Water Storage and Pipeline 

Infrastructure in Louisiana

5

th Annual Shale Play Water Management 

2014 : Southern States

Dallas, Texas

Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
Water Storage and Pipelines

• Freshwater Storage: LDOTD-Public Works

• E & P Water: LDNR-Office of Conservation

• Pipeline: LDNR-Office of Conservation
In-Ground Impoundments

Water Storage and Pipelines

• Not regulated and not reviewed: impoundments with 

barrier (e.g. dam, embankment, levee, etc) < 6 ft in 

height and with < 15 acre-feet storage capacity

• Reviewed but not regulated: impoundments with a 

barrier > 6 ft and < 25 acre-feet

• Regulated: impoundments > 25 acre-feet storage
Pre-Application 

for Construction

Water Storage and Pipelines

http://www.dotd.la.gov/intermodal/

dams/preapplication.aspx
Water Storage for 

Recycling

Regulated by: LDNR Office of Conservation

http://dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=ho

me&pid=134&pnid=21&nid=27
The Regulations

Found in Louisiana State Register, Louisiana 

Division of Administration (DOA)

 Title 43 (Natural Resources), Part 29 (Office of 

Conservation–General Operations), Subpart 1 

(Statewide Order No. 29-B), Chapter 3, Sections 

301-323

http://dnr.louisiana.gov/assets/OC/43XIX_Nov2011.pdf#page=22

Water Storage and Pipelines
Water Storage and Pipelines

Basic 

Definitions
Water Storage and Pipelines

General 

Requirements 

Disposal of 

produced water, 

types of usable 

wells, usage of 

pits, liner 

requirements
Water Storage and Pipelines

General 

Requirements 

Limitations on 

pits, pits in flood 

areas & coastal 

zones, 

notification for 

produced water 

and E&P waste
Water Storage and Pipelines

Notifications 

about usage of 

pits; pit 

classifications, 

standards, and 

operations 
Water Storage and Pipelines

Reserve pits, 

burn pits, well 

test pits
Water Storage and Pipelines

Emergency pits, 

natural gas 

processing plant 

pits, compressor 

station pits, salt 

dome cavern pits
Water Storage and Pipelines

Monitoring 

program, 

groundwater 

contamination, 

pit closures
Water Storage and Pipelines

Pit closure 

requirements, onsite disposal of 

E&P waste
Water Storage and Pipelines

Disposal of fluids 

by subsurface 

injection; 

application 

process; 

approval; 

requirements
Water Storage and Pipelines

Frac Water Recycling

Regulated by: LDNR Office of Conservation

http://dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=

134&pnid=21&nid=27
Water Storage and Pipelines

E&P Waste Fluids Use for Frac Water Supply

LAC 43:XIX.Subpart 1.Chapter 3 Amendment 

Allows Operators to Use E&P Waste Fluids for Frac 

Supply Purposes

Promulgated November 20, 2009

Amended June 20, 2010

Limitations:

1. Used as Frac Supply Only

2. By the Same Operator

3. With Operator Affidavit Confirming Landowner 

Consent

4. Waste types that can be used is limited
Water Storage and Pipelines

Fracture Stimulation Reclamation Fluid LAC 

43:XIX.Subpart 1. Chpt. 3 & 5 Amendment

Allows Off-site (Commercial) Waste Fluid Treatment for 

On-site Frac Water Supply Purposes

Promulgated November 20, 2010

Limitations:

1. Commercial Facility Permit Required

2. Frac Supply Use only at OC Permitted Frac

Operations

3. Well Operator Held Solely Responsible for Use

4. Waste Disposition Reporting Required

5. Waste types that can be used is limited
Water Storage and Pipelines

Pipelines

Regulated by: LDNR Office of Conservation

http://dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=54

&pnid=21&nid=30
Water Storage and Pipelines

LDNR Regulate Gathering and 

Transmission Pipelines for the 

following:

Natural Gas, Compressed Natural Gas, 

Liquid Natural Gas, Carbon Dioxide, Other 

Gases, Coal, Lignite & Hazardous Liquids
Water Storage and Pipelines

Water and Non-Hazardous 

E & P Waste 

No LDNR pipeline regulations

Except for:

• Right-of-way

• Wetland, Waterway, Coastal etc. by other local, 

state and federal 
Water Storage and Pipelines

• Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations 

Parts 191, 192, 195 & 199

• LAC Title 43 Part XI

Pipelines are Regulated 

under:
Get in touch with us!

Office of Conservation: 

617 North 3th Street 70802-5428

P. O. Box 94275 - Capitol Station

Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9275

Telephone: 225/342-5540

Lafayette Office

Richard D. Hudson, Dist. Mgr.

825 Kaliste Saloom Rd.

Brandywine III, Suite 220

Lafayette, LA 70508

Telephone: 337/262-5777

Fax: 337/262-5486

Shreveport Office

Joseph “Jackie” DeVall, Dist. Mgr.

1525 Fairfield Ave., Suite 668

Shreveport, LA 71101-4388

Telephone: 318/676-7585

Fax: 318/676-7486

Water Storage and Pipelines
THANK YOU

Water Storage and Pipelines