--> Central Valley Water Board Oilfield Activities
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Pacific Section AAPG, SPE and SEPM Joint Technical Conference

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Central Valley Previous HitWaterNext Hit Board Oilfield Activities

Abstract

The California Regional Previous HitWaterNext Hit Previous HitQualityNext Hit Control Board, Central Valley Region (CVWB) regulates the discharge of waste to land and surface Previous HitwaterNext Hit in the Central Valley. The CVWB operates under the umbrella of the State Previous HitWaterNext Hit Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the California Environmental Protection Agency. Our efforts are directed primarily at issues associated with the land discharge of produced Previous HitwaterNext Hit and the use of drilling mud sumps. Recently, we have been working with SWRCB staff to address issues related to recently promulgated well stimulation regulations and associated groundwater monitoring. We also work cooperatively with our sister State agencies in addressing oilfield issues such as the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources. CVWB staff are working with petroleum production companies to address the disposal of produced Previous HitwaterNext Hit. Our goals are that the Previous HitwaterNext Hit be recycled as appropriate and any discharge of these wastes be in a manner protective of Previous HitwaterNext Hit Previous HitqualityNext Hit and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Staff is working to update Waste Discharge Requirements for facilities discharging produced Previous HitwaterNext Hit to land to bring them into compliance with existing laws, regulations, and policies. Sumps which cannot comply with applicable requirements will have to change their discharge practices or close. Historically, the use of mud sumps during drilling operations was covered under a conditional waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements (Waiver). This Waiver was readopted by the CVWB in December of 2013 and no longer includes drilling wastes from oil and gas drilling operations. The disposal of these drilling wastes is now being regulated through a SWRCB General Waste Discharge Requirements (SBGO). For coverage under the SBGO, an operator submits a Notice of Intent with supporting technical information, and if appropriate, the operator is enrolled under the SBGO with the issuance of a Notice of Applicability (NOA). CVWB staff are evaluating current practices for handling drilling wastes and will be evaluating whether additional requirements are needed to be protective of Previous HitwaterNext Hit Previous HitqualityTop.