As Seen in Journal
New Mexico oil and natural gas producers will be required to disclose the fluids used in hydraulic fracturing operations under a proposal approved by the state Oil Conservation Commission.
The commission made a unanimous decision to support the disclosure rule during a hearing Thursday in Santa Fe.
The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association submitted the proposal in an effort to address public concerns about the practice.
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, involves pumping water, sand and other chemicals underground to free oil and gas trapped in the rock.
The commission says the rule’s final language will be issued in January.
Under the rule, a company will have to list the ingredients of its fracking fluids on a form for the commission. Operators can also voluntarily post the information to an online registry called FracFocus.
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Nov. 17, 2011 8:54 a.m. — N.M. Regulators Consider Fracking Disclosure Rule
By Susan Montoya Bryan / The Associated Press
New Mexico oil and natural gas producers would be required to disclose the fluids used in hydraulic fracturing operations under a proposal pending before the state Oil Conservation Commission.
A public hearing before the commission begins today in Santa Fe.
The New Mexico Oil and Gas Association submitted the proposal in an effort to address public concerns about the practice, which involves pumping water, sand and other chemical compounds underground to free oil and gas trapped in the rock.
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has been used for decades to enhance well production, but federal regulators have been investigating whether the practice is contaminating drinking water supplies.
Industry officials in New Mexico contend the process is well regulated and that there have been no documented cases of contamination in the state that stem from fracking.
“We felt like it was appropriate to step out and advance a rule that would create a registry that would be accessible so people could view that and understand what is being injected deep underground to stimulate these wells,” said Steve Henke, president of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association.
Some companies operating in the state already voluntarily disclose details about their fracking fluids, but Henke said the practice should be mandatory.
Oil and gas developers have worked with regulators and environmentalists in other states to develop disclosure rules, but Henke said he believes the association’s proposal represents the first time industry has proposed such a rule on its own.
While the association touts its willingness to embrace transparency and accountability, environmentalists have described the proposed disclosure rule as weak, saying more needs to be done to ensure groundwater safeguards.
Under the proposal, a company would post the ingredients of its fracking fluids to an online registry called FracFocus.
There are concerns some chemicals in the fracking formulas could be kept secret for competitive reasons. Another concern is that the proposal does not require disclosure until 45 days after the completion or hydraulic fracturing of a well.
The New Mexico Environmental Law Center and Earthwork’s Oil and Gas Accountability Project plan to submit testimony in favor of a stronger rule.
The groups are pushing for advance public notice for fracking activities and more disclosure details, such as the type and volume of the base fluid used as well as each additive and the chemical ingredients in those additives.
The commission planned to take both public comments and expert testimony on Thursday. The hearing could last through Friday.
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5:36am 11/17/11 — N.M. Regulators Eye Fracking Disclosure Rule
New Mexico oil and natural gas producers would be required to disclose the fluids used in hydraulic fracturing operations under a proposal pending before the state Oil Conservation Commission.
The commission will hear the matter beginning today in Santa Fe.
The proposal was submitted by the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association in an effort to address concerns about the practice. Association president Steve Henke says the proposal represents the industry’s willingness to be transparent and accountable.
Environmentalists say changes are needed to make the rule stronger.
Hydraulic fracturing has been used for decades to enhance oil and gas production from wells, but federal regulators have been investigating whether the practice is contaminating drinking-water supplies.
Industry officials in New Mexico say there are no reports that fracking has ever resulted in groundwater contamination in the state.