TRC Adopts New Hydraulic Fracturing Water Reuse Rules

The Texas Railroad Commission (TRC) Tuesday adopted new rules to encourage Texas operators to continue their efforts at conserving water used in the hydraulic fracturing process for oil and gas wells, even though hydraulic fracturing and total mining use accounts for less than 1 percent of statewide water use, with irrigation, municipalities and manufacturing making up state’s top three water consumers.

Major changes adopted to the Commission’s water recycling rules include eliminating the need for a Commission recycling permit if operators are recycling fluid on their own leases or transferring their fluids to another operator’s lease for recycling. The changes adopted by the Commission today also clearly identify recycling permit application requirements and reflect existing standard field conditions for recycling permits.

Chairman Barry Smitherman said, "By removing regulatory hurdles, these new amendments will help foster the recycling efforts by oil and gas operators who continue to examine ways to reduce freshwater use when hydraulically fracturing well."

Commissioner David Porter said, "Water use has been a major concern examined by my Eagle Ford Shale Task Force, and I commend our staff for working to streamline our rules to encourage more recycling."

Commissioner Christi Craddick said, "Just as our operators have used technology to bring us into this modern day boom of oil production, they are also using technology to reduce their fresh water use. The changes adopted today will assist in those efforts."

The rule amendment also establishes five categories of commercial recycling permits to reflect industry practices in the field:

On-lease Commercial Solid Oil and Gas Waste Recycling

Off-lease or Centralized Commercial Solid Oil and Gas Waste Recycling

Stationary Commercial Solid Oil and Gas Waste Recycling

Off-lease Commercial Recycling of Fluid; and

Stationary Commercial Recycling of Fluid

The changes to the rule also establish a tiered approach for the reuse of treated fluid, including both authorized reuse of treated fluids in oil and gas operations and provisions for reusing the fluid for other non-oilfield related uses.



WHAT DO YOU THINK?


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Frieso Pouwer  |  March 28, 2013
I just read up on a club in Arizona State University that is focusing on clearing up the public perception, regulatory standards, and procedures on water reuse. Congrats for allowing these people to continue business more efficiently by alleviating some of the regulatory work needed to do so. Hope all goes well!
George Emory  |  March 26, 2013
Sounds like a good time to be focused on companies that can recycle waste water. ESPH comes to mind

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