Welcome to the EcoZone Oil and Gas Toolkit
We are compiling an extensive, resource-based set of documents relating to environmental regulation of the oil and gas industry. Some of our resources are derived from the EPA and Railroad Commission of Texas; others are hard-to-find historical documents. If you are aware of valuable source documents that you would like included, please let us know by leaving a comment on our EcoZone blog.
Quick Links to Categories
Pipelines
Offshore OPA
Oil & Gas Produced Water
Oil & Gas Wastes & RCRA
Interstate Oil Compact Commission Report on E&P Wastes
Compilation of EPA Applicability Determinations
Industry Resources
Railroad Commission of Texas
Andrews Kurth Oil & Gas Manual
NEPA: Oil and Gas Production
Hydraulic Fracturing
- Capacity Transfers on Intrastate Natural Gas Pipelines - The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is seeking comments on whether and how holders of firm capacity on intrastate natural gas pipelines providing interstate transportation and storage services under section 311 of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 and Hinshaw pipelines providing such services pursuant to blanket certificates issued under Sec. 284.224 of the Commission's regulations should be permitted to allow others to make use of their firm interstate capacity. Document ID: FERC-2010-1569-0001; Document Type: PROPOSED RULES; Docket ID: FERC-2010-1569
Recently, the Commission issued an order finding that the Commission's policy prohibiting buy/sell transactions applies to interstate open-access transportation services provided by (1) intrastate natural gas pipelines pursuant to section 311 of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 (NGPA) Ad Hinshaw pipelines pursuant to blanket certificates issued under section 284.224 of the Commission's regulations. In this Notice of Inquiry (NOI), the Commission is seeking comments on whether and how holders of firm interstate capacity on section 311 and Hinshaw pipelines should be permitted to allow others to make use of their firm interstate capacity, including to what extent buy/sell transactions should be permitted.
- Department of the Interior “Drilling Safety Rule” and “Workplace Safety Rule,” including DOI’s “Fact Sheets” on these new rules
- TIR: Regulated Navigation Areas: Boom Deployment Strategy Testing, Great Bay, NH (Federal Register Publication) - The Coast Guard is temporarily establishing a regulated navigation area (RNA) in navigable waters near Great Bay, New Hampshire. This temporary regulation is in effect while the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) conducts boom deployments to test the effectiveness of oil spill response strategies, and is necessary to ensure the safety of exercise participants and the maritime public from hazards associated with the boom deployment exercise. While the RNA is in effect, all vessels must transit at bare steerageway and comply with directions from the Captain of the Port.
- “Notice to Operators”(PDF) and Texas Railroad Commission’s Form H-11 - The Texas Railroad Commission has issued a notice advising operators of the requirement that the design of certain pits and/or conversions thereof (e.g., a fresh water storage pit to be converted to receive, also, fracture flow-back water), where storage of wastewaters is contemplated: 1) must be prepared under seal of a registered engineer, and 2) requires submittal of Form H-11 (Application for Permit to Maintain and Use a Pit).
- EPA White Paper OG Produced Fluids (PDF) - This EPA document provides a basic understanding of produced water characteristics. Essentially, produced water is water trapped in underground formations that is produced up the well hole. This article provides insight to the concerns of produced water.
- EPA oil-gas exemption (PDF) - This EPA-published document provides a good understanding of the oil and gas exemption under the hazardous waste program. While not comprehensive, it is useful in most circumstances.
- Regulatory Determination: Oil & Gas E&P Wastes (PDF) - Once the Report to Congress was rendered, EPA issued its regulatory determination justifying the exemption. Again, this is a basic source document.
- Waste Crude Oil Reclaimers (PDF) - Interpretive of many issues, this determination led to many other exemption decisions. Some concepts include: wastes derived from exempt waste remain exempt; public policy regarding waste minimization.
- Execsum EPA Associated Wastes Report (PDF) - A detailed explanation of the oil & gas exemption. This EPA-published document is authoritative.
- OGg93wp Crude Oil Reclaimers Clarification (PDF) - This Federal Register clarification of the Regulatory Determination can be useful when dealing with obscure problems. For example, the definition of transportation of oil—when it first begins, "uniquely associated and intrinsic wastes," effect of offsite transport of exempt wastes.
- The CERCLA Petroleum Exclusion - Updated (PDF)
- Oil Field Waste Pits in Region 6 - A helpful website, provided by U.S. Fish & Wildlife, that brings the bird issue down to basics.
INTERSTATE OIL COMPACT COMMISSION REPORT ON E&P WASTES
- IOCC Report (PDF) - Oftentimes an ignored resource, this study was vital to EPA's and various state agencies' regulatory approaches. It is a good source for policy considerations.
COMPILATION OF EPA APPLICABILITY DETERMINATIONS
- Pipeline Wastes (PDF) - RCRA E&P applicability determinations, including snow melt, point of custody transfer, UIC, injectable fluids, primary field operations, cleanup wastes.
- The CERCLA Petroleum Exclusion - Updated (PDF)
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INDUSTRY RESOURCES
- “Notice to Operators”(PDF) and Texas Railroad Commission’s Form H-11 - The Texas Railroad Commission has issued a notice advising operators of the requirement that the design of certain pits and/or conversions thereof (e.g., a fresh water storage pit to be converted to receive, also, fracture flow-back water), where storage of wastewaters is contemplated: 1) must be prepared under seal of a registered engineer, and 2) requires submittal of Form H-11 (Application for Permit to Maintain and Use a Pit).
- Railroad Commission of Texas District Boundaries Map - A nice graphic map illustrating the various districts within Texas. Hosted and provided by the Railroad Commission of Texas.
- Texas Counties & Associated RRC Districts Chart - hosted by the Railroad Commission of Texas website, lists each Texas County and the RRC District in which it is situated. Helpful tool should you need to contact a local office regarding a regulated matter.
- Department of the Interior “Drilling Safety Rule” and “Workplace Safety Rule,” including DOI’s “Fact Sheets” on these new rules
- Wetlands Delineation Manual (PDF) - The 1987 manual in full text, and is the base resource regarding wetlands delineation.
- Sector Petroleum Refining NHTSA-2008-0060-0652 (PDF) - EPA's sector analysis for petroleum refining.
- Sector Oil Gas NHTSA-2008-0060-0660 (PDF) - EPA's sector analysis for the oil and gas extraction industry.
- The CERCLA National Contingency Plan (PDF)
- The CERCLA Petroleum Exclusion - Updated (PDF)
- Regulatory Determination 1988
- EPA Report to Congress, 1987, Volume 1 (PDF) - RCRA required EPA to issue a Report to Congress regarding whether to regulate oil & gas wastes. This Report is the source document for all exemption analyses.
- Report to Congress, 1987, Volume 2 (PDF)
- EPA Report to Congress, 1987, Volume 3 (PDF)
RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS- Derived primarily from the Railroad Commission's website
- “Notice to Operators”(PDF) and Texas Railroad Commission’s Form H-11 - The Texas Railroad Commission has issued a notice advising operators of the requirement that the design of certain pits and/or conversions thereof (e.g., a fresh water storage pit to be converted to receive, also, fracture flow-back water), where storage of wastewaters is contemplated: 1) must be prepared under seal of a registered engineer, and 2) requires submittal of Form H-11 (Application for Permit to Maintain and Use a Pit).
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Railroad Commission of Texas District Boundaries Map - A nice graphic map illustrating the various districts within Texas. Hosted and provided by the Railroad Commission of Texas.
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Texas Counties & Associated RRC Districts Chart - hosted by the Railroad Commission of Texas website, lists each Texas County and the RRC District in which it is situated. Helpful tool should you need to contact a local office regarding a regulated matter.
- New Railroad Commission of Texas Rules re 10-Year Inactive Wells - A detailed summary of the RRC’s new rules relating to inactive wells, and related information (including the RRC’s latest listing of “10-Year Inactive Wells”)
- RRC Oil & Gas Division Boundaries Map
- MOU between RRC & TCEQ - The MOU establishes jurisdiction between the agencies for oil and gas operations.
- Waste Minimization in the Oilfield Manual (RRC) (PDF) - A good explanation of how waste minimization plays in the oil & gas industry, prepared by the RRC.
- Waste Minimization in Drilling and Production (RRC) - A RRC analysis of steps to implement waste minimization, linked to the RRC website.
- Waste Minimization in Gas Treating & Processing - A RRC analysis of steps to implement waste minimization in gas treating and processing operations, linked to the RRC website.
- Waste Minimization in Pipeline Transportation - A RRC analysis of steps to implement waste minimization in pipeline transportation, linked to the RRC website.
- Waste Minimization in Production & Workover Operations - A RRC analysis of waste minimization steps in production and workover operations, linked to the RRC website.
- Annotated Bibliography of Waste Minimization Technology (RRC) (PDF)
- Field Guide for Reportable Surface Releases of Crude Oil in Non-Sensitive Areas
- Surface Waste Management Manual - This all-encompassing RRC published manual is linked to the agency's web site.
- Interim Guidance for Hazardous Waste (Statewide Rule 98)(PDF)
- Field Guide for the Assessment and Cleanup of Soil and Groundwater Contaminated with Condensate From a Spill Incident
- NORM - Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials
- Injection/Disposal Well Permit Testing and Monitoring Seminar Manual
- Railroad Commission of Texas Voluntary Cleanup Program
- Brownfields Policy
- Targeted VCP & Brownfields Assessment Sites (PDF)
ANDREWS KURTH OIL & GAS MANUAL
- Types of E&P Wastes (PDF)
- The RCRA Exemption (PDF)
- The IOCC Report (PDF)
- The CERCLA Petroleum Exclusion - Updated (PDF)
- The Texas Pit Rule (PDF)
- Oil & Gas Environmental Glossary (PDF)
- Hydraulic Fracturing: Unlocking America’s Natural Gas Resources A Primer (EPA 2010)(PDF)
- Hydraulic Fracturing Study Fact Sheet (EPA 2010)(PDF)
- EPA Formally Requests Information From Companies About Chemicals Used in Natural Gas Extraction/Information on hydraulic fracturing chemicals is key to agency study of potential impacts on drinking water
