La. Admin. Code tit. 43 § XIX-547

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section XIX-547 - Commercial Exploration and Production Waste Treatment and Disposal Options

A. Commercial facilities and transfer stations may be permitted to conduct one or more of the following acceptable commercial E and P Waste treatment and disposal options.

1. Class II Injection Well. Produced salt water is required to be disposed by injection into a Class II well pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 4 of LAC 43:XIX. Other E and P Waste fluids may be injected into a Class II well upon approval of the Office of Conservation. Class II wells may be operated in conjunction with other treatment and disposal options. The requirements for permitting a Class II well are found in Chapter 4 of these regulations (LAC 43:XIX.401 et seq.).

2. Class II Well Slurry Fracture Injection. The process of mixing E and P Waste solids with fluids for subsurface injection. The solids/fluids mixture (slurry) is then pumped at or above fracture gradients into a suitably characterized subsurface reservoir. A series of fractures are created forming a sphere around the perforated interval. These fractures grow at different orientations around the wellbore and constitute the disposal domain. Slurry fracture injection can only be approved when appropriate regulations are adopted/promulgated.

3. Land Treatment. A dynamic process involving the controlled application of E and P Waste onto or into the aerobic surface soil horizon by a commercial facility, accompanied by continued monitoring and management, to alter the physical, chemical, and biological state of the E and P Waste. Site, soil, climate, and biological activity interact as a system to degrade and immobilize E and P Waste constituents thereby rendering the area suitable for the support of vegetative growth and providing for beneficial future land use or to meet the reuse criteria of §565 The requirements for permitting a land treatment system are found in §519. C and §523

4. Phase Separation. The process of treating or pretreating oil and gas E and P Waste by physical and/or chemical methods which separate the fluid (water), solid, and oily fractions. Such process can be accomplished by any number of methods, including, but not limited to the use of a centrifuge, belt-press, flocculation, or other methods. The fractions are then further treated or disposed by other acceptable methods. Fluids generally are required to be disposed of into a Class II disposal well. Solids may be further treated or disposed of by one of the options listed herewith. Oil may be sent to a salvage oil reclaimer or sold to a refiner. The equipment and processes utilized in phase separation of E and P Waste must be described in detail in the permit application.

5. Thermal Desorption. The process of heating E and P Waste in an enclosed chamber under either oxidizing or non-oxidizing atmospheres at sufficient temperature and residence time to vaporize organic contaminants from contaminated surfaces and surface pores and to remove the contaminants from the heating chamber in a gaseous exhaust system. The equipment and processes utilized in thermal desorption of E and P Waste must be described in detail in the permit application. The criteria for treatment of E and P Waste by thermal desorption will be set on a case-by-case basis.

6. Cavern Disposal. The utilization of a solution-mined salt cavern for the disposal of E and P waste fluids and solids. Applicants for permits and operators of commercial E and P waste salt cavern disposal wells must comply with the requirements of this Chapter (LAC 43:XIX.501 et seq.) and the applicable requirements of Statewide Order No. 29-M-2, LAC 43:XVII, 3101 et seq. (see §555).

7. Incineration. The burning of organic E and P Waste materials. This treatment/disposal technique is used to destroy organic compounds with the reduction of the material to its mineral constituents. The equipment and processes utilized to incinerate E and P Waste must be described in detail in the permit application. The criteria for treatment of E and P Waste by incineration will be set on a case-by-case basis.

8. Solidification (Chemical Fixation). The addition of agents to convert liquid or semi-liquid E and P Waste to a solid before burial to reduce leaching of E and P Waste material and the possible migration of the E and P Waste or its constituents from the facility. The equipment and processes utilized to solidify E and P Waste must be described in detail in the permit application. The criteria for treatment of E and P Waste by solidification will be set on a case-by-case basis.

9. Stabilization (Chemical Fixation). An E and P Waste treatment process that decreases the mobility or solubility of E and P Waste constituents by means other than solidification. Examples of stabilization techniques include chemical precipitation or pH alteration to limit solubility and mixing of E and P Waste with sorbents such as fly ash to remove free liquids. The equipment and processes utilized to stabilize E and P Waste must be described in detail in the permit application. The criteria for treatment of E and P Waste by stabilization will be set on a case-by-case basis.

B. The Office of Conservation will consider new and innovative treatment and/or disposal options on a case-by-case basis. The equipment and processes utilized by technologies other than those listed above to treat or dispose of E and P Waste must be described in detail in the permit application. The criteria for treatment of E and P Waste by other technologies will be set on a case-by-case basis.

C. Produced water (Waste Type 01-saltwater) is subject to the disposal restrictions of §503 C

D. Waste Types 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, and 99 (and associated washwater) may be treated and disposed by land treatment methods in accordance with the buffer (location) requirements of §507. A 3

E. Waste Type 12 and wash water (Waste Type 10) generated in the cleaning of vessels containing Waste Type 12 may not be land treated unless the MPC requirements of §503. F and G and §549. C.7.a are met.

F. All E and P Waste types may be treated or disposed by Class II slurry fracture injection, phase separation, thermal desorption, cavern disposal, incineration, solidification or stabilization methods.

La. Admin. Code tit. 43, § XIX-547

Promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources, Office of Conservation, LR 27:1911 (November 2001), amended LR 29:938 (June 2003), LR 34:1421 (July 2008).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:4 et seq.