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.
Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Plans for Construction Activities - Information
on Pollution Prevention Plans, permitting and BMPs
Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control – Requirements, BMPs and resources for controlling stormwater runoff.
Regulation
of Oil and Gas Construction Activities - A summary of the
issues, legislation, regulations and litigation
Pit Pollution
 Torn pit liner. Photo courtesy of Earthworks. 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 Best Management Practices (scroll down)
Pollution
Prevention Pocket Guide
Earthworks
Pit
Pollution
Alternatives to Pits? Closed-Loop Containment System
New Mexico Pit Rule Mapping Portal
Funded by the RPSEA -Small Producer Program, the New Mexico Pit Rule Mapping Portal generates maps of potential site regulatory issues using government recommended data. These maps will help reduce time needed for evaluation, preparation and review of C-144 forms and attachments and allow better determination of optimal and allowed locations of pits and tanks with respect to current siting criteria.
Hydraulic Fracturing
See our Hydraulic Fracturing page for more information
Oil and gas operators have conducted hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as “fracing,” for over sixty years in either vertical or slant wells (this is often referred to as “conventional drilling”). Within the past decade, the combination of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing has been used with increasing frequency in each of the intermountain states to increase the volume of natural gas that can be extracted from tight sand, coalbed, and shale formations, and thereby make the extraction process economically feasible (this is often referred to as “unconventional drilling”). Concerns abound that both the below-ground and above-ground activities associated with fracing may impact water quality. Our Hydraulic Fracturing page contains (1) a general overview of fracing technology, (2) a discussion about the controversy surrounding fracing, (3) a summary of current and pending regulations, and (4) resource documents and websites for further reference.
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.
For an introduction to CBM development, see our Coalbed Methane page. |
State by State
Colorado
The Water Information Program - Water
Rights
BLM - 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
BLM - Water
Rights
BLM - Water
Quality
Montana Board of Oil and Gas -
Coal Bed Methane Information
Montana Department of Environmental Quality - Coal
Bed Methane
New Mexico
BLM - Water
Rights
BLM - Water
Quality
New Mexico Oil Conservation Division Rules
NM Oil Conservation Division - Current
and Proposed Rules
NM Oil Conservation Division - Highlights
of the Pit Rule
Earthworks -
A Conservation Perspective on the Pit Rule
Utah
Utah Division of Water Rights - Water
Rights
BLM - Water
Quality
Utah
Division of Oil, Gas and Mining Oil and Gas Program- Web site
updated with news and changes in regulations
Wyoming
BLM - Water
Rights
BLM - Water
Quality
Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
Rules, hearings
and more...
Environmental
protection guides
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