Dangerous Oil and Gas Waste Management


Summary

This practice note covers the management and disposal of dangerous wastes that are a part of oil and gas exploration and production. Every oil and gas exploration and production project produces what is termed oil and gas waste. Some waste can be as benign as drilling mud, while other waste can be a mixture of hydrocarbons, saltwater, fracking fluid, and even radioactive material. Oil and gas production efforts often produce waste as well—often in the form of briny salt water produced along with hydrocarbons, or fracking fluids utilized in a well workover. The vast majority of this waste must be disposed of in a special way, as it has the potential to contaminate soil, groundwater, and/or the environment in general. The rules for the handling of dangerous oil and gas waste will vary by state and will often involve more than one state regulatory body, as well as in some cases, the federal EPA.