The Division of Mineral Resources Management (DMRM) in the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates oil and gas drilling, producing, plugging, and oil field waste disposal operations. General environmental protection regulations are administered by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA).

Contact

Ohio Department if Natural Resources
Division of Mineral Resources Management
1855 Fountain Square, Building H-3
Columbus, OH 43224
(614) 265-6633 (phone)
(614) 265-7999 (fax)

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
P.O. Box 1049
Columbus, OH 43216-1049 (mailing address)

122 S. Front Street
Columbus, OH 43215 (street address)
(614) 644-3020 (phone)

Produced Water Management Practices and Applicable Regulations

The Ohio Revised Code (ORC) contains the statutory authority for the agency regulations promulgated in the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC). Pursuant to Title 15 (Conservation of Natural Resources), Chapter 1509 (Division of Mineral Resources Management — Oil and Gas), Section 1509.22(C) of the ORC, the DMRM is authorized to adopt rules and issue orders regarding the storage and disposal of "brine and other waste substances." Regulations governing produced water management have been promulgated in Title 1501:9 (Division of Mineral Resources Management), Chapter 1501:9-3 (Saltwater Operation) and Chapter 1501:9-5 (Enhanced Recovery) of the OAC.

• Brine Disposal
  • Prohibitions
• No person shall place brine in surface or ground water, or on the land in such quantities or in such a manner that causes or could reasonably be anticipated to cause: water used for consumption by humans or domestic animals to exceed the standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act.; or damage or injury to public health or safety or the environment. (Section 1509.22(A), ORC).
• No person shall dispose of brine in violation of Section 1509.226, ORC.
• No person shall dispose of brine in violation of a brine spreading resolution required by Section 1509.226, ORC.
• Options (Section 1509.22(C), ORC)
• Injection into a permitted conventional Class II injection well, permitted enhanced recovery injection well, or permitted annular disposal well
• Surface application for dust or ice control in accordance with an approved resolution
• Any other method approved by the Chief for testing or implementing a new technology

• Underground Injection Control
  • Permit to drill or convert to saltwater injection (1501:9-3-06, OAC)
    • Non-refundable application fee (1509.22(D), ORC)
    • Area of Review (1501:9-3-06(B)(1) & (2), ORC)
    • Legal Notice (1501:9-3-06(E)(1), OAC)
  • Construction of/conversion to saltwater injection
    • Permitted after June 1, 1982 (1501:9-3-05(A), OAC): surface casing set fifty feet below deepest underground source of drinking water (USDW) and sealed with cement; isolation of injected fluids by mechanically centralized casing and enclosed in cement not less than 300 feet above top of injection zone; and injection of saltwater through tubing and a packer set not more than 100 feet above the injection zone.
    • Initial testing (1501:9-3-05(C), OAC): prior to injection, a pressure test of the annulus between the tubing and casing is required. The test pressure is the maximum allowable injection pressure (1501:9-3-07(D), OAC), or 300 pounds per square inch, whichever is greater, for 15 minutes, with no more than five percent decline.
  • Operation, monitoring, and reporting (1501:9-3-07, OAC)
    • No fluids other than saltwater from oil and gas operations or standard well treatment fluids may be injected.
    • Injection owners must monitor injection pressures and injection volumes daily, as well as the annulus at least monthly at a pressure sufficient to detect leaks, and report to the Division annually.
    • If monitoring is not feasible, owners must perform a mechanical integrity test once every five years.
  • Enhanced recovery operations (1509.21, ORC and 1501:9-5, OAC)
    • Non-refundable application fee (1509.06(N), ORC)
    • Other requirements (1501:9-5-05, 1501:9-5-09, and 1501:9-5-10, OAC)
  • Annular disposal (1501:9-3-11, OAC)
    • Construction requirements (after June 19, 1989): surface casing set at least 50 feet below the deepest USDW and cemented to surface; and six hours notice required.
    • Mechanical integrity: In the course of initial test, electric bridge plug set at base of surface casing; surface casing filled with fresh water, pressure tested to 300 psi for 15 minutes with no more than five percent decline; or positive differential gas pressure test. The five-year test shall demonstrate mechanical integrity at least once every five years after initial test.
    • Volume limitations: maximum average of 10 barrels per day per year.
    • No pressure except gravity allowed.
    • Annual report required.
  • Brine transporter (1509.22, ORC)
    • Non-refundable registration fee
    • Annual report
    • Daily logs
    • Truck identification
    • Insurance
    • Surety bond, cash, or negotiable certificate of deposit
  • Surface application of brine on private property (1509.226, ORC)
    • County commissioners must adopt a resolution subject to minimum standards.
    • One public hearing must be conducted.
    • Notice of public hearing must be published in a newspaper of general circulation at least five days prior to the hearing.
    • Annual report for brine applied during preceding calendar year.
    • Non-refundable fee payable to the county.
    • Resolution valid for one year.
  • Surface application of brine on roads/other surface controlled by counties, townships, or municipalities (1509.226, ORC)
    • Board of county commissioners, township trustees, or the legislative authority of a municipal corporation may adopt a resolution subject to minimum standards.
    • Resolution is valid for one year, and from month to month thereafter, until the legislative authority, by resolution, terminates the authority granted.
    • One public hearing must be conducted.
    • Notice of public hearing must be published in a newspaper of general circulation at least five days prior to the hearing.
    • Annual report required for brine applied during preceding calendar year.
      
• The DMRM has published a Topical Summary of Ohio Oil and Gas Law.

Regulations administered by the Ohio EPA include those governing drinking water, groundwater, surface water, and solid waste management.