Sustainable
Development |
State by State
Colorado
Water
Rights
Water
Quality
Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission - New Rules
COGCC - Text
of the rules
Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Workshop - The
317B Rules
Earthworks - A
Conservation Perspective on the Rules
The
Water Information Program: To provide information to the
public and community on water topics and water related issues.
Montana
Water
Rights
Water
Quality
Montana Board of Oil and Gas -
Coal Bed Methane Information
Montana Department of Environmental Quality - Coal
Bed Methane Web site
New Mexico
Water
Rights
Water
Quality
New Mexico Oil Conservation Division Rules
Current
and Proposed Rules
Highlights
of the Pit Rule
Earthworks -
A Conservation Perspective on the Pit Rule
Utah
Water
Rights
Water
Quality
Utah
Division of Oil, Gas and Mining Oil and Gas Program- Web site
updated with news and changes in regulations
Wyoming
Water
Rights
Water
Quality
Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
Rules, hearings
and more...
Environmental
protection guides
Wyoming
Regulatory Compliance Checklist- Federal, State and Local
Regulations |
