The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), through the Supervisor of Wells, Office of Geological Survey, oversees the regulation of oil and gas activities. DEQ staff monitor the environmental impacts of well drilling operations, oil and gas production facilities, and gas storage wells.

Contact

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Geological and Land Management Division
P.O. Box 30256
Lansing, MI 48909-7756
(517) 241-1515 (phone)
(517) 241-1601 (fax)
(Organization Chart)

Produced Water Management Practices and Applicable Regulations

The rules governing oil and gas operations are contained in Part 615, Rules 324.101-324.1301 (Department of Environmental Quality, Oil and Gas Operations) of the Michigan Administrative Code.

• Disposal Regulations (Rules 324.701–324.705)
• The storage, transportation, or disposal of oil field waste resulting in pollution is generally prohibited (Rule 324.701).
• Pit disposal is generally prohibited (Rule 324.702).
• The emplacement through underground injection wells (for disposal and enhanced oil recovery) is subject to:
  • Compliance with the permitting regulations (Rules 324.201–324.216);
  • Formation approval and isolation from fresh water strata (Rule 324.703); and
  • Requirements governing adequate tubing and packer and maximum injection pressure (Rules 324.801–324.808).
• The use of annular space for disposal is prohibited subject to a temporary exception granted by the Supervisor (Rule 324.704).



• Land Disposal — Michigan allows only the following types of land disposal:
  • Limited disposal of produced brine by road-spreading
  • Pit disposal of drill cuttings and mud, subject to rules



• Great Lakes — Michigan law prohibits leasing of oil and gas rights in Great Lakes bottomlands, and prohibits drilling under the bottomlands, including directional drilling from land.



• Cavern Disposal — Michigan has vast bedded salt deposits of the Silurian Age Salina Group underlying the state. These deposits have been extensively solution-mined in some areas of the state and have been used for hydrocarbon storage. Thus far, no development or retrofitting of cavities for disposal of oil and gas waste have been requested.



• Forms Used with Part 615, Supervisor of Wells.