Ohio epa underground injection control program

The purpose of the prehearing conference is to focus the issues in dispute, explore the possibility of settlement of the controversy, and discuss preliminary schedules for discovery and hearing if settlement of the case appears unlikely.

Most adjudication cases before Ohio EPA, as with most cases in any tribunal, settle without going to formal litigation. As long as all parties agree that settlement negotiations are being actively and productively pursued, the hearing officer will encourage efforts to resolve cases informally.

If a case cannot be resolved informally, or cannot be resolved within a reasonable period of time, the case will proceed to a formal adjudication hearing. Following the adjudication hearing and post-hearing briefing, the hearing officer submits a Report and Recommendation to the Director.

The parties have an opportunity to file objections to the Report and Recommendation, and then the Director issues final Findings and Orders. This final action is then appealable to ERAC. Can't find what you're looking for? Ohio Department. Web Content Viewer. Contact Us. Contact List. Customer Support Center. Access Public Records. Public Notices. Privacy Notice. Several sections of the SDWA address injection activities, as described below. This section also addresses how underground injection can endanger USDWs.

This section provides application timelines and public participation requirements for states seeking primacy. This section also specifies how tribes may apply for primacy. This section describes civil and criminal actions, including the amount of any penalty levied. Describes optional demonstrations a state may make for the portion of the UIC program relating to oil and natural gas operations.

The Report to Congress includes information on Class V well inventory, well types, design and construction recommendations, and risks associated with discharged wastes.

This section addresses ways to identify improved methods for protecting USDWs Establishes grants for primacy programs. Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem. The Division protects Ohio's groundwater resources by regulating the disposal of brine and other wastes produced from the drilling, stimulation, and production of oil and natural gas in Ohio. EPA in Ohio's Class II disposal wells include conventional brine injection wells, annular disposal wells, and enhanced oil recovery injection wells.

Enhanced recovery injection wells are used to increase the production of hydrocarbons from nearby producing wells. Division UIC personnel review construction specifications, engineering, geological data, and issue permits for Class II wells used to inject fluids, primarily oil-field brine, into deep, underground geological formations for disposal or for secondary oil recovery. The Division also regulates the hauling and spreading of oil-field brine.

Brine haulers in Ohio are required to be registered, bonded, and insured with the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management.

Oil-field brine is a saline by-product generated during oil and gas well operations. The salinity, or dissolved content, of Ohio oil-field brines vary considerably from one geologic formation and can vary regionally within the same formation. Ohio brines can be more than six times as salty as seawater.

Approximately 98 percent of all brine is safely disposed of by injection back into brine-bearing or depleted oil and gas formations deep below the surface. Nearly two percent is spread for dust and ice control subject to local government approval and requirements. Visit the Documents and Forms page. Groundwater Protection Council, wwwgwpc.

A well constructed and used for the sole purpose of disposing of saltwater, a byproduct of oil and natural gas production. A saltwater injection well is constructed to isolate the injected fluid in a specific formation and prevent contamination of freshwater. An enhanced oil recovery project is composed of both injection wells and withdrawal wells. In some cases, the substance injected is produced saltwater brine. Enhanced recovery project injection wells are subject to the same permitting, construction, operation, and monitoring requirements as saltwater injection wells.

Annular disposal is a method of disposal in which a producing oil and gas well is also used to dispose of saltwater. The saltwater is injected between the surface casing and the production casing, as shown in the diagram.