New TX Railroad Commision Regulations for Disposal Wells | Russell T. Rudy Energy LLC
Back on August 29 of this year I posted on our blog (https://rudyenergy.com/texas-railroad-commission-proposes-disposal-well-rules-change/ ) the proposed revisions to the Texas Railroad Commission (TRRC) Regulations empowering it to:
-Require applicants for new disposal wells to search the U. S. Geological Survey seismic database for historical earthquakes in the area.
-Curtail or shut-in operations of existing disposal wells if scientific data shows the well is causing seismic activity.
-Require operators to report injected volumes and pressure more frequently than the current annual process.
-Require applicants for new disposal wells to demonstrate that injected volumes will remain confined to the intended area.
According to “Rigzone” the proposed regulations have now been adopted. The TRRC states that it is taking proactive steps and “following science in protecting our natural resources while at the same time providing a stable regulatory environment for our oil and gas operators.”
The TRRC went on to say that while a definitive link between disposal wells and seismic activity has yet to be determined, a study in Ohio linked earthquakes to certain parts of a fracking operation. These concerns were reflected in a recent vote in Denton, TX, to establish a city wide fracking ban.
To read the article in its entirety, please go to www.rigzone.com/news/oil_gas/a/135666/Texas .
