Oil & Gas

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.

Other state agencies assisting in the development of the new rules are the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The emergency rules will become effective May 1, 1998 under signature of DNR's Office of Conservation Commissioner Warren Fleet. Fleet explained that 60 days will be allowed for companies to prepare to comply with the emergency rules, to do such things as obtain special equipment and hire or train personnel. He said the emergency regulations will then be effective for 120 days during which time the department will assess test data necessary to compile and complete the permanent testing and treatment rules.

Existing state regulations governing the operations of commercial exploration and production (E&P) waste disposal facilities known as Statewide Order No. 29-B require limited testing for identification purposes. The emergency order requires a waste profile analysis of E&P waste prior to shipment to a commercial facility as well as waste verification testing upon receipt by the commercial facility. Since a great degree of public concern has been expressed over the possible toxicity of oilfield waste and its health and environmental impact, a review of Louisiana's E&P waste generation, transportation and disposal laws began last October. Governor Foster directed the state agencies--- DNR, DHH, and DEQ to work together in implementing initiatives and rules to change the present regulations. "The department firmly believes this two-phase method will work satisfactorily in properly managing the waste," Caldwell said. Caldwell also said that the oil companies will eventually be faced with new ways of disposing of waste that does not meet the new standards.

Currently, DNR has an interagency contractual agreement with Louisiana State University under the coordination of Dr. James Wharton, Chancellor Emeritus and professor of Chemistry to assist as technical experts, particularly in providing toxicological assistance, in implementing the permanent rule. The LSU consultants will aid in evaluations of oilfiled waste, hydrogeology, analytical chemistry methodologies, and oilfield waste technologies.

Commissioner Fleet also announced today that agency officials will travel to three major locations within the state to hold public seminars explaining the testing program and the emergency rule. The following schedule is planned:

All meetings are from 9:30 am to 12 noon.

Copies of the Amendment to Statewide Order No. 29-B Emergency Rule may be obtained from the DNR Office of Conservation, Room 257, State Land and Natural Resources Bldg., Baton Rouge at (504) 342-9197 or DNR Public Information at (504) 342-8955. The Internet address for viewing is http://www.dnr.state.la.us/

Editors: For more information on this topic, please contact the DNR Public Information at (504) 342-8955 or Carroll Wascom, Office of Conservation, Injection and Mining Division at (504) 342-9197.

EDITOR'S NOTE: DNR has made a copy of the Emergency Rule available on its Web site in Adobe Acrobat 3.0 (PDF) format