Texas RRC proposes oil and gas waste regulation changes

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) has announced changes to Texas’ Statewide Rule 8, which regulates how oil and gas waste is managed within the state. 

Oil and gas waste is commonly disposed of in large open hole excavations called drilling pits. This waste contains significant volumes of diesel, salt water and heavy metals and is toxic to the local environment, including ground water, if the drilling pit liner is breached. The rule has existed in its current form since 1984 with minor modifications made since then.  

Calgary, Alberta-based Recover Inc., a waste-to-energy technology company that transforms oil and gas waste into transportation fuel, says it approves of RRC’s proposed changes. 

Recover is developing a waste-to-energy project that will be partially located on a landfill in the Permian Basin, an oilfield in western Texas and southeastern New Mexico. The changing regulations could result in a substantial redirection of oil and gas waste from drilling pits to landfills where Recover will be located, the company says.  

Recover says this regulatory change could be the catalyst to developing new waste-to-energy facilities within the oil and gas industry, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, producing a new clean fuel supply and creating employment opportunities.