Department of Conservation - California SB 4 Well Stimulation Regulations Timeline

Department of Conservation - California SB 4 Well Stimulation regulations Timeline

It's been one year since the California Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) released proposed regulations implementing SB 4, and announced its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Report pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

SB 4 requires a scientific study, to be completed by January 1, 2015, that will among other things, evaluate all aspects and effects of well stimulation treatments, including the chemistry, use, management and disposition of treatment fluids, plus impacts on air quality, greenhouse gases, certain natural resources, noise, and induced seismicity. The study must include a risk assessment and analysis of occupational exposures.

On June 27, 2014, a readoption of the SB 4 interim well stimulation treatment regulations was filed with the Secretary of State. The interim regulations, which first went into effect on January 1, 2014, were adopted by an emergency rulemaking to ensure that essential implementing regulations were in effect when Senate Bill 4 became effective.

The final text of the readopted SB 4 interim well stimulation treatment regulations and other rulemaking documents can be found at:
http://www.conservation.ca.gov/index/Pages/prpsregs2.aspx

DOC's implementation of SB 4 also includes: 1) Development of an environmental impact report (EIR) by July 1, 2015. Find out more about the EIR development at:
http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dog/Pages/WellStimulation.aspx#Item3

2) Web-based posting of public notices about well stimulation permits applied for and issued by the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources. Find current well stimulation certifications here:
http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dog/Pages/WellStimulation.aspx#Item4


The Groundwater Monitoring Plan Directory can be found at:
ftp://ftp.consrv.ca.gov/pub/oil/Groundwater%20Monitoring%20Plan%20Directory

The Groundwater Monitoring Exemption Documents Directory can be found here:
ftp://ftp.consrv.ca.gov/pub/oil/SWRCB%20Concurrence%20Letters%20and%20Groundwater%20Monitoring%20Exemption%20Documents%20Directory


Effective January 1, 2014, Senate Bill 4 requires an operator to post, within 60 days following the cessation of a well stimulation treatment, specified information regarding the composition and disposition of well stimulation fluids, including, but not limited to, hydraulic fracturing fluids, acid well stimulation fluids, and flowback fluids, to a Chemical Disclosure Registry that is accessible to the public. Information provided by operators can be found here.
http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dog/Pages/WSTDisclosureDisclaimer.aspx

The Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources must certify an environmental analysis of SB 4 by July 1, 2015. Also the Natural Resources Agency must commission an independent scientific study of well stimulation by January 1, 2015.

California Department Of Conservation Well Stimulation Page
http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dog/Pages/WellStimulation.aspx#Item4

Frequently asked questions are at:
http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dog/Documents/Oct.%209,%202014%20updated%20SB%204%20regulations%20FAQs.pdf

A glossary of oil and gas terminology
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/oilandgas/glossary_of_terms/glossary_of_terms_g.html

The California Water Code Section 13267 orders, seeking information from 78 oil and gas operators in the central valley region can be found at:
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralvalley/water_issues/waste_to_land/index.shtml

Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources Interim Well Stimulation Treatment Notices Index. This page includes all notices regarding the use of well stimulation treatment provided to the Division by oil and gas operators under the interim regulations supporting SB 4. The notices include the well’s operator and location; the method of well stimulation; and duration, depth and other details of the treatment. The notices also include the operator’s self-certification that it has complied with SB 4, including notification of neighbors, identification of other nearby wells, and completion of a groundwater monitoring plan.
http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dog/Pages/IWST_disclaimer.aspx

By the month:
ftp://ftp.consrv.ca.gov/pub/oil/Well_Stimulation_Treatment_Notices/

Start by viewing the water documents related to the permit for a well stimulation treatment.
ftp://ftp.consrv.ca.gov/pub/oil/SWRCB%20Concurrence%20Letters%20and%20Groundwater%20Monitoring%20Exemption%20Documents%20Directory/

Here one will find the letters of concurrence from the State Water Resources Control Board for Groundwater Monitoring Exemptions. This is where one can find documents related to a well stimulation permit in the early stage of the process, i.e., the early inter-agency filings publicly available.

Need Help? Visit the Frac Tracker, at the Frac Tracker Alliance website:
http://www.fractracker.org/map/us/ca-land-cover/

The California Page at Frac Tracker

The FracTracker Alliance shares maps, data, and analyses to communicate impacts of the global oil and gas industry and informs actions that positively shape our energy future. A fundamental emphasis of FracTracker.org is to increase transparency of and access to data and information relating to unconventional oil and natural gas development. Frac Tracker Alliance believes in the concept of open data – that certain data should be freely available to everyone to use and republish as they wish, with as few restrictions as possible.

SB 4 requires a scientific study on well stimulation treatments. “On or before January 1, 2015, the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency shall cause to be conducted, and completed, an independent scientific study on well stimulation treatments, including, but not limited to, hydraulic fracturing and acid well stimulation treatments. The scientific study shall evaluate the hazards and risks and potential hazards and risks that well stimulation treatments pose to natural resources and public, occupational, and environmental health and safety.”

“Within six months of the completion of the study, a panel consisting of the heads of the Natural Resources Agency, the Air Resources Board, the California EPA, and the State Water Board, shall be convened to determine whether the study is complete and whether additional regulations are needed to protect the state and its people.”

A tentative copy of the report will be released, allowing the public 60 days for comments.

Once finalized, the report would be sent to the Governor and to any appropriate legislative committees. It will be up to the Governor to decide if fracking and other well stimulation activities can safely be continued.

Governor Brown has not yet been amenable to a moratorium.

Ban Fracking And Extreme Extraction
STEAM INJECTION IS LITERALLY GLOBAL WARMING
constant comments, and informative research links;
http://banslickwaterfracking.blogspot.com/

Tomas DiFiore