Sublette, Kerry L.¹ 
(1) University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

ABSTRACT: Increasing Compliance Among Small Independent Oil and Gas Producers for Remediation of Brine Spills: KISS and Cost

In Oklahoma we have the cumulative equivalent of an Exxon-Valdez-size brine spill every two years based on reported spills. Many of these spills are poorly remediated, if they are remediated at all. The result is a significant loss of natural resources in terms of soil productivity and salt-impacted surface water and groundwater. At IPEC we have been asking why this is the case. In my experience most small producers want to do the right thing – they want to clean up the spill in a responsible manner. The problem is that they don’t always know what to do. Some become immobilized, some become easy prey for snake oil salesmen, and some try to remediate the spill but are unsuccessful. 
At IPEC we have developed remediation methods for brine spills that are easy to understand and low in cost. We have also developed tools to aid the small producer in monitoring the remediation process and protecting surface waters. These tools are distributed free-of-charge and IPEC holds free workshops throughout Oklahoma and Arkansas to teach small producers how to remediate these spills without busting their budgets. We believe that reducing the cost of regulatory compliance increases regulatory compliance, protecting our natural resources and keeping the producer in business. IPEC brine remediation methods and tools will be discussed in this presentation.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90026©2004 AAPG Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 18-21, 2004.