Office of Mineral Resources

E&P Waste Disposal Rules in State Expanded

Both commercial and non-commercial waste disposal operations in Louisiana now have the option of using salt dome caverns. According to the state Department of Natural Resources' Office of Conservation, the regulations for the disposal of exploration and production (E&P) waste into solution-mined salt dome caverns became effective last month.

Conservation Commissioner Jim Welsh said a special study committee worked to develop the rules and requirements for permit application and review, geological evaluations, and safety and design requirements. Operating standards and how a well is monitored can also be found in the department's new regulations. He said an application for a permit to operate a salt cavern waste disposal site is done through the Office of Conservation.

This waste disposal method differs from the traditional practice of using land treatment cells for E&P waste disposal. All procedures are administered under Conservation's Injection and Mining Division. For more information online, go to the department's website www.dnr.state.la.us or contact DNR Office of Conservation at 225-342-5515.

Read the text of the Rule as published in the Louisiana Register

Editors: For more information on this topic, please contact the DNR Public Information Office at 225-342-8955.