Groundwater Environmental Liability Management Using Baseline Sampling Programs

Abstract

Abstract

Traditionally, oil & gas operators have controlled their groundwater environmental liabilities through remedial actions after the groundwater has been impacted with hydrocarbons and salt. In recent years, a handful of US state regulatory agencies have promulgated prescriptive rules to establish baseline conditions in groundwater aquifers in close proximity to planned oil & gas production prior to drilling and then to continue monitoring of the groundwater for a specified period of time following well completion. The intent of the rules are to assure landowners and regulators that drinking water supplies are being protected as oil & gas development occurs. Colorado was the first US state to establish such rules during coal bed methane development in the San Juan Basin in southwest Colorado in 1996. Baseline sampling programs expanded statewide under the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) and culminated with COGCC Rules 608 and 609 in 2010. Other states adopted similar rules and guidance in areas of oil & gas production. Throughout the development and implementation of these rules, a series of best management practices have been developed and can be employed in voluntary programs worldwide as oil & gas operations continue near valuable groundwater resources. Operators can minimize their environmental liability through voluntary baseline groundwater sampling programs which demonstrate the water quality conditions prior to and post project development, often reducing or eliminating negative publicity, legal actions, or mitigation efforts associated with perceived operational environmental impacts.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90260 © 2016 AAPG/SEG International Conference & Exhibition, Cancun, Mexico, September 6-9, 2016