OILANDGASWASTEINTEXAS
Shaleoilandgasproductionproducesmassiveamountsofsolidwaste.Eachfootdrilledproducesapproximately1.2barrelsofsolidwasteaccordingtotheAmericanPetroleumInstitute.
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Thewastecontainschemicalladendrillingfluidsandmud,drillcuttings,slurry,heavymetals,radioactivematerialandotherimpuritiesfromtheformation.WastefromtheoilandgasindustryisnottreatedashazardousduetoaloopholeintheResourceConservationandRecoveryActRCRA.
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Pits
:Unlessprohibitedbyleasesorordinances,wastecanbestoredinearthenpitsonsite.Therearemanydifferentkindsofpits.SomepitsareauthorizedandsomerequirepermitsaccordingtoStatewideRule8.Thereislittleoversightofpits.PitsinTexasarenotrequiredtobelinedorfenced.Wastefrompitscanoverflowduringheavyrainsandleachintosoilandcontaminatewaterandsoil.Unfencedpitsarehazardoustofarmanimals,wildlifeandhumans.InMontagueCountyseveralcasesofgroundwatercontaminationwheretracedtoburiedpits.
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Landfarming:
Disposalofdrillingwasteiscalledlandfarming.Permitsissuedforlandfarminglimitthewastetonomorethan2,000barrelsperacreandnomorethanatotalof12inchesdeep.
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TheTexasRailroadCommissionRRCregulateslandfarmingunderthreetypesofpermits:
Minorpermit
s–
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Allowsanoperatortospreadwastefromonedrillsiteonasmallarea(usuallyatthedrillsite).Rule8stateslandownerpermissionisrequiredbutthisisnotenforced.
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Honorbasedsoiltestrequired30to90daysafterapplicationtoland.
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Confirmationoftestingisnearimpossibleforlandownerstoobtain.
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1
DentonRecordChronicle
,“Practicelayswastetoland”31March2011
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Earthworks,LoopholesforPolluters,http://www.earthworksaction.org/files/publications/FS_OilGasExemptions.pdf
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WFAA,“DrillingpitstaintMontagueCountywater”16March2011
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TexasRailroadCommission,SurfaceWasteSeminar,MichaelSims,P.E,3August2012
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Seenote4
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FortWorthWeekly
,“ToxicdrillingwasteisgettingspreadalloverTexasfarmland”12May2010
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Seenote6