The Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (OGCC) regulates the drilling for and production of oil, gas, helium, carbon dioxide, and geothermal resources. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has the responsibility to protect public health by administering the state's environmental quality laws and delegated federal programs to prevent, control, and abate pollution of air, water, and land resources. The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), among other tasks, administers and enforces Arizona 's groundwater code and oversees the use of surface and groundwater resources under state jurisdiction.

Contact

Arizona Geological Survey
Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
416 West Congress Street, Suite 100
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 770-3500 (phone)
(520) 770-3505 (fax)

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
1110 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2935
(602) 771-2300 (phone)

Arizona Department of Water Resources

The Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (OGCC) has promulgated regulations governing oil and gas resources in Title 12, Chapter 7 of the Arizona Administrative Code (AAC). All other waste disposal, from the state perspective, is regulated by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) under AAC, Title 18. The Arizona Department of Water Resources rules are contained in AAC, Title 12, Chapter 15.

• OGCC Rule R12-7-175. Injection Wells Including Disposal Wells and Enhanced Oil Recovery Wells.
  • Class II injection wells include:
    • (a) Saltwater disposal wells — wells used to return salt water associated with oil and gas production to the subsurface (R12-7-175(1.)(a)); and
    • (b) Enhanced oil recovery wells — wells used to inject salt water in order to maintain and extend oil production (R12-7-175(1.)(b)).
  • Injection wells are subject to all applicable requirements governing construction, operation, and plugging and abandonment (R12-7-175(B)(1.)).
  • Injection well operations require the prior authorization by the OGCC (R12-7-176).
  • Operators must notify the OGCC of commencement, discontinuance, and transfer of injection operations (R12-7-178).
  • Operators must monitor injection wells, keep records, and run pressure or monitoring tests (R12-7-179).
  
   
• Other relevant regulations include:
  • AAC, Title 18 of the AAC (Environmental Quality)
  • AAC, Title 12, Chapter 15 (Water Resources)