Water Disposal and Discharge in 

Louisiana

5

th Annual Shale Play Water Management 

2014 : Southern States

Dallas, Texas

Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
Water Impoundments and 

Pits

Water Disposal and Discharge

http://dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=134&

pnid=21&nid=27

Regulated by: 

LDNR Office of Conservation
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 Disposal and Discharge
Basic 

Definitions

Water Disposal and Discharge
General 

Requirements 

Disposal of 

produced water, 

types of usable 

wells, usage of 

pits, liner 

requirements

Water Disposal and Discharge
General 

Requirements 

Limitations on 

pits, pits in flood 

areas & coastal 

zones, 

notification for 

produced water 

and E&P waste

Water Disposal and Discharge
Notifications 

about usage of 

pits; pit 

classifications, 

standards, and 

operations 

Water Disposal and Discharge
Reserve pits, 

burn pits, well 

test pits

Water Disposal and Discharge
Emergency pits, 

natural gas 

processing plant 

pits, compressor 

station pits, salt 

dome cavern pits

Water Disposal and Discharge
Monitoring 

program, 

groundwater 

contamination, 

pit closures

Water Disposal and Discharge
Pit closure 

requirements, onsite disposal of 

E&P waste

Water Disposal and Discharge
Pit closure 

requirements, 

contd.

Water Disposal and Discharge
Off-site disposal 

of E&P waste

Water Disposal and Discharge
Disposal of fluids 

by subsurface 

injection; 

application 

process; approval; 

requirements

Water Storage and Pipelines
Water/Waste Disposal

Water Disposal and Discharge

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

134&pnid=21&nid=27
Disposal

Water Disposal and Discharge

• E&P Waste Definition

– LAC 43:XIX.Subpart 1.501

• Shale Gas E&P Operations

– Salt Water (Waste Type 01)

– Completion Workover & Stimulation Fluids 

(Waste Type 04)
Disposal

Water Disposal and Discharge

• Onsite E&P Waste Fluids Management Regulations

– LAC 43:XIX.Subpart 1.Chapter 3

• Subsurface Injection Required

– Unless Surface Discharge Permitted by DEQ

• Waste Water Recycling Provisions

– November 2009 Amendment

– June 2010 Amendment

» Allows Use as Frac Fluid Supply
Disposal

Water Disposal and Discharge

• Class II Injection / Disposal Well Regulations

– LAC 43:XIX.Subpart 1.Chapter 4

• Commercial and Non-Commercial Well Permit Required

– 2 Part Permitting Process

• Permit to Construct

– Form UIC – 2 SWD Application

• Permit to Inject

– Establish Maximum Acceptable Surface Injection Pressure

– Protect Underground Sources of Drinking Water & Hydrocarbon 

Formations
Disposal

Water Disposal and Discharge

• Offsite “Commercial” E&P Waste Fluids Management 

Regulations

– LAC 43:XIX.Subpart 1.Chapter 5

• Generator Requirements

– Assure Proper Delivery to Approved Facility

» Waste Manifesting

• Facility Permit, Operation & Reporting Requirements

• Fluids Disposal Options

– Subsurface Injection, Other

• Fracture Stimulation Reclamation Fluid

– November 2010 Amendment
Water Disposal and Discharge

UPDATED MAP: 

http://dnr.louisiana.gov/assets/OC/env_div/ep_waste_sec/LA_Com

mercial_Facilities_2014_07_02.pdf
Water Disposal and Discharge

Waste Fluids Disposal Outlook 

• Permitting Activity

– Onsite Noncommercial Injection Wells

– Offsite Commercial Facilities

• Regulatory Framework

– Recent Adjustments
Water Disposal and Discharge

Water Quality Disposal Requirements 

• DEQ Authority for Surface Discharge

• Offsite Disposal

– Generator Waste Characterization

– Waste Manifest Screening

• Injection Well Operator Practices

• New Hydraulic Fracturing Information Reporting

– LAC 43:XIX.118

– Effective October 20, 2011
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 Disposal and Discharge
THANK YOU

Water Disposal and Discharge