BEFORE THE OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
IN THE MATTER OF CHANGES TO ) CAUSE NO. 1
THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF )
THE OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION ) ORDER NO. 1R-88
COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO )
Pursuant to a hearing before the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission on October 31, 2000, in Suite 801, the Chancery Building, 1120 Lincoln Street, Denver, Colorado, the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission promulgated amendments to its Rules and Regulations to repeal and re-enact Rule 907.c. as shown below.
907. Management of E&P Waste
c. Produced water.
(2).E. Discharging into state waters, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Water Quality Control Division (“wqcd”). Produced water discharged pursuant to this subsection (2)(E) may be put to beneficial use in accordance with applicable state statutes and regulations governing the use and administration of water.
(4). Mitigation. Water produced during operation of an oil or gas well may be used to provide aN ALTERNATE domestic water supply to surface owners within the oil or gas field, in accordance with all applicable laws, including, but not limited to, obtaining the neccesary approvals from the WQCD for constructing a new “waterworks,” as defined by section 25-1-107(1)(x)(II)(A), C.R.S. Any produced water not so used shall be disposed of in accordance with subsection (2) or (3). Provision of produced water for domestic use within the meaning of this subsection (4) shall not constitute an admission by the operator that the well is dewatering or impacting any existing water well. THE WATER PRODUCED SHALL BE TO THE BENEFIT OF THE SURFACE OWNER WITHIN THE OIL AND GAS FIELD AND MAY NOT BE SOLD FOR PROFIT OR TRADED.
Attached, as Exhibit A, is a statement giving the basis and purpose of the revisions and such statements are incorporated herein by reference.
DONE AND PERFORMED by the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission of the State of Colorado this ______ day of November, 2000.
IN THE NAME OF THE COLORADO
OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
By
Dated at Suite 801
Denver, Colorado 80203
November 14, 2000
§34-60-106.(2)(d), C.R.S., as amended, gives the Commission authority to regulate oil and gas operations so as to prevent and mitigate significant adverse environmental impacts on any air, water, soil, or biological resources resulting from oil and gas operations to the extent necessary to protect public health, safety and welfare, taking into consideration cost-effectiveness and technical feasibility. §34-60-106.(11), C.R.S. gives the Commission authority to promulgate rules and regulations to protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public in the conduct of oil and gas operations.
The 900 Series of the Rules and Regulations of the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission pertain to Exploration and Production (E&P) Waste Management associated with oil and gas activities.
Rule 907. establishes requirements for transportation, treatment and disposal of E&P waste, including produced water. Rules 907.c.(2).E. and (4) were amended in response to the recommendation from the 1999 Interim Legislative Committee on Oil and Gas that the Water Quality Control Division, Division of Water Resources and Oil and Gas Conservation Commission propose rulemaking to more clearly address the beneficial use of produced water.