Permitting Shale Gas Development

Permitting Shale Gas Development PDF Author: Emily A. Collins
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 23

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Book Description
As a matter of historical practice and an exemption from the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the regulatory framework for shale gas extraction currently resides within state permitting and enforcement structures. The 11th Circuit decision in Legal Environmental Assistance Foundation v. U.S. EPA prompted federal agency study, which resulted in Congress expressly excluding "the underground injection of fluids or propping agents (other than diesel fuels) pursuant to hydraulic fracturing operations related to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities" from the definition of "underground injection." Thus, in keeping with traditional regulation of on-shore oil and gas development and groundwater, states have been left to their own devices in addressing any potential underground migration of fluids and gas as a result of hydraulic fracturing activities.Left without a federal floor of minimal regulation in permitting shale gas extraction, states have routinely modified their statutes and rules to address increasing public concern and to reflect enhanced understanding of well construction and the hydraulic fracturing process. Yet, most states have not fully utilized their statutory authority to address the environmental risk assessment that would take place if the exemption of hydraulic fracturing activities from the federal definition of "underground injection" were not present. Rather than using their statutory authority to evaluate potential environmental impacts from shale gas extraction proposals, most states permitting of oil and gas development have stuck to a traditional role: require minimum well construction standards, setbacks, and a process for groundwater supply replacement. This approach differs dramatically from the predictive model-based approach of permitting underground injection control wells.

Permitting Shale Gas Development

Permitting Shale Gas Development PDF Author: Emily A. Collins
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 23

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Book Description
As a matter of historical practice and an exemption from the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the regulatory framework for shale gas extraction currently resides within state permitting and enforcement structures. The 11th Circuit decision in Legal Environmental Assistance Foundation v. U.S. EPA prompted federal agency study, which resulted in Congress expressly excluding "the underground injection of fluids or propping agents (other than diesel fuels) pursuant to hydraulic fracturing operations related to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities" from the definition of "underground injection." Thus, in keeping with traditional regulation of on-shore oil and gas development and groundwater, states have been left to their own devices in addressing any potential underground migration of fluids and gas as a result of hydraulic fracturing activities.Left without a federal floor of minimal regulation in permitting shale gas extraction, states have routinely modified their statutes and rules to address increasing public concern and to reflect enhanced understanding of well construction and the hydraulic fracturing process. Yet, most states have not fully utilized their statutory authority to address the environmental risk assessment that would take place if the exemption of hydraulic fracturing activities from the federal definition of "underground injection" were not present. Rather than using their statutory authority to evaluate potential environmental impacts from shale gas extraction proposals, most states permitting of oil and gas development have stuck to a traditional role: require minimum well construction standards, setbacks, and a process for groundwater supply replacement. This approach differs dramatically from the predictive model-based approach of permitting underground injection control wells.

Modern Shale Gas Development in the United States

Modern Shale Gas Development in the United States PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Natural gas
Languages : en
Pages : 116

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Book Description


Shale Gas and the Future of Energy

Shale Gas and the Future of Energy PDF Author: John C. Dernbach and James R. May
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 178347615X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 343

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Book Description
The rapid growth of shale gas development has led to an intense and polarizing debate about its merit. This book asks and suggests answers to the question that has not yet been systematically analysed: what laws and policies are needed to ensure that shale gas development helps to accelerate the transition to sustainability? In this groundbreaking book, more than a dozen experts in policy and academia assess the role that sustainability plays in decisions concerning shale gas development in the US and elsewhere, offering legal and policy recommendations for developing shale gas in a manner that accelerates the transition to sustainability. Contributors assess good practices from Pennsylvania to around the planet, discussing how these lessons translate to other jurisdictions. Ultimately, the book concludes that major changes in law and policy are needed to develop shale gas sustainably. Policymakers and educators alike will find this book to be a valuable resource, as it tackles the technical, social, economic and legal aspects associated with this sustainability issue. Other strengths are its clear language and middle-ground policy perspective that will make Shale Gas and the Future of Energy accessible to both students and the general public.

Onshore Permitting Systems Analysis for Coal, Oil, Gas, Geothermal and Oil Shale Leases. Final Report

Onshore Permitting Systems Analysis for Coal, Oil, Gas, Geothermal and Oil Shale Leases. Final Report PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The magnitude and complexity of permit processes raises a question as to their impact on the rate and scope of industrial development activity. One particular area where this issue is of concern is in new energy extraction and development activities. The initiation of new energy projects has been a national priority for several years. But, energy projects, because of their potential for creating land disturbances, are subject to many environmental and other regulations. Because of this, the permitting required of energy resource developers is extensive. Within the energy field, a major portion of development activities occurs on federal lands. This is particularly true in the Rocky Mountain states and Alaska where the principal landholder is the federal government. The permitting requirements for federal lands' development differ from those for private lands. This report assesses the impact of permitting processes for energy resource development on federal lands. The permitting processes covered include all of the major environmental, land-use, and safety permits required by agencies of federal and state governments. The lands covered include all federal lands, with emphasis on eight states with major development activities.

Unconventional Oil and Gas Development

Unconventional Oil and Gas Development PDF Author: U. s. Government Accountability Office
Publisher: Createspace Independent Pub
ISBN: 9781482771534
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Book Description
As with conventional oil and gas development, requirements from eight federal environmental and public health laws apply to unconventional oil and gas development. For example, the Clean Water Act (CWA) regulates discharges of pollutants into surface waters. Among other things, CWA requires oil and gas well site operators to obtain permits for discharges of produced water—which includes fluids used for hydraulic fracturing, as well as water that occurs naturally in oil- or gas-bearing formations—to surface waters. In addition, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) governs the management and disposal of hazardous wastes, among other things. However, key exemptions or limitations in regulatory coverage affect the applicability of six of these environmental and public health laws. For example, CWA also generally regulates stormwater discharges by requiring that facilities associated with industrial and construction activities get permits, but the law and its regulations largely exempt oil and gas well sites. In addition, oil and gas exploration and production wastes are exempt from RCRA hazardous waste requirements based on a regulatory determination made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1988. EPA generally retains its authorities under federal environmental and public health laws to respond to environmental contamination. All six states in GAO's review implement additional requirements governing activities associated with oil and gas development and have updated some aspects of their requirements in recent years. For example, all six states have requirements related to how wells are to be drilled and how casing—steel pipe within the well—is to be installed and cemented in place, though the specifics of their requirements vary. The states also have requirements related to well site selection and preparation, which may include baseline testing of water wells before drilling or stormwater management. Oil and gas development on federal lands must comply with applicable federal environmental and state laws, as well as additional requirements. These requirements are the same for conventional and unconventional oil and gas development. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees oil and gas development on approximately 700 million subsurface acres. BLM regulations for leases and permits govern similar types of activities as state requirements, such as requirements for how operators drill the well and install casing. BLM recently proposed new regulations for hydraulic fracturing of wells on public lands. Federal and state agencies reported several challenges in regulating oil and gas development from unconventional reservoirs. EPA officials reported that conducting inspection and enforcement activities and having limited legal authorities are challenges. For example, conducting inspection and enforcement activities is challenging due to limited information, such as data on groundwater quality prior to drilling. EPA officials also said that the exclusion of exploration and production waste from hazardous waste regulations under RCRA significantly limits EPA's role in regulating these wastes. In addition, BLM and state officials reported that hiring and retaining staff and educating the public are challenges. For example, officials from several states and BLM said that retaining employees is difficult because qualified staff are frequently offered more money for private sector positions within the oil and gas industry.

Lake Erie Natural Gas Resource Development, Permit (NY,PA,OH)

Lake Erie Natural Gas Resource Development, Permit (NY,PA,OH) PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 432

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Book Description


Marcellus Shale Gas

Marcellus Shale Gas PDF Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 104

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Book Description


Economics of Unconventional Shale Gas Development

Economics of Unconventional Shale Gas Development PDF Author: William E. Hefley
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319114999
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 248

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Book Description
This book examines the economics and related impacts of unconventional shale gas development. While focusing on the Marcellus and Utica Shales in the Mid-Atlantic region, additional insights from other regions are included to provide a broader view of these issues. Shale gas development in recent years has changed the energy discussion in the US, as existing reserves of natural gas coupled with horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing make exploitation of these reserves economically feasible. The importance of natural gas is seen as likely to continue to expand over the coming years, and is expected to increase even further with environmental considerations, such as greenhouse gas emissions. Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing producing natural gas from deposits such as the Marcellus Shale is making the US a net producer of natural gas. Previous studies have examined the economic impact of exploration and production in the region. Other studies have addressed legal, environmental, biodiversity, and public health impacts of unconventional shale development. This is the first volume to focus solely on the economics and related financial impacts of this development. This book not only fills the research gap, but also provides information that policy makers and the public need to better understand this pressing issue.

Regulations Concerning Oil and Gas Permits and Leases (including Relief Measures) and Rights of Way for Oil and Gas Pipe Lines. Authorized by Act of February 25, 1920 (public No. 146).

Regulations Concerning Oil and Gas Permits and Leases (including Relief Measures) and Rights of Way for Oil and Gas Pipe Lines. Authorized by Act of February 25, 1920 (public No. 146). PDF Author: United States. General Land Office
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Natural gas pipelines
Languages : en
Pages : 64

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Book Description


Governing Shale Gas

Governing Shale Gas PDF Author: John Whitton
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317267567
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 382

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Book Description
Shale energy development is an issue of global importance. The number of reserves globally, and their potential economic return, have increased dramatically in the past decade. Questions abound, however, about the appropriate governance systems to manage the risks of unconventional oil and gas development and the ability for citizens to engage and participate in decisions regarding these systems. Stakeholder participation is essential for the social and political legitimacy of energy extraction and production, what the industry calls a 'social license' to operate. This book attempts to bring together critical themes inherent in the energy governance literature and illustrate them through cases in multiple countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, South Africa, Germany and Poland. These themes include how multiple actors and institutions – industry, governments and regulatory bodies at all scales, communities, opposition movements, and individual landowners – have roles in developing, contesting, monitoring, and enforcing practices and regulations within unconventional oil and gas development. Overall, the book proposes a systemic, participatory, community-led approach required to achieve a form of legitimacy that allows communities to derive social priorities by a process of community visioning. This book will be of great relevance to scholars and policy-makers with an interest in shale gas development, and energy policy and governance.