Publications

The original Primer on Modern Shale Gas Development in the United States was an effort to provide sound technical information on and additional insight into the relationship between natural gas resource development activity and environmental protection, especially water resource management, during the early development stages of this resource.

This 2023 update is intended to share information about the changes and innovation that have occurred over the past decade-plus as shale gas development has matured. Additionally, it outlines many of the current challenges in the industry including water management. Finally, this report also supports GWPC’s mission to protect national groundwater resources and promote capacity building in state regulatory agencies by providing the most up-to-date information possible on modern shale gas development.

In 2009 the GWPC conducted a study of existing oil and gas regulations designed to protect water resources. The selection of 27 states used in the initial study was based upon the 2007 list of producing states compiled by the U.S. Energy Information Administration and yielded a report titled “State Oil and Natural Gas Regulations Designed to Protect Water Resources.” This report was repeated in 2014, 2017 and 2021 using the same 27 states for comparison purposes. These reports were a statistical analysis that provided a count of the number of states that had rules related to a broad list of regulatory elements including permitting, hydraulic fracturing, temporary abandonment, well plugging and others.

In January 2023, the GWPC decided to undertake an addendum to the above report to cover three elements that had not previously been discussed. These elements are:

1. Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM); and
2. Financial assurance; and
3. Well setback requirements

In 2019, GWPC published a report entitled: "Produced Water Report: Regulations, Current Practices, and Research Needs." The report included contributions from numerous stakeholders regarding a sustainable future for PW management, including reuse. Though PW is already beneficially reused outside of the oil and gas industry, the Report noted that expanding external uses would be a vital factor contributing to the longevity of oil and gas exploration and production. The report also highlighted that additional dedicated research and technology development held the promise of making beneficial reuse safer.

Since its publication in 2019, the first GWPC Produced Water Report has been an important reference for industry stakeholders, and to retain that status, given the realized changes in the produced water marketplace, periodic updating is necessary. With that in mind, those changes are highlighted in this 2023 Report, which updates the most significant regulatory, operational, and technological advancements relevant to produced water, to present the current “state of the market” reference document for stakeholders.

This report was developed by the Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) as an update to the 2014 and 2017 editions of the publication, “State Oil and Natural Gas Regulations Designed to Protect Water Resources.” The purpose of this and earlier studies, based on a review of 27 state oil and gas agencies, was to describe selected areas and related elements of state oil and gas regulations designed to protect water resources and to generally describe the rule language and agency approaches related to those areas. This update describes the considerable progress that agencies continue to make as they update their oil and gas regulatory programs.

Withdrawal of oil and gas from reservoirs underground is typically escorted by “saltwater” or “brine,” which is described as produced water. This report documents the fourth effort to assess national produced water volumes and management practices employed by operators across various states and regions.

This document presents a curriculum for the training of regulatory staff who will review and approve Class VI permit applications and monitor Class VI projects. It is intended to provide regulators with information about the underground injection of carbon dioxide (CO2) for long-term storage. The curriculum focuses on areas of regulatory management of CO2 injection and storage that are not typically part of existing underground injection control programs. Note that the training envisioned by the curriculum is not designed to qualify someone to fully review a Class VI project or permit application or to regulate Class VI operations where in-depth training in specific areas of expertise is needed. In addition, the curriculum is intended to supplement, and not duplicate training prepared and in preparation by EPA.

The Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) and the Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) have been working together and with our members to support and promote state source water protection (SWP) program planning and implementation throughout the nation for many years. ASDWA’s members regulate and provide technical assistance and funding for the nation’s public water systems (PWSs). Many of GWPC’s members are also ASDWA members and regulate and provide technical assistance and funding for groundwater programs and permits.

The purpose of this guide is to provide introductory information about groundwater and the Underground Injection Control Program. The guide is intended for a broad audience and avoids the use of technical jargon to the extent possible in describing groundwater and UIC concepts.

The State Oil and Gas Regulatory Exchange (Exchange) released today a third edition of its report on induced seismicity,

These "Regulatory Elements for Well Integrity" are intended to provide regulators with a set of ideas to consider when improving oversight of the permitting, construction, operation and plugging of oil and gas wells. The Elements were developed by a group of state officials who met informally in conjunction with GWPC meetings in Nashville, Tennessee (2012); Sarasota, Florida (2012); and St. Louis (2013). The elements were updated by a small group of state officials in July 2020.

Published September 2020

This report is a snapshot of the California Class II UIC program as it existed in June 2018. The review team performed an in-depth review of the California UIC Class II program via a review of California laws and regulations, responses to a questionnaire, and a two-day state interview of DOGGR, SWRCB and Regional Water Board staff and management involved in the UIC program.

In February 2020, the Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) and Ground Water Research & Education Foundation (GWREF) released the report, “U.S. Produced Water Volumes and Management Practices in 2017.”This report focuses solely on produced water volumes and the types of water management practices that are used. It entails a third set of data, spaced five years apart, of produced water volumes and management. This will serve as an excellent resource for state and federal members, researchers, and others. For further information about this report please contact Mike Nickolaus at the GWPC mnickolaus@gwpc.org, 405.516.4972.

The State Oil and Gas Regulatory Exchange (Exchange) has released a peer assessment of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission's (COGCC’s) idle well program. The Exchange is a partnership between the Ground Water Protection Council (GPWC) and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) with a mission to assist states’ efforts to continuously improve their oil and gas regulatory programs. At the request of the COGCC, oil and gas regulators from Alabama, Alaska, and Arkansas reviewed Colorado's regulations relating to idle wells. In Colorado, idle wells represent any well that is shut-in, temporarily abandoned, suspended, or idle for any other reason and not properly plugged and abandoned to the requirements of the state. Through the Exchange assessment process, a team of state peers evaluates the appropriateness, effectiveness, and efficiency of existing regulations, regulatory initiatives, or overall programs. These efforts allow states to draw on the expertise of their peers and others for input on a broad range of topics depending on the requesting state’s needs. In Colorado, idle wells are wells that are shut-in, temporarily abandoned, suspended, or idle for any other reason and not properly plugged and abandoned to the requirements of the state

In September, 2019 the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division (OCD) requested that the Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) conduct a focused Peer Review of their Class II UIC program. These reviews were reinitiated nearly 4 years ago as part of the State Oil and Gas Regulatory Exchange (a joint project of the GWPC and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC)). Reviews have been conducted in 5 states since 2015. They involve an evaluation of the effectiveness of a state’s Class II UIC program, which demonstrates the ability of the UIC program to protect USDWs and public health. Equal effectiveness with Section 1422 SDWA programs is the standard required of Section 1425 delegated programs. This report details the findings of the peer review team, provides feedback on positive aspects of the program and offers suggestions for enhancing the effectiveness of the Class II UIC program managed by the OCD

The GWPC released a 'Produced Water Report' on June 24, 2019, that examines current regulations, practices, and research needed to expand the use of produced water, a byproduct of oil and gas production, as a resource.

Led by its member states, the GWPC brought together a collaboration of scientists, regulatory officials, members of academia, the oil and gas industry, and environmental groups to explore roles produced water might play in developing greater water certainty. The report consists of three focused modules which include:

• Module 1: Current Legal, Regulatory & Operational Frameworks
• Module 2: Produced Water Reuse in Unconventional Oil & Gas Operations
• Module 3: Produced Water Reuse & Research Needs Outside Oil & Gas Operations

Freshwater stress is driven by rising populations, regional droughts, declining groundwater levels and several other factors. When surface water is scarce, communities and industries typically turn to groundwater to meet their freshwater needs.  Produced water may become a resource that could reduce the use of freshwater for some of these needs in specific locations.  

The State Oil & Gas Regulatory Exchange (the Exchange) released today a Peer Assessment of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission's Well Integrity program. The Exchange is an outreach program led by the states and facilitated by the Ground Water Protection Council and Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission with a mission to assist states’ efforts to continuously improve their oil and gas regulatory programs. In 2018, COGCC requested the Exchange conduct a peer assessment of the Commission’s Well Integrity regulations as well as other topics. Through this peer assessment by the Exchange Assessment Team, the Commission sought to obtain the perspective of other state oil and gas regulators on Colorado’s regulatory regime that specifically focused on insights into best practices and leading edge thought among state oil and gas regulators from around the country. The review team was tasked to identify any perceived regulatory gaps or inefficiencies, insights into other states’ approaches to regulating the same or similar topics, and suggested modifications to existing or addition of new rules. 

The State Oil & Gas Regulatory Exchange (SOGRE) released today a Peer Assessment of Virginia's Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy, Division of Oil and Gas. SOGRE is an outreach program created under the States First Initiative. The mission of the SOGRE is to assist states to continually improve state oil and gas regulatory programs by providing member states consultation and program assessment services targeted to their specific needs. Virginia’s Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME): Division of Gas and Oil (Division) regulates the exploration and production of natural gas and oil in the Commonwealth through the Virginia Gas and Oil Act (the Act) and its attendant regulations. As a follow up to a 2017 STRONGER Review, Deputy Director, Bradley Lambert approached the State Oil & Gas Regulatory Exchange (SOGRE) in writing requesting additional analysis. Mr. Lambert said, “DMME appreciated STRONGER’s largely positive feedback and has incorporated many of its recommendations. However, DMME believes there are a couple of aspects of its regulatory program that could benefit from a more in depth, granular review. Therefore, DMME respectfully requests SOGRE examine the following areas: The existing laws and regulations that govern exploration and production of oil and gas resources in the eastern half of the Commonwealth (Commonly referred to as the Tidewater region) Whether DMME should adopt regulations governing Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) and whether those regulations should apply statewide or only in specific regions.

States First, an initiative of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and the Ground Water Protection Council, is pleased to announce the release of its Second Edition of the report entitled “Potential Injection-Induced Seismicity Associated with Oil & Gas Development:  A Primer on Technical and Regulatory Considerations Informing Risk Management and Mitigation.”  This 2017 revision of the 2015 report contains numerous additions, updates, clarifications and corrections which will help regulators and the public understand aspects of induced seismicity and its relationship to underground injection and hydraulic fracturing.  The report was developed by a workgroup consisting of scientists, engineers and regulators and represents a consensus view on the issues surrounding induced seismicity.  For further information about this report please contact Mike Nickolaus at the GWPC 

The Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) conducts the Class II UIC Peer Review process under the joint GWPC and Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) “StatesFirst” Initiative. The purpose of this process is to assess the effectiveness of Class II UIC programs that have been delegated to states under Sections 1422 or 1425 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The peer review of the Class II UIC program administered by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Oil and Gas (OOG) was conducted by a review team made up of UIC managers and technical staff from state Class II agencies of states outside of the USEPA region in which West Virginia resides (Region 3). This included an in-state interview of OOG staff and management at the OOG office in Charleston, West Virginia on March 21, 2017. The in-state interview was based on responses to a comprehensive questionnaire completed by the state UIC staff and follow-up questions posed to the UIC staff during the interview. In addition, the interview team members reviewed the state’s statutes and rules governing the UIC program and other materials provided by the state.

The Ground Water Protection Council is pleased to announce the release of its report “State Oil and Natural Gas Regulations Designed to Protect Water Resources”, Third Edition.  This report provides a compiled list of regulatory elements such as permitting, well integrity, hydraulic fracturing, well plugging, pits, tanks and spill management.  These are presented in a graphical form which details the number of states that implement them.  In addition, the report describes the regulatory framework under which oil and natural gas field operations are managed and suggests a series of regulatory considerations for agencies to review and, as appropriate, implement.  The report covers regulations as of January, 2016.

A national Natural Gas Storage Work Group released this report on underground gas storage that evaluates potential vulnerabilities at gas storage operations and identifies prospective regulatory responses for consideration by state and federal agencies. Most underground gas storage facilities have safe histories of operation and allow large supplies of gas to be stored during times of low demand, and withdrawn from storage when demand for natural gas is high; thereby reducing the need for larger transmission pipelines and allowing for continuous supply of gas in the event of supply interruptions. However, when an accident occurs it can have dramatic impacts to public health, safety and the environment. The work group, which was led by states from across the country and was organized by the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and Ground Water Protection Council, developed the report “Underground Gas Storage Regulatory Considerations” to serve as a resource for regulatory agencies and includes input from experts in academia, industry, non-profit organizations, and other state and federal agencies.

Alternative Water Supplies section of the Groundwater Report to the Nation

Our groundwater resources are in serious need of attention. Abundant, high quality, low-cost groundwater resources are fundamental to the long-term growth and vitality of our nation, yet this most important resource is often overlooked, if not neglected. Attention to the protection and management of groundwater has consistently lagged behind that given to surface waters, meaning that historic and current water resource laws and policies deal primarily with the protection and management of our more visible lakes, rivers, and wetlands.The purpose of the Ground Water Report to the Nation is to highlight some of the more prevalent threats to groundwater, share sucess stories, and make recommendations for improved groundwater protection and awareness.  Note: Please visit the Ground Water Report to the Nation topics page for individual chapters of the report.

This review of the State of Ohio was finalized in January 2017 by a team of Class II program managers from other state programs and overseen by the GWPC.  We would like to thank the State of Ohio for their assistance to the review team and we look forward to working with other states as we move forward with additional reviews.

The State Oil and Gas Regulatory Exchange (SOGRE), an innovative regulatory improvement program created under the States First Initiative by two state-based organizations, finds Idaho’s oil and gas regulatory structure to be mostly in line with the regulatory practices of other oil and gas producing states, and provides guidance for Idaho as its regulation of oil and gas exploration, drilling and production continues to evolve. Team members of this SOGRE assessment presented its final assessment report of Idaho’s oil and gas statutory authorities and implementing regulations during a joint meeting of the Idaho Senate Resources and Environment Committee and Idaho House Resources and Conservation Committee today. This is the final report.

These "Regulatory Elements for Well Integrity" are intended to provide regulators with a set of ideas to consider when improving oversight of the permitting, construction, operation and plugging of oil and gas wells. The Elements were developed by a group of state officials who met informally in conjunction with GWPC meetings in Nashville, Tennessee (September 23 – 26, 2012), Sarasota, Florida (January 22 – 24, 2012), and St. Louis (September 22 – 25, 2013).

This review of the State of Nebraska was finalized in April, 2016 by a team of Class II program managers from other state programs and overseen by the GWPC.  We would like to thank the State of Nebraska and the staff of the Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission for their assistance to the review team and we look forward to working with other states as we move forward with additional reviews.

The principal objective of this project was to compile information in order to better understand produced water discharge, disposal, and re-use issues, regulatory requirements, options and opportunities in the state of Oklahoma.

GWPC announces the publication of the first Class II UIC program peer review conducted under the revamped peer review process. This process, a joint GWPC and States First initiative, is designed to assist states by evaluating their Class II UIC programs, recognizing the positive aspects of a program, and offering suggestions for improvement. This review of the State of Utah, which was conducted in November, 2015 by a team of Class II program managers from other state programs and overseen by the GWPC, is the first of what GWPC hopes will be a series of state reviews to be conducted in the future.  We would like to thank the State of Utah and the staff of the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining for their assistance to the review team and we look forward to working with other states as we move forward into 2016 and beyond.

Thirteen states partnered through a multi-state initiative called StatesFirst in 2015 to share and summarize current knowledge related to earthquakes potentially caused by human activity, otherwise referred to as induced seismicity.

The work group comprised of members of state oil and natural gas and geological agencies and other advisory experts from academia, industry, non-profit organizations and federal agencies released a Primer to provide a guide for regulatory agencies to evaluate and develop strategies to mitigate and manage risks of injection induced seismicity. The Primer also outlines how states can best provide information to the public in a transparent and effective manner.

4/15/2015 The Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) is pleased to provide an updated version of our 2009 report on U.S. Produced Water Volumes and Management Practices.  This 2015 report, which contains data for 2012, discusses the amounts of water brought to the surface during oil and gas production and details many of the current minimization, treatment, re-use and disposal protocols used to manage produced water.  It also contains state by state produced water summaries.  The report was developed for the GWPC by John Veil of Veil Environmental, LLC.  We think you will find this report both thorough and valuable. 

In step with dramatic industry growth over the past five years, states have substantially improved ground water protection laws and regulations governing oil and natural gas production. State regulatory strategies differ in response to unique local circumstances and characteristics; over time, they evolve to address public concerns about the safety and environmental impact of oil and gas development, as well as rapidly changing technologies, new field discoveries, revised leading operational practices, internal and external reviews, and regulatory experience.

This report is part of an update to the Ground Water Protection Council’s 2009 Report, State Oil and Gas Regulations Designed to Protect Water Resources.1 The purpose is to document and outline the range of definitions and requirements for protecting groundwater, based on the regulations of oil and gas agencies and water quality protection agencies in 27 oil and gas producing states. The report is divided into two parts, the first documents the groundwater protection standards for oil and gas agencies and the second part addresses the standards for the water quality protection agencies within the same states. The scope is limited to an overview of regulations that address groundwater quality protection standards through policy statements, definitions, technical requirements such as well casing and cementing depths, groundwater classification and groundwater protection standards.

The topic of induced seismicity, or earthquakes caused by human activities, and in particular seismicity associated with hydraulic fracturing and disposal wells, has been the source of heightened interest and controversy over the past several years. To help disseminate factual information on the subject, the Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) and its research arm, the Ground Water Research and Education Foundation (GWREF), decided to include sessions on induced seismicity in two of the organization’s 2013 conferences.

An introductory brochure on the use, operation, and regulation of underground injection wells.

This special technology transfer session for seismologists, regulators, and other stakeholders entitled “Assessing & Managing Risk of Induced Seismicity by Injection” was a part of the GWREF Spotlight Series.

The purpose of the Forum was to explore the technical and scientific basis for stray gas investigations including the fundamentals of the physical and chemical properties of methane, and factors that influence the occurrence, migration, and fate of methane in the shallow subsurface environment. The conference agenda was structured to address the diverse topics and issues that should be considered during the course of an emergency stray gas incident response.

The role of state oil and gas agencies in protecting groundwater through investigation and regulatory reform.

This report lays a foundation for states to accurately project additional personnel and associated costs and supporting capital outlay for a Class VI primacy program for “large-scale” geosequestration. The Underground Injection Control (UIC) program, expected to be the resident instrument for implementing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s sequestration regulatory program, has provided the framework for the safe and effective isolation of fluids injected underground for 30 years.

A primer on the development of shale gas reservoirs through hydraulic fracturing and other means.