Oilfield Restoration Commission
EXTENSION OF OILFIELD WASTE TESTING EMERGENCY RULE INCLUDES TIGHTER REQUIREMENTS
BATON ROUGE—Louisiana Commissioner of Conservation Philip Asprodites today issued a fourth Emergency Rule under Statewide Order No. 29-B to continue validating and analyzing oilfield waste samples for up to 120 days, but imposing tighter restrictions that require produced saltwater and pipeline test water to be stored in closed containers and to be injected in Class II wells. According to Commissioner Asprodites and officials at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), validation and analysis of the waste samples from the state’s commercial disposal facilities are nearly complete and a permanent rule is not far behind. DNR Secretary Jack Caldwell said, “Technical consultants should be forthcoming with the requested health risk analysis. Shortly after we receive that study, Commissioner Asprodites will issue the permanent rule that will determine acceptable storage, treatment and disposal methods of oil and gas exploration and production waste.” Commissioner Asprodites said, “Best management practices based on established E&P waste profiles, specific storage, treatment and disposal practices will lead to the draft of the permanent rule. We’ll then present the new rule in public hearings. We anticipate having a draft plan by spring of this year.” DNR officials issued the first Emergency Rule in May 1998 to gather technical data that would show the chemical and physical makeup of E&P waste disposed at permitted commercial waste disposal facilities across the state. The amended rule can be found on the Internet within the DNR homepage at http://www.dnr.state.la.us/sec/execdiv/pubinfo/newsr/finaler6.pdf Editors: For more information, please contact the Office of Conservation at 225-342-5500 or DNR Public Information at 225-342-4844.
EMERGENCY RULE FOR OILFIELD WASTE TESTING AMENDED, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials have amended Statewide Order No. 29-B starting October 1, continuing oilfield waste testing at commercial disposal facilities for 120 days, while eliminating exploration and production (E&P) waste testing at the well sites.
OILFIELD WASTE TESTING EMERGENCY RULE EXTENDED THROUGH MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
BATON ROUGE – Officials at the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources today issued an amendment to Statewide Order No. 29-B, extending another 30 days the order requiring "continued waste profile analyses of exploration and production (E&P) oilfield waste prior to shipment to a commercial facility and waste verification testing upon receipt by a commercial facility".
DNR RELEASES FIRST DATA ON INTERNET ON SAMPLES TAKEN FROM OILFIELD WASTE
BATON ROUGE – The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will make available on the Internet today the first raw data gathered on samples taken of oilfield waste from throughout the state.
OFFICE OF CONSERVATION TO OVERSEE OILFIELD SITE CLOSURE IN CAMERON PARISH
Work has begun to close the former Big Diamond waste disposal facility in Cameron parish according to officials at the Department of Natural Resources' Office of Conservation (OC). The first step in the closure process is to pump out rainwater that has accumulated in two treatment cells at the site, reported OC's Director of Injection and Mining Carroll Wascom. Wascom said the next step will be to perform a comprehensive sampling and testing program of the partially treated oilfield (exploration and production) wastes that remain in the pits to determine their current conditions. Using this test data, a complete remediation plan will be devised and implemented. The Big Diamond Trucking Service, Inc. site is located near the community of Sweet Lake. The facility received oilfield waste from 1979 to 1985. By 1990, the OC began closure plans and enlisted the help of operators that had used the site to assist in funding for closure activities. After the water is removed from the pits, the remaining material in the pits will be sampled and analyzed to determine the current status of the waste. Two weeks before the date of the sampling, area citizens will be notified and will have an opportunity to take split samples. "We have been working on this project for the past two years and I'm excited that this will be the start of the process to ultimately clean up and close the Big Diamond site," noted state Representative Dan Flavin of District 36. Anyone wanting additional information on the closure may call Carroll Wascom or Pierre Catrou at (504) 342-9197.
EMERGENCY RULES FOR OILFIELD TESTING TO START MAY 1st
As directed by Governor M.J. "Mike" Foster, the Office of Conservation of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has finalized emergency regulations that call for comprehensive and systematic testing of oilfield waste disposed of in commercial facilities throughout the state. After a recent public hearing and comment period, meetings between intergovernmental state agencies, and participation by a special interest committee, and expert advisors from LSU and elsewhere, DNR Secretary Jack Caldwell said the emergency rule will be promulgated today. Additionally, he said the permanent rules should be promulgated by this summer.
Governor Foster Announces New Oilfield Waste Testing Rules; Public Review and Input Next Step
Gov. M.J. "Mike" Foster Jr. announced today that new Department of Natural Resources' oilfield waste testing rules are ready for public review and input. The new rules require the testing of exploration and production (E&P) waste prior to shipment and further analysis and verification testing upon arrival at the commercial facility.
FOSTER ANNOUNCES NEW OILFIELD WASTE TESTING RULES; PUBLIC REVIEW AND INPUT NEXT STEP
BATON ROUGE -- Gov. M.J. "Mike" Foster Jr. announced today that new Department of Natural Resources' oilfield waste testing rules are ready for public review and input. The new rules require the testing of exploration and production (E&P) waste prior to shipment and further analysis and verification testing upon arrival at the commercial facility.