Produced Water Compliance in Oil and Gas: Regulatory and Permitting Challenges, Management, Beneficial Use

Advances in produced water management for oil and gas operations are creating new opportunities to reuse or put produced water to other beneficial uses. Produced water results from many stages of oil and gas drilling and production. With the increased use of hydraulic fracturing, there are increased concerns about the potential impact on the environment, including improper waste management.

Produced water, among other waste products resulting from oil and gas exploration and production, is subject to federal and state regulation. Counsel must understand the regulatory trends and requirements to address changes in produced water management.

For example, in 2015, New Mexico repealed and replaced its existing produced water regulation. The new rule is broader in scope and regulates the reuse and recycling of produced water to reduce reliance on fresh water for well completions.

Listen as our authoritative panel examines the evolving regulatory trends and policies to address changes in produced water management and to promote produced water reuse and beneficial use. The presenters will also explore permitting challenges for produced water appropriation and disposal, evolving use opportunities, areas of regulatory uncertainty, and how states are addressing the issue of produced water.

1. Regulation of produced water
   1. Federal
   2. State
2. Permitting
   1. Appropriation
   2. Disposal
3. Produced water management
4. Liability concerns

The panel will review these and other key issues:

• What are the legal risks to the company that captures produced water?
• How does federal and state regulation of produced water differ and create compliance challenges?
• What are the permitting challenges regarding produced water appropriation and disposal?