iii 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

The authors wish to express their appreciation to the numerous state officials who helped 

identify commercial disposal facilities in their states, and to the company representatives who 

took the time and effort to share technical and cost information. We also thank the following 

persons who provided comments on the draft version of this report: William Hochheiser, Bobby 

Pagitt, Wayne Crawley, Ron Gilius, Evan Sedlock, Dennis Newman, Grady Moore, Jill Kerr, Joe 

Stephens, Rob Moseley, and Roger Zygmunt. 

We also wish to acknowledge the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil 

Energy and the DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory for sponsoring this work under 

Contract W-31-109-Eng-38. 
iv 
v 

CONTENTS 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ..................................................................................................... iii 

NOTATION........................................................................................................................... ix 

SUMMARY........................................................................................................................... S-1 

1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................... 1 

 1.1 Types of E&P Waste Managed by Offsite Commercial 

 Disposal Facilities................................................................................................ 1 

 1.2 Reasons for Using Offsite Commercial Disposal Facilities ................................ 2 

 1.3 Regulatory Considerations................................................................................... 3 

 1.3.1 Exemption from Federal Hazardous Waste Management 

 Requirements under RCRA .................................................................. 3 

 1.3.2 Surface Discharge Regulation under the CWA .................................... 6 

 1.3.3 Underground Injection Control under the SDWA................................ 6 

 1.3.4 State Regulation of Waste Management Operations ............................ 7 

2 DATA COLLECTION METHODOLOGY................................................................... 8 

 2.1 Phase One: Questions for Regulators .................................................................. 8 

 2.2 Phase Two: Questions for Disposal Companies .................................................. 8 

 2.3 Challenges Encountered in Phase One and in Phase Two................................... 9 

3 PHASE ONE FINDINGS............................................................................................... 10 

4 PHASE TWO FINDINGS.............................................................................................. 11 

 4.1 Background.......................................................................................................... 11 

 4.2 State-by-State Overview ..................................................................................... 12 

 4.2.1 Alabama................................................................................................ 12 

 4.2.2 Alaska ................................................................................................... 13 

 4.2.3 Arizona.................................................................................................. 14 

 4.2.4 Arkansas................................................................................................ 14 

 4.2.5 California .............................................................................................. 15 

 4.2.6 Colorado................................................................................................ 15 

 4.2.7 Florida................................................................................................... 16 

 4.2.8 Illinois ................................................................................................... 17 

 4.2.9 Indiana .................................................................................................. 17 

 4.2.10 Kansas................................................................................................... 18 

 4.2.11 Kentucky............................................................................................... 18 

 4.2.12 Louisiana............................................................................................... 19 

 4.2.13 Michigan ............................................................................................... 21 
vi 

CONTENTS (Cont.)

 4.2.14 Mississippi ............................................................................................ 21 

 4.2.15 Missouri ................................................................................................ 22 

 4.2.16 Montana ................................................................................................ 22 

 4.2.17 Nebraska ............................................................................................... 23 

 4.2.18 New Mexico.......................................................................................... 23 

 4.2.19 New York.............................................................................................. 23 

 4.2.20 North Dakota......................................................................................... 23 

 4.2.21 Ohio ...................................................................................................... 24 

 4.2.22 Oklahoma.............................................................................................. 24 

 4.2.23 Pennsylvania ......................................................................................... 25 

 4.2.24 South Dakota ........................................................................................ 25 

 4.2.25 Texas..................................................................................................... 25 

 4.2.26 Tennessee.............................................................................................. 26 

 4.2.27 Utah....................................................................................................... 26 

 4.2.28 Virginia ................................................................................................. 26 

 4.2.29 West Virginia........................................................................................ 26 

 4.2.30 Wyoming .............................................................................................. 27 

 4.3 Specific Survey Results: Disposal Costs by Disposal Method............................ 27 

 4.3.1 Bioremediation ..................................................................................... 27 

 4.3.2 Burial .................................................................................................... 29 

 4.3.3 Caverns ................................................................................................. 34 

 4.3.4 Discharge .............................................................................................. 36 

 4.3.5 Evaporation........................................................................................... 37 

 4.3.6 Injection ................................................................................................ 39 

 4.3.7 Land Application .................................................................................. 44 

 4.3.8 Recycling .............................................................................................. 46 

 4.3.9 Thermal Treatment ............................................................................... 47 

 4.3.10 Treatment.............................................................................................. 48 

 4.4 Specific Survey Results: Disposal Costs by Survey Waste Stream..................... 51 

 4.4.1 Contaminated Soils............................................................................... 51 

 4.4.2 NORM................................................................................................... 54 

 4.4.3 Oil-Based Muds and Cuttings............................................................... 55 

 4.4.4 Produced Water..................................................................................... 59 

 4.4.5 Tank Bottoms........................................................................................ 64 

 4.4.6 Water-Based Muds and Cuttings .......................................................... 67 

 4.5 Transportation and Other Incidental Costs .......................................................... 72 

5 CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................ 74 

6 REFERENCES............................................................................................................... 76 

APPENDIX A: Database of Commercial E&P Waste Disposal Facilities 

 in the United States ..................................................................................... A-1 
vii 

TABLES 

1 E&P Waste Stream Types and Volumes ...................................................................... 1 

2 Federal Laws Governing Waste Materials and Management Activities ...................... 4 

3 Examples of Exempt and Nonexempt E&P Waste Streams......................................... 5 

4 Offsite Commercial Disposal in the Oil-and-Gas-Producing States............................. 10 

5 Data Dictionary for Offsite Commercial Disposal Survey........................................... 12 

6 E&P Waste Types in Louisiana .................................................................................... 20 

7 Disposal Techniques in Louisiana ................................................................................ 21 

8 Bioremediation.............................................................................................................. 28 

9 Landfill Burial............................................................................................................... 29 

10 Pit Burial ....................................................................................................................... 33 

11 Cavern Disposal in Texas ............................................................................................. 35 

12 Discharge ...................................................................................................................... 37 

13 Evaporation................................................................................................................... 38 

14 Injection ........................................................................................................................ 39 

15 Solids Injection ............................................................................................................. 42 

16 Land Application .......................................................................................................... 45 

17 Recycling ...................................................................................................................... 46 

18 Thermal Treatment........................................................................................................ 47

19 Treatment ...................................................................................................................... 49 

20 Disposal Fees for Contaminated Soils .......................................................................... 52 

21 Disposal Fees for NORM.............................................................................................. 55 

22 Disposal Fees for Oil-Based Muds and Cuttings.......................................................... 56 

23 Disposal Fees for Produced Water................................................................................ 60 

24 Disposal Fees for Tank Bottoms................................................................................... 65 

25 Disposal Fees for Water-Based Muds and Cuttings ..................................................... 68 

A.1 Database of Commercial E&P Waste Disposal Facilities in the United States............ A-3 
viii 
ix 

NOTATION 

 The following is list of the acronyms, initialisms, and abbreviations (including units of 

measure) used in this report. (Some acronyms and abbreviations used only in tables may be 

defined only in those tables.) 

ACRONYMS, INITIALISMS, AND ABBREVIATIONS 

AL Alaska 

API American Petroleum Institute 

AR Arkansas 

AZ Arizona 

CA California 

CCR California Code of Regulations

CCS CCS Energy Services LLC 

CFR Code of Federal Regulations 

CO Colorado 

CWA Clean Water Act 

DOE U.S. Department of Energy 

DNR Louisiana Department of Natural Resources 

E&P exploration and production 

EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

FL Florida 

FR Federal Register

IL Illinois 

KS Kansas 

KY Kentucky 

LA Louisiana 

MI Michigan 

MO Missouri 

MS Mississippi 

MT Montana 

ND North Dakota 

NE Nebraska 

NM New Mexico 

NORM naturally occurring radioactive material 

NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 

NY New York 

OH Ohio 

OK Oklahoma 

PA Pennsylvania 

POTW publicly owned treatment works 

RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 

RCT Railroad Commission of Texas 

SD South Dakota 
x 

SDWA Safe Drinking Water Act 

TCLP Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure 

TN Tennessee 

TPH Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons 

TX Texas 

UIC underground injection control 

USLL US Liquids of Louisiana LP 

UT Utah 

VA Virginia 

WV West Virginia 

WY Wyoming 

UNITS OF MEASURE 

bbl barrel(s) 

oC degree(s) Celsius 

oF degree(s) Fahrenheit 

ft foot(feet) 

gal gallon(s) 

hr hour(s) 

L liter(s) 

lb pound(s) 

mg milligram(s) 

yd3 cubic yard(s) 
 

S-1 

SUMMARY 

A survey conducted in 1995 by the American Petroleum Institute (API) found that the 

U.S. exploration and production (E&P) segment of the oil and gas industry generated more than 

149 million bbl of drilling wastes, almost 18 billion bbl of produced water, and 21 million bbl of 

associated wastes. The results of that survey, published in 2000, suggested that 3% of drilling 

wastes, less than 0.5% of produced water, and 15% of associated wastes are sent to offsite 

commercial facilities for disposal. 

Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne) collected information on commercial E&P 

waste disposal companies in different states in 1997. While the information is nearly a decade 

old, the report has proved useful. In 2005, Argonne began collecting current information to 

update and expand the data. This report describes the new 2005–2006 database and focuses on 

the availability of offsite commercial disposal companies, the prevailing disposal methods, and 

estimated disposal costs. 

The data were collected in two phases. In the first phase, state oil and gas regulatory 

officials in 31 states were contacted to determine whether their agency maintained a list of 

permitted commercial disposal companies dedicated to oil. In the second stage, individual 

commercial disposal companies were interviewed to determine disposal methods and costs. 

The availability of offsite commercial disposal companies and facilities falls into three 

categories. The states with high oil and gas production typically have a dedicated network of 

offsite commercial disposal companies and facilities in place. In other states, such an 

infrastructure does not exist and very often, commercial disposal companies focus on produced 

water services. About half of the states do not have any industry-specific offsite commercial 

disposal infrastructure. In those states, operators take their wastes to local municipal landfills if 

permitted or haul the wastes to other states. 

This report provides state-by-state summaries of the types of offsite commercial disposal 

facilities that are found in each state. In later sections, data are presented by waste type and then 

by disposal method. The categories of waste in the database include: 

• Contaminated soils

• Naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM),

• Oil-based muds and cuttings,

• Produced water,

• Tank bottoms, and

• Water-based muds and cuttings.

The different waste management or disposal methods in the database include: 

• Bioremediation, 

• Burial, 

• Salt cavern, 
 

S-2 

• Discharge, 

• Evaporation, 

• Injection, 

• Land application, 

• Recycling, 

• Thermal treatment, and 

• Treatment.

The disposal costs vary extensively on the basis of the location of the disposal facility, 

the method used for disposing of the waste, the type of waste, and the extent of competition in 

the local or regional area. Costs may be reported in different units—per barrel, per cubic yard, or 

per ton. The costs of offsite commercial disposal vary significantly, depending on the disposal 

method, the host state of disposal operations, and the degree of competition in the area. The cost 

ranges for each type of waste are presented below, using only per barrel cost figures. In nearly all 

cases, most costs fall within a narrower band. Multiple disposal methods are used for each type 

of waste. By far, the most common commercial disposal method for produced water is injection. 

• Contaminated soil disposal costs range from $1.00/bbl to $22/bbl. 

• NORM disposal costs range from $40/bbl to $300/bbl. Some municipal 

landfills charge lower tipping fees for wastes with low levels of NORM. 

• Oil-based muds and cuttings disposal costs range from $2.00/bbl to 

$40.00/bbl. 

• Produced water injection costs range from $0.30/bbl to $10.00/bbl, but in 

most cases do not even reach $1.00/bbl. 

• Tank bottom disposal costs range from $0.85/bbl to $40/bbl. 

• Water-based muds and cuttings disposal costs range from $0.50/bbl to 

$40/bbl. 

Although disposal costs are important to an operator when determining which 

commercial waste disposal company to choose, transportation costs, container washout costs, 

laboratory fees, and other costs weigh heavily in the operator’s final decision. Because 

transportation costs typically increase proportionately with distance or time from well site to 

disposal site, economic incentives exist for operators to send their wastes to disposal facilities 

located within a reasonably short distance from the oil and gas E&P site. Generally, operators 

will not be inclined to transport waste more than 50 to 75 miles unless no other alternatives are 

available. 
 1 

1 INTRODUCTION 

In April 1997, Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne) prepared a report entitled Costs 

for Offsite Disposal of Nonhazardous Oil Field Wastes: Salt Caverns versus Other Disposal 

Methods for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) (Veil 1997). The study attracted significant 

interest and national attention. In the early summer of 2005, DOE decided to task Argonne with 

updating the data concerning offsite exploration and production (E&P) waste disposal methods 

and costs. This report presents Argonne’s findings. 

1.1 TYPES OF E&P WASTE MANAGED BY OFFSITE COMMERCIAL 

 DISPOSAL FACILITIES 

In the United States, most E&P wastes generated at onshore oil and gas wells are 

disposed of or otherwise managed at the well site. Some types of wastes are not suitable for 

onsite management, and some well locations in sensitive environments cannot be used for onsite 

management. In these situations, operators must transport the wastes offsite. 

The quantities of drilling wastes generated in the United States were estimated in 1985 

and 1995 surveys (Wakim 1987; API 2000) published under the auspices of the American 

Petroleum Institute (API). The findings are summarized in Table 1. 

The API survey (API 2000) was not restricted to API members. The intent was to 

develop a survey sample that was representative of the industry. The sample of E&P operators 

was stratified by size—small, medium and large producers. The operator list from which the 

TABLE 1 E&P Waste Stream Types and Volumes

Waste Stream 1985 (million bbl) 1995 (million bbl) 

Drilling Waste 

(to offsite commercial disposal facilities) 

360 

28% 

149 

3% 

Associated Waste 

(to offsite commercial disposal facilities) 

12 

52% 

21 

15% 

Produced Water 

(to offsite commercial disposal facilities) 

21,000 

2% 

17,911 

0.5% 

Total E&P wastes 21,372 18,081 

Sources: Wakim (1987) and API (2000). 
 2 

survey sample was selected was compiled from a variety of sources, including the Oil and Gas 

Journal, state oil and gas associations and independent operator associations, API membership, 

and others (Petrusak 2005). The study focused on onshore operations. 

This current study provides survey information for several E&P waste streams. These 

include water-based muds and cuttings, oil-based muds and cuttings, produced water, 

contaminated soils, tank bottoms, and naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). 

• Drilling muds and cuttings are drilling waste streams. Muds are used in the 

E&P process to control subsurface pressures, lubricate the drill bit, stabilize 

the well bore, and carry the cuttings to the surface. Mud is pumped from the 

surface through the hollow drill string, exits through nozzles in the drill bit, 

and returns to the surface through the annular space between the drill string 

and the walls of the hole. Mud systems can be freshwater-based, saltwaterbased, oil-based, and synthetic. Drill cuttings are the rock particles ground up 

by the drill bit. As the drill bit grinds rocks into drill cuttings, these cuttings 

become entrained in the mud flow and are carried to the surface. 

• Produced water is the water brought to the surface along with the oil and gas. 

It occurs naturally in the formation and is typically salty or brackish. The ratio 

of produced water to oil increases over the life of the well. 

• Contaminated soils and oil debris are waste classes of relatively small-volume 

wastes—so-called associated wastes—generated as a result of activities 

related to oil and gas E&P, but are not drilling wastes or produced water. 

• Tank bottoms are the settlings—sediment, dirt, oil emulsified with water and 

free water—that accumulate in the bottom of storage tanks. The tank bottoms 

are periodically cleaned up, and settlings can be disposed of or treated by 

chemicals to recover additional hydrocarbons. 

• NORM refers to radionuclides that occur naturally in the environment. When 

NORM accumulates as the result of a technological activity, including as oil 

and gas E&P, it is sometimes called Technologically Enhanced NORM (or 

TENORM). When NORM accumulates at levels above natural background 

levels, it may present a human health risk and warrant special management 

requirements. Radionuclides naturally present in subsurface formations can 

become concentrated in certain oil and gas production and processing waste 

streams, including produced water, scale deposits, sludge, contaminated 

equipment, contaminated soils, and biofilm deposits. 

1.2 REASONS FOR USING OFFSITE COMMERCIAL DISPOSAL FACILITIES 

Oil and gas companies use commercial disposal facilities for various reasons. The 

primary reason is compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. States have the lead role, 
 3 

and most (except California) follow the federal hazardous waste exemption for E&P wastes. 

Thus, not all conceivable disposal methods are equally available across the board. The regulatory 

agency with jurisdiction may not allow onsite disposal for the type of drilling waste or the 

specific location. Examples of inappropriate wastes for onsite disposal include certain saltwater 

muds or very oily cuttings. Examples of locations that are not appropriate for onsite burial (pits 

and landfills) or land application (land farming and land treatment) include areas with high 

seasonal water tables, marshy environments, or tundra. 

A second reason for sending waste to commercial facilities is that it may be more costeffective. If an operator has a relatively small volume of waste, it may make sense to send it 

offsite rather than have the responsibility for constructing, operating, and closing an onsite 

facility. 

Another conceivable motivation could be that some operators may not want the 

responsibility of managing their waste and prefer to send the waste to a third party for 

management. Although this practice appears to shift the burden of responsibility and liability to 

the third party, the company that originally generates the waste maintains liability indefinitely 

under the U.S. Superfund law, that is, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 

Compensation, and Liability Act. If the disposal company improperly manages the waste, the 

government may come back to all companies that generated the wastes disposed of at the 

commercial facility to share in the cost of remediation. It is important to review the business 

practices and compliance history of an offsite commercial disposal company to minimize the risk 

of future liability. 

Superfund liability can also discourage oil and gas waste management officials from 

sending their wastes to numerous different commercial disposal companies because once their 

waste becomes part of that site, they face potential liability in the site. Decisions to select or 

switch to new or alternate waste management companies or sites will therefore reflect not only 

the current disposal costs, but also the assurance that the disposal company will follow standards 

and practices in compliance with all applicable legal requirements. 

1.3 REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS 

The major federal laws governing waste materials and management activities include the 

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), and the Safe 

Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Table 2 provides a quick-reference synopsis of the major federal 

laws governing waste materials and management activities. 

1.3.1 Exemption from Federal Hazardous Waste Management Requirements 

under RCRA 

In 1980, Congress conditionally exempted oil and gas E&P wastes, including produced 

water, from the hazardous waste management requirements of Subtitle C of RCRA, 
 4 

TABLE 2 Federal Laws Governing Waste Materials and Management Activities

Law Material Subject of Regulation Activity Subject to Regulation 

CWA Aqueous waste streams Surface discharge 

RCRA Solid and hazardous wastes (unless excluded

or exempted) 

Generation, transportation, and treatment; 

storage and disposal 

SDWA Waste fluids or slurries Underground injection 

Sections 3001(b)(2)(A), 8002(m). In addition to directing the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency (the EPA or the Agency) to study these wastes and submit a report to Congress on the 

status of their management, Congress required the Agency either to promulgate regulations 

under Subtitle C of RCRA or make a determination that such regulations were unwarranted. In 

1988, the EPA published its regulatory determination in the Federal Register (53 FR 25447 

July 6, 1988) and, along with it, lengthy lists of wastes determined to be either exempt 

(e.g., produced water, drilling fluids, and drill cuttings) or nonexempt (unused fracturing fluids 

or acids, waste solvents, and hydraulic fluids). The EPA rearticulated the exemption in the Code 

of Federal Regulations (40 CFR §261.4(b)(5). In 1993, the EPA published a clarification of its 

regulatory determination in the Federal Register (58 FR 15284, March 22, 1993). And, in 2002, 

the EPA published an information booklet on the subject. The EPA explained that wastes 

uniquely associated with E&P operations were exempt. With respect to petroleum production, 

primary field operations include activities occurring at or near the wellhead or production 

facility, but before the point where the custody of the petroleum is transferred from an individual 

field activity or centrally located facility to a carrier for transport to a refiner. Without a transfer 

of custody, the primary field operation ends at the last point of separation. Crude oil stock tanks 

are considered separation devices. 

Wastes derived from treatment of an exempted waste generally remain exempt, and 

offsite transportation does not negate the exemption. However, some wastes derived from 

treatment of an exempt waste may not be exempt. Nonexempt E&P wastes include, independent 

of where generated, those wastes that are not uniquely associated with an E&P activity. All 

wastes that are not associated with primary field operations are nonexempt and subject to further 

scrutiny for purposes of classification. Table 3 presents examples of exempt and nonexempt E&P 

wastes. 

The federal RCRA Subtitle C exemption for E&P wastes, however, does not preclude 

these wastes from control under other federal regulations and state regulations—including oil 

and gas conservation programs and some hazardous waste programs. For example, the E&P 

exemption was also incorporated into the California Code of Regulations (22 CCR, 

Sections 66261.4(b)(2) and 66261.24(a)(1)), but it is limited in scope. The exemption applies in 
 5 

TABLE 3 Examples of Exempt and Nonexempt E&P Waste Streams

Exempt E&P Waste Streams Nonexempt E&P Waste Streams 

Caustics if used as drilling fluid additives 

Cement slurry returns and cement cuttings 

Debris, crude-oil soaked/crude-oil stained 

Drill cuttings/solids 

Drilling fluids/muds 

Drilling fluids and cuttings from offshore operations 

disposed of onshore 

Liquid hydrocarbons removed from the production 

stream 

Liquid and solid wastes generated by crude oil and 

tank bottom reclaimers 

Pit sludges and contaminated bottoms from storage or 

disposal of exempt wastes 

Produced sand 

Produced water 

Produced water constituents removed before disposal 

Soils, crude-oil contaminated 

Tank bottoms and basic sediment from storage 

facilities that hold product and exempt waste 

(including accumulated materials such as 

hydrocarbons, solids, sand, and emulsion from 

production separators, fluid treating vessels, and 

production impoundments) 

Volatile organic compounds from exempt wastes in 

reserve pits or impoundments or production 

equipment 

Well completion, treatment, and stimulation, and 

packaging fluids 

Workover wastes (blowdown, swabbing and bailing 

wastes) 

Batteries (lead-acid and nickel-cadmium) 

Caustic or acid cleaners 

Cement slurries, unused 

Chemicals, surplus/unusable 

Compressor oil, filters, and blowdown waste 

Debris, lube oil (contaminated) 

Drilling fluids (unused) 

Drums/containers, containing chemicals/lubricating oil 

Drums, empty and rinsate 

Hydraulic fluids (used) 

Oil, equipment lubricating (used) 

Sandblast media 

Scrap metal 

Soil, chemical-contaminated, lube oil-contaminated, 

and mercury-contaminated 

Solvents, spent (including waste solvents) 

Thread protectors, pipe dope-contaminated 

Vacuum truck rinsate (from tanks containing 

nonexempt waste) 

Well completion, treatment and stimulation fluids 

(unused) 

California in cases where the waste is hazardous solely by meeting the federal characteristic for 

toxicity under the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP). Thus, a waste that is 

hazardous solely by meeting or exceeding the maximum contaminant concentration for 

constituents extracted by TCLP, and for which federal regulatory thresholds have been 

established, is exempted from regulation as hazardous waste in California. The exemption does 

not apply if toxicity is determined based on criteria other than TCLP, or the waste meets any of 

the other three characteristics of hazardous waste—ignitability, corrosivity, and reactivity 

(22 CCR, Article 3, Sections 66261.20 et seq.).

Water and waste management in connection with oil and gas E&P involves discharge and 

injection operations. The main laws governing these activities include the CWA and the SDWA. 

The EPA may authorize willing and able states to take the lead responsibility for day-to-day 

program implementation and enforcement. Otherwise, the EPA Regions run the programs in 

direct implementation. 
 6 

1.3.2 Surface Discharge Regulation under the CWA 

The CWA requires that all discharges of pollutants to surface waters (streams, rivers, 

lakes, bays, and oceans) must be authorized by a (general or individual) permit issued under the 

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. Facilities are responsible 

for taking the steps necessary to demonstrate compliance with NPDES permit limits. Permits 

instruct each facility operator relative to the frequency for collecting wastewater samples, the 

location for sample collection, the pollutants to be analyzed, and the laboratory procedures to be 

used in conducting the analyses. Detailed records of these “self-monitoring” activities must be 

retained by the facility for at least three years. Furthermore, each facility is required to submit the 

results of these analyses to the regulators on a periodic basis. For most facilities, the reporting 

frequency is monthly or quarterly, but in no case may it be less than once per year. NPDES 

permits may also require operational or environmental effects monitoring. This includes the 

preparation of best management practice plans or spill prevention plans. 

Numerical effluent limits present the primary mechanism for controlling discharges of 

pollutants to receiving waters. The EPA’s effluent limits describe the pollutants subject to 

monitoring as well as the appropriate quantity or concentration of pollutants. Permit writers 

derive effluent limits from the applicable technology-based effluent limitation guidelines and 

water quality-based standards. The more stringent of the two will be written into the permit. 

1.3.3 Underground Injection Control under the SDWA 

The SDWA gave the EPA the authority for underground injection control (UIC) 

regulation. The UIC program is designed to protect underground sources of drinking water. For 

regulatory control purposes, underground injection is grouped into five classes of injection wells. 

An injection well is defined as any bored, drilled or a driven shaft or a dug hole, where the depth 

is greater than the largest surface dimension that is used to inject fluids underground. Class I 

wells are used for the emplacement of hazardous and nonhazardous fluids (industrial and 

municipal wastes) into isolated formations beneath the lowermost underground source of 

drinking water. Class II wells inject brines and other fluids associated with oil and gas 

production. Class III wells inject fluids associated with solution mining of minerals. Class IV 

wells, which involve the injection of hazardous or radioactive wastes into or above an 

underground source of drinking water, are banned unless authorized under other statutes for 

groundwater remediation. Class V wells include underground injection wells not included in 

Classes I through IV. Wells used for injecting oil field waste materials associated with E&P 

operations are considered Class II wells. Class II subclasses include disposal wells (Class II-D) 

and enhanced recovery wells (Class II-R). 

The EPA’s regulations establish minimum standards for state programs prior to receiving 

primary responsibility (primacy) for the UIC program under Section 1422 of the SDWA. The 

federal requirements governing application, construction, operating, monitoring, and reporting 

for Class II wells are found in 40 CFR Parts 144 and 146. It should be noted that a state program 

can always be more stringent than the federal blueprint. In 1981, Congress added Section 1425 to 

the SDWA, which relieves oil- and gas-related injection well programs in the states from having 
 7 

to meet the technical requirements in the federal UIC regulations. Instead, the demonstration can 

be made that the state has an effective program (including adequate oversight, record keeping, 

and reporting) in place to prevent the endangerment of underground sources of drinking water by 

underground injection operations. Because the Section 1425 approval route offers greater 

flexibility, most states have obtained UIC primacy in this way. 

1.3.4 State Regulation of Waste Management Operations 

Federal laws and regulations generally establish minimum federal standards. States have 

the lead role in the regulation of E&P and general industrial waste disposal. In light of the 

varying geological, climatological, ecological, topographic, economic, geographic, and age 

differences among oil and gas drilling and production sites across the country, the laws and 

regulations of authorized states relative to oil and gas waste management operations exhibit 

differences in detail and scope when compared with the federal blueprints or other state 

programs. 
 8 

2 DATA COLLECTION METHODOLOGY 

The data were collected in two phases. First, state oil and gas regulatory officials were 

contacted to determine whether their agency maintained a list of permitted commercial disposal 

companies dedicated to oil (Phase One). In the second phase, representatives of individual 

commercial disposal companies were interviewed to determine disposal methods and costs 

(Phase Two). 

2.1 PHASE ONE: QUESTIONS FOR REGULATORS 

 

1. Are there any commercial facilities in your state that are permitted/licensed to 

accept different types of E&P wastes that are moved off of the well site 

(offsite commercial disposal facilities)? 

2. If yes, could you please provide a list of these facilities? 

3. If no, where would operators in your state take E&P wastes that must be 

removed from the well site (municipal landfill [with the permission of local 

government], industrial/hazardous waste landfill, haul out of state, publicly 

owned treatment works/wastewater treatment facility, other)? 

4. Would it be possible to provide any other information related to the issue of 

offsite disposal? 

2.2 PHASE TWO: QUESTIONS FOR DISPOSAL COMPANIES 

1. What types of E&P wastes (water-based muds and cuttings, oil-based muds 

and cuttings, produced water, contaminated soils, tank bottoms, NORM, 

other) do you accept? 

2. What type of treatment/disposal process do you use? Is it the same for all 

types of wastes that you accept or does it differ? 

3. What are your fees for accepting E&P wastes? Do the rates vary for different 

types of wastes? Please provide units ($/bbl, $/ton, $/yd3, etc.). If possible, 

please provide a cost sheet. 

4. Does your company provide trucking service to pick up wastes from a well 

site and transport them to the disposal site? If so, what is the cost for this 

service? [Please provide units: $/bbl, $/mi, $/hr, etc.] 

5. What is the fee for cleaning out trucks or containers and disposing of the wash 

water? [Please provide units: $/bbl, $/hr, $/truck load, etc.] 
 9 

6. Do you charge a fee for laboratory analysis of the incoming waste? If so, how 

much is the fee? Is it charged on every load or on some intermittent 

frequency? 

7. What other types of fees do you charge? 

8. Does your process generate any by-products or residues? If so, what do you 

do with them? 

2.3 CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED IN PHASE ONE AND IN PHASE TWO 

State agencies were very responsive in providing their data, to the extent available. Thirty 

of 31 oil-and-gas-producing states responded, one state declined. Some agencies sent detailed 

lists that are also available on the Internet, while others provided their information verbally or 

through electronic mail. In many instances, the authors had to undertake additional detective 

work to ascertain the appropriate contact person, current telephone numbers, and other data 

elements. 

In general, most of the companies identified in Phase One willingly lent their assistance. 

Some companies cited competitive pressures and business confidentiality as primary reasons for 

providing cost ranges rather than snapshot figures. A few companies declined to partake in the 

study because they did not want to share any information with third parties. 
 10 

3 PHASE ONE FINDINGS 

The degree to which states host offsite commercial disposal companies and facilities may 

be described by way of three categories. The states with high oil and gas production typically 

have in place a dedicated network of offsite commercial disposal companies and facilities. These 

are generally tracked by the oil and gas regulatory agency. In other states, such an infrastructure 

usually does not exist, and very often, commercial disposal companies focus on produced water 

services. About half of the states do not have any industry-specific offsite commercial disposal 

infrastructure. Table 4 sorts the oil-and-gas-producing states into three different categories on the 

basis of availability of offsite commercial disposal companies and facilities. 

TABLE 4 Offsite Commercial Disposal in the Oil-and-Gas-Producing States

Category Description States 

Eight states with a dedicated industry-specific network of offsite 

commercial disposal companies and facilities 

AR, CO, LA, NM, OK, TX, UT, WY 

Seven states with fewer offsite commercial disposal companies or 

produced-water-focused infrastructure of commercial disposal 

companies and facilities 

AL, MI, MS, ND, NE, PA, WV 

Fifteen states without industry-specific offsite commercial disposal 

facilities and companies 

AK, AZ, CA, FL, IL, IN, KS, KY, MO, MT, 

NY, OH, TN, SD, VA 
 11 

4 PHASE TWO FINDINGS 

4.1 BACKGROUND 

On the basis of lists provided by the agencies, the individual offsite commercial disposal 

companies and facilities in the various states were contacted. The representatives were asked 

about disposal options and costs for water-based muds and cuttings, oil-based muds and cuttings, 

produced water, contaminated soils, tank bottoms, NORM. The information was recorded on a 

worksheet for each facility and subsequently entered into a Microsoft® Access Database. Table 5 

presents the data elements used to capture the survey findings. The authors intend to make 

available the full database in searchable format on the website of the Environmental Science 

Division of Argonne National Laboratory 

(http://www.evs.anl.gov/project/dsp_topicdetail.cfm?topicid=18) within a few weeks after the 

report is released. 

The populated database now contains about 570 records for roughly 220 facilities. The 

database is by no means all-inclusive. The lists provided by the agencies may not have contained 

all of the commercial disposal companies operating in their state. Moreover, some of the 

companies from the state lists declined to participate in the study. However, the sheer volume of 

data captured should provide a high confidence level for understanding trends and ranges. 

In addition to thematic sorting and querying, the database format allows for the 

convenient generation of tailored reports. The terminology for the different disposal categories 

was chosen to capture and harmonize the essence of the management processes described by the 

participating companies. Only one type of disposal is reported for each waste stream managed by 

a facility to avoid double counting. Disposal methods involving more than one process are 

summarized in the comments field. Most disposal company representatives characterized their 

disposal fee schedules as approximate figures. The figures represent a snapshot for the survey 

window between October 2005 and April 2006. Thus, these costs may not reflect the actual costs 

that would be charged to specific customers at a given point in time. The authors have not 

attempted to independently confirm the costs reported by the disposal companies. However, the 

draft report was reviewed by waste management specialists from several large oil and gas 

companies, and they generally agreed with the information included in the report. 

During the data collection phase, costs have been reported in different units of 

measurement. Most costs have been expressed as $/bbl, but others have been indicated as $/yd3

and $/ton. The $/yd3 unit appears when the wastes are predominantly solids, and the $/ton unit is 

commonly used by landfills because costs for disposal of municipal solid waste are typically 

based on this measure of weight. Consideration of the specific gravity of a certain waste stream 

facilitates the conversion of volume-based units (bbl, yd3) into weight-based units (tons). If one 

assumes that oil field waste has a specific gravity that is 1.5 times that of water, the conversion 

factors are: 1 yd3 = 4.81 bbl, and 1 ton = 3.81 bbl. The conversions are not shown in the database 

query tables but are provided in several report narratives to describe overall cost patterns. 
 12 

TABLE 5 Data Dictionary for Offsite Commercial Disposal Survey

Data Elements 

Disposal state 

Disposal company name⎯facility name 

Disposal company contact (telephone number) 

Disposal company address 

Type of waste 

Type of disposal 

By-product/residue generated? 

Fees charged for disposal 

Trucking service provided? If yes, fees? 

Fees for cleaning trucks/containers and disposing of wash water 

Laboratory analysis conducted? If yes, fees? 

Comments 

After an introductory overview of each survey state (Section 4.2), targeted database 

queries are used to provide cost information by disposal method (Section 4.3) and by waste 

stream (Section 4.4). When making specific waste management decisions, however, oil and gas 

companies look beyond tipping or disposal fees as a single decision factor. They understand that 

transportation and other incidental costs play a significant role when it comes to the costeffectiveness of a specific waste management choice. 

4.2 STATE-BY-STATE OVERVIEW 

 This section provides an overview of E&P waste management initiatives, trends and 

requirements across the nation. The specific contact information for each state regulatory 

agencies, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers, can be accessed online through 

the regulatory module of Argonne’s Drilling Waste Management Information System 

(http://web.ead.anl.gov/dwm/regs/index.cfm). 

4.2.1 Alabama 

Contact: Dave Bolin, State Oil and Gas Board of Alabama. 

The State Oil and Gas Board of Alabama regulates Class II injection facilities that are 

used for the disposal of E&P wastes. The board’s regulations do not classify Class II disposal 

facilities or wells as being operated for private use or commercially for profit. Most of 

Alabama’s Class II facilities are being operated privately, or exclusively to service a single 

operator’s production operations. However, on the basis of affidavits in the files, the State Oil 

and Gas Board of Alabama has identified five saltwater disposal facilities in south Alabama that 

accept Class II fluids from other oil and gas operators, and therefore are apparently being 

operated commercially for profit. The in-state and two out-of-state operators of the five facilities 

in Alabama were contacted. All three provided responses. 
 13 

Disposal facilities associated with offsite surface discharge and land application of E&P 

wastes in Alabama are regulated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. 

Other wastes that are sent offsite go to a reclamation facility (particularly tank bottoms), a local 

landfill, or a hazardous waste disposal facility. They may also be hauled to an out-of-state 

disposal facility. The State Oil and Gas Board of Alabama regulates the offsite transportation of 

E&P wastes associated with oil and gas operations. The rules of the State Oil and Gas Board of 

Alabama require operators to use transporters approved by the board, and they require operators, 

transporters, and disposers to adhere to a manifest system. 

The study identified two landfills and a company that combines injection and separation 

for various oil field waste streams. The company’s “Contained Separation” process, which was 

developed using 80 years of water treating and waste treatment experience, specifically treats 

acid flowback and other problematic water streams. The two landfills, the treatment facility, and 

two injection facilities were contacted. All five facilities responded. 

4.2.2 Alaska 

Contact: Tom Maunder, Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. 

In Alaska, all waste disposal facilities are owned by the operators on their respective 

leases. Waste disposal is controversial and generally handled by the given operator. The actual 

number of “facilities” is limited and drilling wastes are generally hauled to the facility sites. For 

example, Marathon brings all its waste to its processing facility in the Kenai Gas Field. 

The grind and inject facility at Prudhoe Bay could probably be termed “near 

commercial,” since third-party small operators have negotiated the ability to bring their E&P 

wastes to that facility. This facility operates 24 hours a day, 8 months a year, and injects 

approximately 2,500 yd3 of drilling waste every day. ConocoPhillips has accepted some wastes 

(mostly liquid) from small operators near Kuparuk. For the most part, operators are very 

reluctant to accept any waste from others. No operator in Cook Inlet accepts third-party wastes. 

With regard to grind and inject, costs are not shared with the regulators. A few years ago, 

the cost was about $100.00/yd3. The fee was applied to the full capacity of the “super suckers” 

that transported the cuttings; the tanks on the trucks were at best two-thirds full. Costs to dispose 

of liquid mud were less since these wastes do not require storing and grinding. The cost was 

about $3.00/bbl. 

Municipal landfills have been used on occasion for solid wastes. The tipping fee for the 

Anchorage landfill lies in the neighborhood of $45.00/ton. It is unknown whether cuttings would 

be accepted at the Anchorage landfill. Cuttings may have been disposed of at the landfills in 

Wasilla (Matanuska-Susitna Borough) and Kenai (Kenai Peninsula Borough). 

Pits may be constructed, but they are very limited. Out-of-state hauling is an option for 

some wastes but is very expensive. Small operators are at a disadvantage because of what has 

become standard practice in Alaska—no pits. 
 14 

Management of offshore waste that cannot be discharged (because of oil contamination) 

is usually very expensive. In one example where it became necessary to truck and rail the 

offshore waste to the North Slope, the ultimate cost was $250.00/bbl (mainly for transportation). 

4.2.3 Arizona 

Contact: Steven Rauzi, Arizona Geological Survey. 

Arizona does not have much production activity. All production occurs on the Navajo 

Nation in the northeast corner of the state. In all likelihood, companies in the Farmington, 

New Mexico, area handle most oil field services in northeastern Arizona. One operator used salt 

mud in a well that it drilled about an hour north of Tucson earlier this year. The operator used an 

in-state company to haul and dispose of the salt mud. The company was contacted. 

4.2.4 Arkansas 

Contacts: Gary Looney, Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission, and Laura Stuart-Leslie, 

Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. 

Oil field wastes or E&P wastes, such as drilling fluids, muds, and produced water, are all 

handled through the various permitting authorities between the Arkansas Department of 

Environmental Quality and the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission. 

In general, drilling fluids and muds are collected in temporary pits (reserve pits) at each 

well site. These fluids are then hauled to one of five permitted land application facilities in 

Arkansas. These facilities have aboveground pits for the collection of produced water and mud. 

Once the fluids and muds have separated, the muds are spread onto designated fields; then 

depending on their permits, management activities such as tilling into the soil and revegetating 

must occur. Routine sampling of these fields is also required. The remaining water is either 

pumped to tanks for injection into wells (Class II under the authority of the Arkansas Oil and 

Gas Commission) or hauled to one of these facilities with a commercial Class II well. These are 

the only current options for disposal of muds. Alternative methods, such as onsite disposal in the 

reserve pits or application to another site, are considered on a case-by-case basis but rarely have 

been authorized in the past. The five facilities permitted by the Arkansas Department of 

Environmental Quality for land application were all contacted. Three companies responded. 

Currently, only produced water is permitted through the Arkansas Oil and Gas 

Commission for disposal into Class II commercial saltwater disposal wells. No other applications 

to dispose (subsurface) of E&P waste (other than those related to produced saltwater) have been 

filed. The Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission identified two in-state and three out-of-state 

operators. All five companies were contacted and four responded. 

Tank bottoms are typically handled by commercial reclaimers. The reclaimers come to 

the oil field site and clean out the tank bottoms. The tank bottoms are taken back to the 
 15 

reclaimers’ facilities where they are treated. One reclaimer responded to the study questionnaire. 

If volumes of recoverable and marketable product are high, no charges accrue. 

4.2.5 California 

Contact: Mike Stettner, California Department of Conservation. 

The California Department of Conservation regulates the drilling, operation, 

maintenance, and plugging of oil, natural gas, and geothermal wells; the Regional Water Quality 

Control Boards regulate the discharge of wastes to land or surface waters; the California 

Integrated Waste Management Board regulates E&P wastes disposed of in nonhazardous waste 

landfills; and the California Air Resources Board regulates emissions to air, including organic 

compound emissions from open pits and tanks. On the basis of a report prepared in 2002 by the 

California Department of Toxic Substances Control (CalEPA 2000), the most common method 

of disposal for drilling wastes involves onsite burial of drilling pit contents after aggregation of 

the aqueous component with cement. This method has regional limitations and may not be 

appropriate for non-water-based drilling muds. An alternate disposal method involves shipment 

to a commercial disposal facility. Oily sludges are generally shipped to commercial facilities 

accepting exploration production wastes. Otherwise, tank bottoms and other sludges are often 

recycled and used for fabrication of road mix. The sludge material is processed at an onsite 

facility, and the resulting material is applied to private roads within the facility because of its 

dust-suppressing properties. Disposal methods for produced water include discharge into 

municipal sewers and percolation ponds under permits issued by the Regional Water Quality 

Control Boards, injection into disposal wells, and recycling for other uses. 

In the course of the first phase of this survey, the California Conservation Commission 

canvassed all districts for commercial E&P waste disposal operations. Kern County in the 

Bakersfield area seems to be the only area with commercial waste disposal sites. The EPA closed 

the surface disposal site in Casmalia. 

Three commercial E&P waste facilities, all located in proximity to major oil production 

fields in Kern, were identified. One disposes of hazardous waste and designated waste, the other 

manages designated waste only. The third facility manages petroleum-contaminated soil, tank 

bottoms, sump sediments, and process waters. All three facilities responded. 

4.2.6 Colorado 

Contacts: Brian Macke, Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission; Debbie 

Baldwin, Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission; and Donna Stoner, Colorado 

Department of Public Health and Environment. 

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission does not track volumes of E&P 

wastes. Produced water is managed in many ways. Most produced water goes down injection 

wells operated for enhanced recovery projects and/or disposal by individual operators. In some 
 16 

cases, produced water goes down commercial injection wells. In other cases, produced water is 

discharged to surface water under the Colorado Discharge Permit System (CDPS, Colorado’s 

NPDES program) or into individual well/lease site pits operated by individual operators. Some 

produced water is managed at centralized waste management facilities operated by individual 

operators. Most drill cuttings are buried on site. Some county and city landfills accept oily soils. 

The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission does not permit offsite commercial 

disposal facilities that handle E&P waste. Those are permitted by the Colorado Department of 

Public Health and Environment, Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division, Solid 

Waste Unit. 

Nearly all the commercial E&P waste facilities in Colorado are located on the Western 

Slope. The disposal facilities are evaporative impoundments. No commercial E&P injection 

facilities are in use. In La Plata County (Southwestern Colorado), operators haul wastes to a 

commercial waste facility in New Mexico. 

The six active facilities on the West Slope and one facility undergoing closure and 

remediation in Weld County (north of Denver) were contacted. Four companies responded, but 

two were reluctant to share information. 

In addition, a major landfill facility was identified. The facility accepts nonhazardous 

solid E&P wastes. 

4.2.7 Florida 

Contacts: Ed Garrett, Bob Caughey, and John Leccese, Florida Department of 

Environmental Protection. 

Waste materials generated in the Northwest Florida Fields are generally shipped to 

disposal facilities in Alabama. Anything contaminated with NORM is contained (e.g., in the 

case of pipe, through spraying with foam on each end) and shipped to Philip Environmental 

Services in Morgan City, Louisiana. Contaminated soil from spills is trucked to Timberlands 

Landfill north of Brewton, Alabama. All facilities were contacted 

The picture differs for South Florida Fields. Oil-spill-contaminated limerock and soils are 

transported to the Rinker incinerator near Miami. Workover fluids are run through the separator 

to split saltwater from oil. The oil is sold, and the saltwater goes down a disposal well. Drilling 

fluids in South Florida are only bentonite muds, since no oil/diesel-based muds are used. The 

drilling fluids are disposed of into the boulder zone, either through a disposal well, or in most 

cases are pumped down the annulus between the surface casing and the intermediate casing. No 

NORM problems have been found in South Florida. Drill cuttings are stacked on the drill pad to 

dry out. They are sampled and analyzed for metals, including arsenic, barium, cadmium, 

chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, and silver. If no significant metals are found, then cuttings 

are used as “clean fill.” Oily cuttings go to the Rinker incinerator. In practice, landowners want 

clean cuttings for road improvement in their grove or farm. If no one wants the cuttings, then 
 17 

operators find someone who will let them spread the clean cuttings on their land. Petro Operating 

Co. (Blackjack Creek Field) hauls its contaminated soil to Perdido Landfill in Alabama through 

SWS of Pensacola, Florida. The landfill and incinerator owners were contacted and provided 

responses. 

The Rinker facility takes nonhazardous waste oils, hydrocarbons, and other organic 

contaminants out of the environment completely. It uses them either as an alternate fuel source or 

processes them in ultra-high-temperature kilns. This process incorporates any remaining inert 

matter into a component of cement. This recycling of petroleum-contaminated material offers 

companies an economical alternative to landfilling these materials. These contaminated materials 

are processed using consideration for safety, while protecting the client from any future liability. 

Contaminated soil is directed to a thermal desorber to rid it of volatile petroleum prior to being 

fed as a clean raw material in cement production. All that is left of the cleaned soils and solids 

after processing at 2,800°F is an inert glasseous material called “clinker.” The clinker is 

processed and ground with gypsum to become cement. Before any material is accepted, a 

representative analysis must be submitted to ensure that it meets all regulatory and company 

internal requirements. In addition to this precertification, the contaminated material is rechecked 

at its own state-certified laboratory. The laboratory also provides certified field sampling and 

precertification analysis for customers desiring “one-stop project services.” Rinker Materials 

maintains a fleet of transport equipment dedicated to serve clients’ solid and liquid petroleum 

contamination requirements. This fleet consists of tanker trailers, dump trailers and specially 

equipped flat trailers for drums and small containers. In addition to truck transport, Rinker 

Materials provides railcar services that can accommodate a wide variety of special waste 

management requirements that customers face. 

4.2.8 Illinois 

Contact: Doug Shutt, Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources does not maintain a list of commercial 

waste disposal companies. Oil field waste disposal is not regulated by the department unless a 

material (mainly produced water) is injected into a Class II Well. The Department of Natural 

Resources does not distinguish between commercial wells and normal wells. Oil field waste that 

is not disposed of onsite is sent offsite to sanitary landfills or transported out of state. 

4.2.9 Indiana 

Contacts: Danny Allison, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and Mike Nickolaus, 

Ground Water Protection Council. 

Indiana does not have commercial facilities. Most E&P wastes are disposed of onsite. 

Oil-based muds are not used in the state. Some onsite land farming occurs. Other wastes may be 

sent offsite to sanitary landfills. Rates vary between $16.00/yd3 and $20.00/yd3. The state is 

currently deliberating over management of NORM wastes. 
 18 

4.2.10 Kansas 

Contact: Bill Bryson, Kansas Geological Survey. 

Kansas has no permitted offsite commercial disposal facilities for E&P waste. The state 

does have some “centralized” facilities where an operator involved in a certain area of drilling 

and/or workover activity has a centrally located pit where drilling muds and E&P waste are 

hauled from several well locations. Sometimes the drilling location is located in a sensitive 

groundwater area where the pit contents cannot be buried in place. The Kansas Corporation 

Commission and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment do not keep a list of 

centralized facilities. The Kansas Corporation Commission has promulgated a regulation 

governing the transfer of wastes; however, challenges are encountered relative to enforcement 

from each drilling location. Most drilling wastes in Kansas are buried onsite at the drilling 

location through proper closure of the pit(s). 

Transporting waste to a municipal landfill requires permission from the Kansas 

Department of Health and Environment but is not an option deemed attractive by very many 

operators. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment views landfill disposal of drilling 

waste as poor public policy in light of the scarcity of landfill space. Some waste is hauled out of 

state, but none goes to a publicly owned treatment works (POTW). 

4.2.11 Kentucky 

Contacts: Rick Bender, Kentucky Division of Oil and Gas Conservation, and Ron 

Gruzesky, Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection. 

Kentucky’s Oil and Gas Well Operators Manual covers the approved disposal methods 

for E&P waste. Kentucky has no statutes, regulations, or policies that specifically address slurry 

injection, subfracture injection, and annular injection of drill cuttings and drilling muds. 

Approved disposal methods for produced water include injection into an approved, permitted, or 

rule-authorized underground injection well; surface discharge covered under a Kentucky 

Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (KPDES) permit; transportation offsite to a UIC well; 

and enhanced evaporation. Kentucky No Discharge Operational Permits (KNDOPs) have not 

been issued to oil and gas operators for land application of produced water. 

The specifics and disposal methods vary from site to site, and costs vary greatly. A 

commercial UIC Class II injection well can receive produced water from any formation and 

operator. A UIC Class II well that is restricted relative to operator and formation, however, 

would be in violation if it injected produced water originating at another operator’s facility or 

from a different formation. A representative of a facility listed in the 1997 study offered that it 

does not accept third-party E&P waste streams at this point. 
 19 

Almost any material except hazardous and TSCA wastes can be sent to a contained 

landfill in Kentucky. Many have the ability to solidify liquid waste. A list of approved landfills 

in Kentucky was obtained, and several contained landfills were contacted. 

4.2.12 Louisiana 

Contacts: Joe Ball, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, and Gary Snellgrove, 

Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. 

RCRA-exempt E&P waste in Louisiana is regulated by the Department of Natural 

Resources, Office of Conservation, under Statewide Order 29B. Commercial E&P waste storage, 

treatment, and disposal facilities are permitted and monitored by the Injection and Mining 

Division of the Department of Natural Resources (Office of Conservation). These facilities 

include Class II disposal wells, land treatment systems, chemical fixation systems, and NORM 

treatment systems. Approval of waste disposal operations can be granted to oil and gas service 

companies on a case-by-case basis (Form UIC-23) to dispose of E&P waste at a commercial 

facility. The Office of Conservation publishes a list of currently permitted commercial facilities 

on its Web site (DNR 2000). 

E&P waste is defined as drilling wastes, saltwater, and other wastes associated with the 

exploration, development, or production of crude oil or natural gas wells, which are not regulated 

by the provisions of, and, therefore, exempt from the Louisiana Hazardous Waste Regulations 

and the RCRA. E&P waste materials include, but are not limited to, those listed in Table 6. Table 

7 displays the codes and descriptions of disposal techniques. 

All 16 companies and facilities on the list provided by the Office of Conservation were 

contacted. Fifteen companies responded, including the three largest operators—CCS Energy 

Services LLC, Newpark Environmental Services, and US Liquids of Louisiana LP. These 

companies have an extensive network of transfer stations in place, to which oil and gas 

companies can transport wastes. The waste management companies consolidate the waste at the 

transfer stations, by then they move it by barge to one or more central treatment facilities, where 

wastes are managed by using injection, land treatment, or other treatment. 
 20 

TABLE 6 E&P Waste Types in Louisiana

Code E&P Waste Description 

01 Saltwater (produced brine or produced water), except for saltwater whose intended and actual use is in 

drilling, workover, or completion fluids, or in enhanced mineral recovery operations, process fluids 

generated by approved salvage oil operators who only receive oil (basic sediment and water) from oil and 

gas leases, and natural gas plant processing waste fluid that is or may be commingled with produced 

formation water. 

02 Oil-based drilling wastes (mud, fluids, and cuttings). 

03 Water-based drilling wastes (mud, fluids, and cuttings). 

04 Completion; workover and stimulation fluids. 

05 Production pit sludges. 

06 Storage tank sludge from production operations, onsite and commercial saltwater disposal facilities, salvage 

oil facilities that only receive waste oil [basic sediment and water] from oil and gas leases, and sludges 

generated by service company and commercial facility or transfer station wash water systems. 

07 Produced oily sands and solids. 

08 Produced formation freshwater. 

09 Rainwater from firewalls, ring levees, and pits at drilling and production facilities. 

10 Washout water and residual solids generated from the cleaning of containers that transport E&P waste and 

are not contaminated by hazardous waste or material: washout water and solids (E&P Waste Type 10) is or 

may be generated at a commercial facility or transfer station by the cleaning of a container holding a residual 

amount of E&P Waste. 

11 Washout pit water and residual solids from oil-field-related carriers and service companies that are not 

permitted to haul hazardous waste or material. 

12 Nonhazardous natural gas plant processing waste solids. 

13 (Reserved). 

14 Pipeline test water that does not meet discharge limitations established by the appropriate state agency or 

pipeline pigging waste (i.e., waste fluids/solids generated from the cleaning of a pipeline). 

15 E&P wastes that are transported from permitted commercial facilities and transfer stations to permitted 

commercial treatment and disposal facilities, except those E&P wastes defined as Waste Types 01 and 06. 

16 Crude oil spill cleanup waste. 

50 Salvageable hydrocarbons bound for permitted salvage oil operators. 

99 Other E&P waste not described above; a description of these wastes and written approval from the Office of 

Conservation is required and must be attached to the manifest prior to transport. 
 21 

TABLE 7 Disposal Techniques in Louisiana 

Code E&P Waste Management Description 

1 Slurry fracture injection 

2 Cavern disposal 

3 Solidification 

4 Salvageable oil 

5 RCRA hazardous waste landfill 

6 Mechanical/chemical separation—wastewater treatment plant and landfill cover 

7 Thermal desorption 

8 Incineration 

9 Storage barges 

10 Mechanical/chemical separation—injection and landfill cover 

11 Storage tanks 

12 Land treatment 

13 Storage pit 

14 Injection well 

15 Mechanical/chemical separation 

16 Stabilization 

4.2.13 Michigan 

Contacts: Harold Fitch, Raymond Vugrinovich, and Gunther Schmidt, Michigan 

Department of Environmental Quality. 

Michigan does not have any commercial facilities that are specifically licensed for the 

primary purpose of disposal of solid waste from oil and gas E&P operations. Offsite brine 

disposal wells are permitted to accept oil field brine and other liquid oil field wastes. The 

majority of these wells accept only the operator’s own wastes; only a limited number are 

commercial wells. Michigan has a total of 651 brine disposal wells. Solid waste landfills are 

allowed to accept solid waste from oil and gas E&P operations. The Office of the Geological 

Survey does not maintain a list of those landfills authorized to accept E&P waste. 

Several of the brine-injection-well facilities from a list provided by the Michigan Department of 

Environmental Quality were contacted to identify facilities that accept third-party-generated 

E&P waste streams on a commercial basis. Three facilities of this much narrower universe 

provided information. 

4.2.14 Mississippi 

Contacts: Walter Boone, Mississippi Oil and Gas Board, and Mark Williams, Mississippi 

Department of Environmental Quality. 
 22 

Mississippi does not have a developed infrastructure dedicated to commercial disposal of 

E&P wastes. Most waste materials are injected downhole or land applied onsite or nearby. 

Disposal of muds in municipal solid waste landfills is much more costly. 

The Mississippi Oil & Gas Board has regulatory authority over commercial disposal of 

E&P wastes in Class II wells. All other commercial disposal operations are regulated by the 

Department of Environmental Quality. 

One commercial disposal facility under the jurisdiction of the Department of 

Environmental Quality receives waste materials (muds) from offshore. The muds are transported 

to a facility in Alabama for dewatering. The residue then goes to a landfill in Jackson County on 

the Gulf Coast. This facility and three other landfills supporting the offshore industry were 

contacted. Three landfill facilities responded. In addition, four commercial UIC Class II 

companies were identified and contacted; three of them responded. 

A proposed facility for Northern Mississippi involves a commercial UIC Class I well 

envisaged to accept nonhazardous industrial wastes and oil field wastes. It is not clear whether 

this facility will ever become operational. 

4.2.15 Missouri 

Contact: Bob Archer, Missouri Department of Natural Resources. 

Commercial waste disposal facilities are regulated by Missouri’s Hazardous and Solid 

Waste Programs, not the Missouri Oil and Gas Council. In Missouri, operators dispose of E&P 

liquid material (waste oil and water) in onsite injection wells. Cuttings are allowed to settle and 

are then covered over when the cuttings pits are closed. In the 1980s and early 1990s, a few 

producers hauled water offsite to another water injection well. In general, waste is most 

economically handled onsite in accordance with state-approved disposal methods. 

4.2.16 Montana 

Contact: Tom Richmond, Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation. 

The Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation encourages onsite bioremediation of 

oily wastes. It does not have the authority to permit off-lease disposal (other than water injection 

wells). One commercial facility remediates and reuses E&P waste. A representative of the 

company was contacted and responded. 
 23 

4.2.17 Nebraska 

Contact: Stan Belieu, Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission 

Injection of produced water to (commercial) UIC Class II wells is authorized by the 

Nebraska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Most produced water disposal operations 

occur onsite. General municipal landfills may accept E&P wastes. One incinerator facility 

accepts a variety of industrial, including E&P wastes, but not NORM. The company was 

contacted and provided information. 

4.2.18 New Mexico 

Contact: Ben Stone, New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. 

The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department provided a list of 

28 approved commercial disposal facilities. Most companies responded. Some facilities proved 

to be operated by the same companies. Others could not be contacted or were not willing to 

communicate. Seventeen companies provided survey information. Land farming, land filling, 

and treatment and recycling were the prevalent disposal techniques. 

4.2.19 New York 

Contacts: Kathleen Sanford and Scott Menrath, New York Department of Environmental 

Conservation. 

The Division of Mineral Resources of the New York Department of Environmental 

Conservation does not permit or license commercial disposal facilities, nor does it officially track 

disposal of E&P wastes that are removed from well sites. New York State has few active brine 

disposal wells. Use of those wells is governed by permits issued by both the EPA and the 

Division of Water of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. Two facilities 

reported that they did not accept offsite materials; the third facility is located in West Virginia. 

Cuttings may be taken to landfills if they are not buried onsite. The New York 

Department of Environmental Conservation does not maintain a list of E&P waste-specific 

landfills. According to the regional managers, most brine and drilling mud is taken to an out-ofstate treatment plant in Pennsylvania. The chemical precipitation facility was contacted and a 

representative responded. 

4.2.20 North Dakota 

Contact: Mark Bohrer, North Dakota Industrial Commission. 
 24 

North Dakota hosts commercial saltwater disposal wells regulated by the North Dakota 

Industrial Commission. The facilities take produced water, pit water, and slop from anywhere. 

Some operators of saltwater disposal wells only accept produced water. Other operators take a 

combination of produced water and pit water that they haul themselves, knowing that the 

materials are fairly clean. The North Dakota Health Department regulates a few special use 

landfills that take oil field waste. The North Dakota Industrial Commission (Oil and Gas 

Division) forwarded a list of commercial disposal facilities—15 saltwater disposal wells 

operated by 7 companies, and 5 industrial, special waste, and municipal landfills. All operators 

were contacted. Information was obtained for 9 commercial saltwater disposal facilities operated 

by 3 companies, and for 3 landfills. 

4.2.21 Ohio 

Contacts: Scott Kell, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mineral 

Resources, and Ernie Stull, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. 

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mineral Resources does not 

permit or regulate commercial offsite facilities for disposal of solid E&P wastes. Most oil field 

wastes generated in Ohio are disposed of onsite. Wastes that cannot be disposed of onsite are 

sent to local sanitary or industrial landfills or to commercial disposal facilities in other states. 

Disposal of solid wastes is prohibited except as authorized by the Ohio Environmental 

Protection Agency. Because Ohio was selected as an example of a northern state in which solid 

waste landfills are used for oil field waste disposal, additional data on landfills were collected. 

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency provided a list of 41 authorized landfills. Seven 

landfills, located in oil- and gas-producing parts of the state, were contacted. Five facilities 

responded. 

4.2.22 Oklahoma 

Contact: Tim Baker, Oklahoma Corporation Commission. 

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports that Oklahoma has commercial disposal 

wells and commercial disposal pits. Commercial disposal pits are restricted to taking only waterbased drilling muds. One exception involves salt-contaminated soils. Some of the facilities are 

designed for high-chloride muds. Those facilities can accept salt-contaminated soils from 

saltwater spills. Commercial disposal wells can accept all wastes that come out of a well bore 

and are RCRA exempt. Oil field wastes can go to municipal landfills if the owner of the facility 

will accept it. 

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission forwarded an active commercial pits inventory. 

All 15 facilities were called. However, five facilities appeared to be no longer operational, since 

searches of phone directories and the Internet were not successful. One additional facility was 

being sold. Six facilities responded to the study questions. Two operators expressed much 
 25 

criticism of the practice of land farming. They stated that environmentally safe and protective pit 

operations were costly, and thus were disadvantaged compared with land farming. In addition, 

two larger commercial saltwater disposal companies were contacted. Together they operate nine 

disposal wells. As of last year, more than 220 commercial disposal wells were operational in 

Oklahoma. 

4.2.23 Pennsylvania 

Contact: Ron Gilius, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection provided a list of eight 

commercial treatment facilities. All were contacted, and five facilities responded. Treatment and 

discharge were the most commonly used disposal methods. 

4.2.24 South Dakota 

Contact: Fred Steece, South Dakota Department of Environmental and Natural 

Resources. 

The Oil and Gas Section in the South Dakota Department of Environmental and Natural 

Resources does not track offsite commercial disposal operations. Most E&P wastes are disposed 

of onsite or nearby. Wastes destined offsite go to municipal solid waste landfills or out-of-state. 

4.2.25 Texas 

Contacts: Jill Hybner and Steven Seni, Railroad Commission of Texas. (Note: Mr. Seni 

left the Railroad Commission before this report was finalized) 

In Texas, the Railroad Commission regulates “nonhazardous oil and gas waste” 

(NOGW). Information concerning permitted commercial E&P waste disposal facilities is posted 

on the Texas Railroad Commission Web site (RRC 2006a). Information pertains to surface 

disposal facilities (RRC 2006b) and injection and cavern disposal wells (RRC 2006c). The 

Railroad Commission regularly updates the information and provides an Operator Directory 

(RRC 2006d). 

In Texas, the big commercial disposal companies, including CCS Energy Services LL, 

Newpark Environmental Services, and US Liquids of Louisiana LP provided survey information. 

Otherwise, less than half of the commercial surface disposal companies opted to participate in 

the study: three of six pit facility operators, three of seven stationary treatment companies, and 

two of seven land farm operators responded. However, all seven cavern disposal companies and 

several injection facility operators provided information. 
 26 

4.2.26 Tennessee 

Contacts: Ronald Zurawski and Michael K. Burton, Tennessee State Oil and Gas Board. 

The State of Tennessee does not track commercial offsite disposal operations, other than 

maintaining a list of all UIC Class II injection wells. No facilities were contacted. 

4.2.27 Utah 

Contacts: John Baza and Brad Hill, Utah Department of Natural Resources. 

The Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining of the Utah Department of Natural Resources 

permits and regulates numerous facilities that are approved to accept RCRA-exempt E&P 

wastes. The list of facilities maintained by the division includes a notation of the types of wastes 

that can be taken at each facility. All 10 facilities were contacted, and information was obtained 

from 7 operators. The main disposal methods included land farming, pit, and evaporation. In 

addition, one commercial landfill and one incinerator provided data. 

4.2.28 Virginia 

Contact: Bob Wilson, Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy. 

The Division of Gas and Oil in the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy 

(DMME) does not track commercial offsite disposal operations. The vast majority of production 

activity in Virginia relates to gas. Thus, the Commonwealth has a very small oil waste disposal 

problem. Brine stemming from coal bed methane gas operations represents the principal waste 

material. Most of it is disposed of in operator-owned UIC wells regulated by the EPA’s 

Region 3. Wastewater (brine) that is not injected into in-state operator-owned UIC wells is 

hauled to permitted sites in other states. Drilling muds from the few wells that have used that 

fluid have been disposed of in permitted out-of-state facilities. (Since the vast majority of wells 

in Virginia are drilled using air and foam, drilling muds are a rare issue.) Oil wastes and tank 

bottoms are usually taken to waste oil recycling operations. Solid waste other than cuttings 

(which are disposed of onsite) are, by regulation, to be disposed of in a facility permitted to 

accept that type of waste. In a few instances, drilling waters from remote exploratory wells have 

been disposed of at wastewater treatment facilities. 

4.2.29 West Virginia 

Contacts: James Martin and BJ Chestnut, West Virginia Department of Environmental 

Protection. 
 27 

The State of West Virginia does not have large-scale offsite commercial disposal 

operations. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection provided a list of five 

landfills and three commercial injection well operators managing E&P waste streams. All were 

contacted, and five facilities responded. 

4.2.30 Wyoming 

Contacts: Don Likwartz and Craig Eggerman, Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission, and 

Larry Robinson, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. 

The Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission does not regulate commercial sites. Those sites 

are under the jurisdiction of the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Different staff 

members were contacted, depending on the medium intended for disposal. 

The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality does not maintain a list of sites 

specifically and exclusively approved to accept E&P exempt wastes. These wastes could go to 

any municipal solid waste landfill willing to accept them, as long as they do not have free 

liquids. However, that decision would be the discretion of a given facility. Wyoming has a 

number of industrial landfills, but they only dispose of waste they generate at their own industrial 

sites and are not specifically permitted as “commercial” facilities. 

The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, however, provided a list of 

27 commercial facilities (operated by 15 companies) authorized to receive drilling fluids, 

produced water, or industrial waste. Those facilities include pits, lagoons, and ponds. In addition, 

a list of eight commercial UIC Class I disposal wells that can be used to dispose of nonhazardous 

waste was received. In some cases, the Water Quality Division also may approve a land 

application or road application. All facilities on the two lists were contacted. 

Answers were obtained from 10 commercial companies mainly using land farming, pit, 

and evaporation techniques. In addition, three of the UIC Class I disposal well facilities 

responded. Several facilities proved to be inactive, closed, or company-exclusive. 

4.3 SPECIFIC SURVEY RESULTS: DISPOSAL COSTS BY DISPOSAL METHOD 

The following sections were derived from querying the database by disposal method. The 

disposal techniques yielded by the survey include bioremediation, burial, cavern, discharge, 

evaporation, injection, land application, recycling, thermal treatment, and treatment. The 

introductory descriptions are based on Veil et al. (2004). 

4.3.1 Bioremediation 

Bioremediation (also known as biological treatment or biotreatment) uses 

microorganisms to biologically degrade hydrocarbon-contaminated waste into nontoxic residues. 
 28 

Bioremediation is designed to accelerate the natural decomposition process by controlling 

oxygen, temperature, moisture, and nutrient parameters. Advantages of biological treatment 

accrue from being relatively environmentally benign, generating few emissions, converting 

wastes into products, and requiring minimal, if any, transportation. Sometimes bioremediation is 

used as an interim treatment or disposal step, which reduces the overall level of hydrocarbon 

contamination prior to final disposal. It should be noted that E&P wastes typically contain high 

levels of solids. Therefore, once the TPH fraction is reduced, these solids typically require 

additional treatment or disposal. Some treated solids may be used for other purposes in 

accordance with the applicable state regulations. Bioremediation can create a drier, more stable 

material for land filling, thereby reducing the potential to generate leachate. Some solids, 

however, may contain a high salt content and would require additional treatment. 

Specific bioremediation approaches can differ depending on the type of soils involved. 

Depending on the composition of the hydrocarbon components, the bioremediation environment, 

and the type of treatment utilized, bioremediation may be a fairly slow process and require 

months or years to reach the desired result. In the process, wastes are mixed with bulking agents, 

such as wood chips, straw, rice hulls, or husks, to increase porosity and aeration potential for 

biological degradation. The bulking agents provide adequate porosity to allow aeration even 

when moisture levels are high. Composting is similar to land treatment, but it can be more 

efficient. Also, in the case of composting systems, treated waste is contained within the 

composting facility where its properties can be readily monitored. Mixtures of the waste, soil (to 

provide indigenous bacteria), and other additives may be placed in piles to be tilled for aeration, 

or placed in containers or on platforms to allow air to be forced through the composting mixture. 

In general, the compost mixture is maintained at 40 to 60% water by weight to optimize moisture 

conditions for biodegradation. Elevated temperatures (86 to 158oF) in compost mixtures increase 

microbial metabolism. Tilling the soil pile or forced aeration can help control temperature and 

oxygen levels. Composting in closed containers can control volatile emissions. Composted 

wastes that meet health-based criteria can be used to condition soil, cover landfills, and supply 

clean fill. Table 8 presents the survey findings for bioremediation. 

TABLE 8 Bioremediation 

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

$20.00/yd3 NM JFJ Landfarm Inc. 

$50.00/ton MT PetroComp 

Contaminated soils 

$50.00–$120.00/yd3 WY Newpark Environmental Services 

$20.00/yd3 NM JFJ Landfarm Inc. 

$40.00/bbl MT PetroComp 

Oil-based muds and cuttings 

$50.00–$120.00/yd3 WY Newpark Environmental Services 

$20.00/yd Tank bottoms 3 NM JFJ Landfarm Inc. 

$40.00/bbl MT PetroComp 

$20.00/yd Water-based muds and cuttings 3 NM JFJ Landfarm Inc. 

$40.00/bbl MT PetroComp 
 29 

Two companies in New Mexico and Wyoming use blending and composting for 

biodegradation. Another company in Montana describes its bioremediation as bacteria-based. 

The disposal costs in New Mexico are $20.00/yd3 for contaminated soils, oil-based muds and 

cuttings, tank bottoms, and water-based muds and cuttings. In Montana, disposal costs are 

$50.00/ton for contaminated soils and $40.00/bbl for oil-based muds and cuttings, tank bottoms, 

and water-based muds and cuttings. The disposal costs range between $50.00/yd3 and 

$120.00/yd3 for contaminated soils and oil-based muds and cuttings in Wyoming. 

4.3.2 Burial 

Burial is the placement of waste in constructed or natural excavations, such as landfills or 

pits. Burial is a common onshore disposal technique used for disposing of drilling wastes. 

Burial (landfills). Landfills are used for disposing of large volumes of municipal, 

industrial, and hazardous wastes. In landfills, wastes are placed in an engineered impoundment in 

the ground. At the end of each day or based on some other cycle, the waste is covered with a 

layer of clean soil or some other inert cover material. Modern design standards require clay or 

synthetic liners. Landfills can be used for disposing of drilling wastes and other oil field wastes. 

Wastes suitable for burial are generally limited to solid or semisolid, low-salt, low-hydrocarbon 

content inert materials. In certain locations, landfills accept E&P wastes only, and would hence 

be considered monofills for E&P wastes. Table 9 presents the survey findings for burial 

(landfills). 

TABLE 9 Landfill Burial 

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

$14.00/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Galveston (Transfer) 

$14.00−$42.00/ton NM Lea Land Inc. 

$15.00−$22.00/bbl ND Dishon Disposal Inc. - Dishon Landfill 

$15.00−$30.00/ton ND Prairie Disposal Inc. - Krenz Landfill 

$15.00−$50.00/ton OH American Landfill Inc. 

$16.00−$65.00/ton OH Countywide Landfill and Landfill Gas Processing Plant 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Coshocton Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Mahoning Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Suburban Landfill 

$18.00/yd3 NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

$18.00/yd3 NM Sundance Services Inc. 

$2.50−$28.00/ton CO Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Trail LLC 

$20.00−$30.00/ton MS MacLand Disposal Center 

$28.00/ton FL Perdido Landfill Escambia County 

$28.75/ton WV Allied Waste Management Inc. - Sycamore Landfill 

$30.00−$60.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Northwestern Landfill 

$32.00/ton AL BFI Timberlands Sanitary Landfill 

Contaminated 

soils 

$35.00−$80.00/ton ND Indian Hills Disposal Inc. - Indian Hill Landfill 
 30 

TABLE 9 Landfill Burial 

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

$38.00/ton MS Waste Management - Central Landfill 

$38.00−$128.00/ton MS Waste Management Inc. - Pecan Grove Sanitary Recycling 

and Disposal Facility 

$38.00−$75.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Meadowfill Landfill 

$56.00/ton KY Allied Waste Management - Green Valley Landfill General 

Partnership 

$6.67/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Zapata (Direct) 

$65.00−$70.00/ton CA Waste Management Inc. - McKittrick Facility 

$68.00−$80.00/drum UT Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Grassy Mountain 

Landfill 

$7.71/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Rincon (Direct) 

$70.00/ton AL Waste Management Inc. - Chastang Landfill 

$75.00−$250.00/ton LA Chemical Waste Management Inc. 

$135.00/ton UT Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Grassy Mountain 

Landfill 

$15.00−$50.00/ton OH American Landfill Inc. 

$16.00−$65.00/ton OH Countywide Landfill and Landfill Gas Processing Plant 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Coshocton Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Mahoning Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Suburban Landfill 

$30.00−$60.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Northwestern Landfill 

$38.00−$75.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Meadowfill Landfill 

NORM 

$70.00/ton AL Waste Management Inc. - Chastang Landfill 

$12.75/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Galveston (Transfer) 

$14.00−$42.00/ton NM Lea Land Inc. 

$15.00−$22.00/bbl ND Dishon Disposal Inc. - Dishon Landfill 

$15.00−$30.00/ton ND Prairie Disposal Inc. - Krenz Landfill 

$15.00−$50.00/ton OH American Landfill Inc. 

$16.00/yd3 NM Gandy Marley Inc. 

$16.00−$65.00/ton OH Countywide Landfill and Landfill Gas Processing Plant 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Coshocton Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Mahoning Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Suburban Landfill 

$18.00/yd3 NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

$18.00/yd3 NM Sundance Services Inc. 

$2.50−$28.00/ton CO Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Trail LLC 

$20.00−$30.00/ton MS MacLand Disposal Center 

$28.75/ton WV Allied Waste Management Inc. - Sycamore Landfill 

$30.00−$60.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Northwestern Landfill 

$32.00/ton AL Bfi Timberlands Sanitary Landfill 

$35.00−$80.00/ton ND Indian Hills Disposal Inc. - Indian Hill Landfill 

$38.00/ton MS Waste Management - Central Landfill 

$38.00−$128.00/ton MS Waste Management Inc. - Pecan Grove Sanitary Recycling 

and Disposal Facility 

$38.00−$75.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Meadowfill Landfill 

Oil-based muds 

and cuttings 

$56.00/ton KY Allied Waste Management - Green Valley Landfill General 

Partnership 
 31 

TABLE 9 Landfill Burial 

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

$6.67-8.50/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Zapata (Direct) 

$65.00−$70.00/ton CA Waste Management Inc. - McKittrick Facility 

$68.00−$80.00/drum UT Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Grassy Mountain 

Landfill 

$7.71−$9.25/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Rincon (Direct) 

$70.00/ton AL Waste Management Inc. - Chastang Landfill 

$15.00−$22.00/bbl ND Dishon Disposal Inc. - Dishon Landfill 

$15.00−$50.00/ton OH American Landfill Inc. 

$16.00−$65.00/ton OH Countywide Landfill and Landfill Gas Processing Plant 

$18.00/yd3 NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

$30.00−$60.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Northwestern Landfill 

$35.00−$80.00/ton ND Indian Hills Disposal Inc. - Indian Hill Landfill 

$37.00/ton AZ Diversified Transportation 

$38.00/ton MS Waste Management - Central Landfill 

$38.00−$128.00/ton MS Waste Management Inc. - Pecan Grove Sanitary Recycling 

and Disposal Facility 

$38.00−$75.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Meadowfill Landfill 

$55.00−$75.00/ton MS MacLand Disposal Center 

$56.00/ton KY Allied Waste Management - Green Valley Landfill General 

Partnership 

Produced water 

$75.00−$250.00/ton LA Chemical Waste Management Inc. 

$10.50/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Rincon (Direct) 

$10.50/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Zapata (Direct) 

$14.00/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Galveston (Transfer) 

$15.00−$22.00/bbl ND Dishon Disposal Inc. - Dishon Landfill 

$15.00−$30.00/ton ND Prairie Disposal Inc. - Krenz Landfill 

$15.00−$50.00/ton OH American Landfill Inc. 

$16.00−$65.00/ton OH Countywide Landfill and Landfill Gas Processing Plant 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Coshocton Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Mahoning Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Suburban Landfill 

$18.00/yd3 NM Sundance Services Inc. 

$2.50−$28.00/ton CO Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Trail LLC 

$28.75/ton WV Allied Waste Management Inc. - Sycamore Landfill 

$30.00−$60.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Northwestern Landfill 

$32.00/ton AL BFI Timberlands Sanitary Landfill 

$35.00−$80.00/ton ND Indian Hills Disposal Inc. - Indian Hill Landfill 

$38.00/ton MS Waste Management - Central Landfill 

$38.00−$128.00/ton MS Waste Management Inc. - Pecan Grove Sanitary Recycling 

and Disposal Facility 

$38.00−$75.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Meadowfill Landfill 

$55.00−$75.00/ton MS MacLand Disposal Center 

$56.00/ton KY Allied Waste Management - Green Valley Landfill General 

Partnership 

$65.00−$70.00/ton CA Waste Management Inc. - McKittrick Facility 

Tank bottoms 

$68.00−$80.00/drum UT Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Grassy Mountain 
 32 

TABLE 9 Landfill Burial 

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

Landfill 

$70.00/ton AL Waste Management Inc. - Chastang Landfill 

$75.00−$250.00/ton LA Chemical Waste Management Inc. 

$10.75/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Galveston (Transfer) 

$14.00−$42.00/ton NM Lea Land Inc. 

$15.00−$22.00/bbl ND Dishon Disposal Inc. - Dishon Landfill 

$15.00−$30.00/ton ND Prairie Disposal Inc. - Krenz Landfill 

$15.00−$50.00/ton OH American Landfill Inc. 

$16.00/yd3 NM Gandy Marley Inc. 

$16.00−$65.00/ton OH Countywide Landfill and Landfill Gas Processing Plant 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Coshocton Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Mahoning Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Suburban Landfill 

$18.00/yd3 NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

$18.00/yd3 NM Sundance Services Inc. 

$2.50−$28.00/ton CO Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Trail LLC 

$2.61/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Zapata (Direct) 

$20.00−$30.00/ton MS MacLand Disposal Center 

$24.00−$27.00/ton AZ Diversified Transportation 

$28.75/ton WV Allied Waste Management Inc. - Sycamore Landfill 

$3.25/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Rincon (Direct) 

$30.00−$60.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Northwestern Landfill 

$32.00/ton AL BFI Timberlands Sanitary Landfill 

$35.00−$80.00/ton ND Indian Hills Disposal Inc. - Indian Hill Landfill 

$38.00/ton MS Waste Management - Central Landfill 

$38.00−$128.00/ton MS Waste Management Inc. - Pecan Grove Sanitary Recycling 

and Disposal Facility 

$38.00−$75.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Meadowfill Landfill 

$56.00/ton KY Allied Waste Management - Green Valley Landfill General 

Partnership 

$65.00−$70.00/ton CA Waste Management Inc. - McKittrick Facility 

$68.00−$80.00/drum UT Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Grassy Mountain 

Landfill 

$70.00/ton AL Waste Management Inc. - Chastang Landfill 

Water-based muds 

and cuttings 

$75.00−$250.00/ton LA Chemical Waste Management Inc. 

The survey identifies landfilling as an additional management option in states with a 

dedicated network of offsite commercial disposal companies. Land filling can present a very 

significant offsite management option in states where such an infrastructure is not available. 

Many landfills, especially those operated by the big national companies, have solidification 

capabilities. In other cases, the wastes are disked and dried, or land is spread prior to land filling. 

Prior treatment results in higher disposal fees. Disposal fees at landfills accepting E&P waste 

across the United States range considerably⎯from as low as $2.50/ton in Colorado to 
 33 

$250.00/ton in Louisiana. Most charges, however, fall into a range of $14.00/ton /ton to 

$80.00/ton. Prior treatment (solidification) of liquid waste streams leads to higher disposal fees. 

Landfills accepting NORM were reported for Alabama, California, Ohio, Utah, and West 

Virginia. 

Burial (pits). The use of earthen or lined pits is integral to drilling waste management. In 

the course of most U.S. onshore drilling operations, the cuttings separated by the shale shaker are 

sent to a pit located near the drill rig—the so-called reserve pit. The pit is generally open to the 

atmosphere, so it also accumulates storm water and wash water from the rig. The strategic 

location of small pits near drilling sites can also help minimize spillage of waste materials. 

Unless site characteristics are such that no significant threat to water resources can occur, liners 

are generally required. Where pits must be constructed adjacent to water bodies or on sloping 

terrain, engineering precautions incorporated into the design help to ensure pit integrity. At the 

end of the drilling job, any hydrocarbon products floating on top of the pits are recovered and 

any free water or other liquids are collected and disposed of, usually in an injection well. The 

remaining cuttings are covered in place using native soils; the surface is graded to prevent water 

accumulation; and the area is revegetated with native species to reduce the potential for erosion 

and promote full recovery of the area’s ecosystem. For wastes with constituent concentrations 

only slightly higher than those allowed for traditional pit burial, the wastes may be blended with 

clean, local soil to dilute and reduce the high concentrations to acceptable levels before the 

waste-soil mix is buried. The objective of this approach is to incorporate wastes that meet 

required criteria into the soil at a level below the major rooting zone for plants but above the 

water table. Table 10 presents the survey findings for burial (pits). 

TABLE 10 Pit Burial 

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

$1.00/bbl OK T & S Mud Disposal 

$10.00/yd3 OK Scott J. Inc. Oilfield Mud Disposal 

$36.00/yd3 UT Nick’s Disposal Pit LLC 

Contaminated soils 

$8.00/bbl UT Brennan Bottom Disposal 

$17.00/bbl WY High Plains Resources Inc. - Parkman Reservoir 

$2.00−$8.00/bbl WY Jim’s Water Service - McBeth Pits 

$30.00/yd3 TX J. Moss Investments Inc. - Bustamante Facility 

Oil-based muds 

and cuttings 

$8.00/bbl UT Brennan Bottom Disposal 

$0.35/bbl OK Femco (Webb Dozer) 

$0.87/bbl UT Brennan Bottom Disposal 

$1.50/bbl WY Jim’s Water Service - McBeth Pits 

Produced water 

$1.75−$4.00/bbl WY High Plains Resources Inc. - Parkman Reservoir 

Tank bottoms $17.00/bbl WY High Plains Resources Inc. - Parkman Reservoir 

$5.00/bbl UT Brennan Bottom Disposal 
 34 

TABLE 10 Pit Burial 

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

$1.00/bbl OK O’Daniel 

$1.00/bbl OK T & S Mud Disposal 

$1.00/bbl OK Trout Disposal 

$1.00−$2.00/bbl OK Scott J. Inc. Oilfield Mud Disposal 

$1.00−$2.00/bbl TX Basic Energy Services - Duval 

$1.20/bbl OK Safe Earth Inc. 

$1.25/bbl OK Femco (Webb Dozer) 

$1.50/bbl OK Hamm & Phillips Service Company (Guard) 

$17.00/bbl WY High Plains Resources Inc. - Parkman Reservoir 

$2.00/bbl TX Karon Smith 

$2.00−$8.00/bbl WY Jim’s Water Service - McBeth Pits 

$3.00/bbl TX Mo-Vac Service Co. Inc. - Ganaway Facility 

$7.00/bbl TX J. Moss Investments Inc. - Bustamante Facility 

Water-based muds 

and cuttings 

$8.00/bbl UT Brennan Bottom Disposal 

The survey found that commercial pit operations seem on the retreat, judging by the 

number of companies that seemed no longer operational as well as the comments made by some 

respondents. Pit disposal is still reported in Oklahoma (seven companies), Texas (four 

companies), Utah (two companies), and Wyoming (two companies). Disposal fees in Oklahoma 

are $1.00/bbl /bbl to $2.10/bbl ($10.00/yd3) for contaminated soils, $0.35/bbl for produced 

water, and $1.00/bbl /bbl to $2.00/bbl for water-based muds and cuttings. In Texas, the disposal 

fee ranges between $1.00/bbl and $7.00/bbl for water-based muds and cuttings. One company 

accepting oil-based muds and cuttings asks for $30.00/yd3. The disposal fees in Utah are 

$7.50/bbl ($36.00/yd3) to $8.00/bbl for contaminated soils, $8.00/bbl for oil- and water-based 

muds and cuttings, $0.87/bbl for produced water, and $5.00/bbl for tank bottoms. In Wyoming, 

disposal fees are $2.00/bbl /bbl to $17.00/bbl for oil- and water-based muds and cuttings, 

$1.50/bbl /bbl to $4.00/bbl for produced water, and $17.00/bbl for tank bottoms. 

4.3.3 Caverns 

Underground salt deposits are found in the continental United States. Salt domes are 

large, fingerlike projections of nearly pure salt that have risen to near the surface. Bedded salt 

formations typically contain multiple layers of salt separated by layers of other rocks. Salt beds 

occur at depths of 500 to more than 6,000 ft below the surface. Salt caverns used for oil field 

waste disposal are created by solution mining. Well drilling equipment is used to drill a hole 

from the surface to the depth of the salt formation, and a smaller diameter pipe called tubing is 

lowered through the middle of the well. This arrangement creates two pathways into and out of 

the well. In the course of the process, the well operator pumps freshwater through one of the 

pipes. As the freshwater comes in contact with the salt formation, the salt dissolves until the 

water becomes saturated with salt. Cavern space is created by the removal of the salt-laden brine. 

Wastes are brought to the cavern site in trucks and unloaded into mixing tanks where they are 

blended with water or brine to make a slurry. Grinding equipment may be used to reduce particle 
 35 

size. The waste slurry is then pumped into the caverns. The incoming waste displaces the brine, 

which is brought to the surface and either sold or injected into a disposal well. Inside the cavern, 

the solids, oils, and other liquids separate into distinct layers: solids sink to the bottom, the oily 

and other hydrocarbons float to the top, and brine and other watery fluids remain in the middle. 

Caverns are appropriate for E&P wastes because they can readily accept wastes that contain 

excessive levels of solids. Some other forms of drilling waste disposal, like slurry injection, 

require much more careful control of solids size. The oil content of the injected waste is not as 

critical for injection, thereby reducing operational costs. The surface footprint and chance of 

surface-related problems are greatly reduced from that of a land treatment or landfill operation. 

Wastes are placed deep underground in an impermeable and self-healing matrix of salt. No leaks 

or releases have been observed from the limited number of caverns used for disposal. Table 11 

presents the survey findings for cavern disposal. 

The survey presents information for seven companies and multiple facilities, all located 

in Texas. All waste streams are amenable to being managed by way of cavern disposal. One 

company accepts NORM. The disposal fees range from $2.00/bbl to $15.00/bbl for contaminated 

soils, oil-based muds and cuttings, water-based muds and cuttings, and tank bottoms. In the case 

of produced water, the low end of the range starts at $0.30/bbl to $0.40/bbl offered by Coastal 

Caverns. One company, Lotus, manages NORM for a disposal fee between $150.00/bbl and 

$300.00/bbl. These costs appear competitive with other oil field waste disposal companies 

operating in the same geographic area. Interest has grown for siting new commercial disposal 

caverns near the coast that can receive wastes from offshore operations. Louisiana adopted 

cavern disposal regulations in May 2003; one company, CCS Energy Services LLC, plans to 

open Louisiana cavern in the near future. 

TABLE 11 Cavern Disposal in Texas

Waste Type Disposal Fee Facility 

$2.00−$7.00/bbl Coastal Caverns Inc. 

$3.50/bbl Wasson Solid Waste Disposal System LLC 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Andrews (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Big Spring (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Fort Stockton 

(Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Plains (Direct) 

$6.00/bbl Taylor Disposal Operating Inc. - Caverns 1 & 2 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl CCS Energy Services LLC - Kiva (Direct) 

Contaminated 

soils 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl CCS Energy Services LLC - Moss Bluff (Direct) 

NORM $150.00−$300.00/bbl Lotus LLC 

$2.00−$7.00/bbl Coastal Caverns Inc. 

$3.50/bbl Wasson Solid Waste Disposal System LLC 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Andrews (Direct) 

Oil-based muds 

and cuttings 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Big Spring (Direct) 
 36 

TABLE 11 Cavern Disposal in Texas

Waste Type Disposal Fee Facility 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Fort Stockton 

(Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Plains (Direct) 

$6.00/bbl Taylor Disposal Operating Inc. - Caverns 1 & 2 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl CCS Energy Services LLC - Kiva (Direct) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl CCS Energy Services LLC - Moss Bluff (Direct) 

$0.30−$0.40/bbl Coastal Caverns Inc. 

$3.50/bbl Wasson Solid Waste Disposal System LLC 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Andrews (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Big Spring (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Fort Stockton 

(Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Plains (Direct) 

$6.00/bbl Taylor Disposal Operating Inc. - Caverns 1 & 2 

$0.50−$3.00/bbl CCS Energy Services LLC - Kiva (Direct) 

Produced water 

$0.50−$15.00/bbl CCS Energy Services LLC - Moss Bluff (Direct) 

$2.00−$7.00/bbl Coastal Caverns Inc. 

$3.50/bbl Wasson Solid Waste Disposal System LLC 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Andrews (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Big Spring (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Fort Stockton 

(Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Plains (Direct) 

$6.00/bbl Taylor Disposal Operating Inc. - Caverns 1 & 2 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl CCS Energy Services LLC - Kiva (Direct) 

Tank bottoms 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl CCS Energy Services LLC - Moss Bluff (Direct) 

$2.00−$7.00/bbl Coastal Caverns Inc. 

$3.50/bbl Wasson Solid Waste Disposal System LLC 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Andrews (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Big Spring (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Fort Stockton 

(Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Plains (Direct) 

$6.00/bbl Taylor Disposal Operating Inc. - Caverns 1 & 2 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl CCS Energy Services LLC - Kiva (Direct) 

Water-based 

muds and cuttings 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl CCS Energy Services LLC - Moss Bluff (Direct) 

4.3.4 Discharge 

 Water pollution degrades surface waters, thereby making them unsafe for drinking, 

fishing, swimming, and other activities. Authorized by the CWA, the NPDES permit program 

control water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the 

United States. In most cases, the NPDES permit program is administered by authorized states. 

Industrial facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters. POTWs 
 37 

collect wastewater and transport it through a series of pipes (known as a collection system) to the 

treatment plant. There, the POTW removes harmful organisms and other contaminants from the 

sewage so that it can be discharged safely into the receiving stream. POTWs also receive 

wastewater from industrial users. The General Pretreatment Regulations under the CWA 

establish the responsibilities of federal, state, and local governments; industry; and the public to 

implement pretreatment standards to control pollutants, which may pass through or interfere with 

POTW treatment processes, from industrial users. Table 12 presents the survey findings for 

discharge. 

The survey identified three companies in Pennsylvania and one company in Wyoming 

discharging under NPDES authority. In Pennsylvania, Hart Resources Technologies and 

Pennsylvania Brine Treatment Company use chemical precipitation to generate a nonhazardous 

residual sludge that is subsequently land-filled offsite at a Pennsylvania Department of 

Environmental Protection-permitted facility. Tunnelton Liquids Co. uses an innovative process 

to treat produced water. It combines acid mine drainage from an abandoned coal mine with the 

produced water. Chemical constituents in the mine drainage help remove contaminants from the 

produced water. Any solids are sent to a landfill. Following treatment, the three facilities 

discharge the treated wastewater to a river under the authority of an NPDES permit. The disposal 

fees range from $0.045/gal to $0.055/gal ($2.25/bbl to $2.75/bbl) for produced water. In 

Wyoming, Newpark Environmental Services uses reverse osmosis to treat produced water prior 

to discharge under an NPDES permit. The disposal fees for discharge range between $2.50/bbl 

and $3.50/bbl for produced water. Two companies in Pennsylvania—Moshannon Valley Sewer 

Authority and Castle Environmental—discharge produced water to a POTW. Both companies 

treat the produced water prior to discharge. The disposal fees range between $0.015/gal and 

$0.050/gal ($0.75/bbl and $2.50/bbl). 

TABLE 12 Discharge

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

Discharge (NPDES) 

$0.055/gal PA Pennsylvania Brine Treatment 

$0.045/gal PA Tunnelton Liquids Co. 

$0.0525/gal PA Hart Resource Technologies 

 Produced water 

$2.50−$3.50/bbl WY Newpark Environmental Services 

Discharge (POTW) 

 Produced water $0.015/gal PA Moshannon Valley Sewer Authority 

$0.025−$0.050/gal PA Castle Environmental Inc. 

4.3.5 Evaporation 

In semiarid regions, evaporation constitutes one means of disposing of oil and gas E&P 

wastes. Successful use of the technique requires that evaporation exceeds the total influent to the 
 38 

evaporation system (including precipitation). Net evaporation then is the difference between the 

evaporation and precipitation during any time period. 

The main evaporation technology involves the use of ponds. Evaporation ponds refer in 

general to lined retention facilities (Pochop 1985). Evaporation rates depend on the size and 

depth of the pond and the characteristics of the influent. For example, in semiarid regions, hot, 

dry air moving from a land surface will result in higher evaporation rates for smaller ponds. The 

evaporation rate of a solution will decrease as the solids and chemical composition increase. 

Depending upon its origin, evaporation pond influent may contain contaminants of various 

amounts and composition. In the case of produced water, spray evaporation is available. In the 

course of freeze-thaw evaporation, the produced water is air-sprayed in the winter. Ice pads form 

and heavier brine collects at the bottom. Table 13 presents the survey findings for 

bioremediation. 

The survey found that disposal companies using evaporation are all located in Colorado, 

New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. In Colorado, the disposal fees are $45.00/ton for 

contaminated soils, $1.20/bbl to $3.95/bbl for produced water, and $4.00/bbl to $20.00/bbl for 

water-based muds and cuttings. One company asks a high $84.00/bbl for produced water. The 

disposal fees in New Mexico for produced water range from $0.40/bbl to $0.78/bbl. In Utah, the 

disposal fees are $0.85/bbl for water-based muds and cuttings and tank bottoms, and $0.50/bbl to 

$1.23/bbl for produced water. In Wyoming, which hosts the largest network of evaporation 

facilities, disposal fees are $8.50/bbl for contaminated soils, oil-based muds and cuttings, and 

water based muds and cuttings, and $2.00/bbl to $3.50/bbl for produced water. 

TABLE 13 Evaporation

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

$45.00/ton CO Four Mile Creek Facility 

$8.50/bbl WY Piney Company 

$8.50/bbl WY R&G Inc. 

Contaminated soils 

$8.50/bbl WY Waste Inc. 

$8.50/bbl WY Piney Company 

$8.50/bbl WY R&G Inc. 

Oil-based muds 

and cuttings 

$8.50/bbl WY Waste Inc. 

$0.40/bbl NM Sundance Services, Inc. 

$0.50−$0.75/bbl UT MC & MC Disposal 

$0.60/bbl NM Loco Hills Water Disposal 

$0.78/bbl NM T-N-T Environmental Inc. 

$0.85/bbl UT R.N. Industries 

$1.00/bbl UT A-1 Tank Rental and Brine Services Inc. 

$1.20/bbl CO R.N. Industries 

$1.23/bbl UT Montezuma Well Service 

Produced water 

$1.50/bbl CO Unnamed 
 39 

TABLE 13 Evaporation

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

$1.95−$3.95/bbl CO Four Mile Creek Facility 

$2.02/bbl WY Samson Resources - Wamsutter 

$2.05/bbl WY Oilfield Disposal Services Inc. 

$2.05/bbl WY Piney Company 

$2.05/bbl WY R&G Inc. 

$2.05/bbl WY Waste Inc. 

$2.50−$3.00/bbl WY Sweetwater County Solid Waste Disposal District #1 

$3.50/bbl WY Anticline Disposal LLC 

$84.00/bbl CO Reams Construction 80-Ponds 

Tank bottoms $0.85/bbl UT R.N. Industries 

$0.85/bbl UT R.N. Industries 

$4.00−$20.00/bbl CO Four Mile Creek Facility 

$7.00/bbl CO R.N. Industries 

$8.50/bbl WY Piney Company 

$8.50/bbl WY R&G Inc. 

Water-based muds 

and cuttings 

$8.50/bbl WY Waste Inc. 

4.3.6 Injection 

Disposal by injection is a process in which liquids are pumped into a well for placement 

into porous rock or sand formations below the ground surface. The fluids may be water, 

wastewater, or water mixed with chemicals. Oil field practices across the United States have 

established underground injection as a viable alternative method for the disposal of these types of 

industrial wastes. The EPA estimates that more than 2 billion gallons of brine from oil and gas 

operations are injected every day. Injection operations are governed by UIC programs under the 

SDWA. Table 14 presents the survey findings for injection. 

The survey found that injection was almost exclusively used to manage produced water. 

Disposal fees for injection of produced water range between $0.30/bbl and $10.00/bbl across the 

United States. The majority of the facilities surveyed reported disposal fees under $1.00/bbl. One 

company in Alabama injects water-based muds and cuttings for a disposal fee of $0.50/bbl. 

TABLE 14 Injection

Disposal Fee State Facility 

Produced Water 

$0.30/bbl OK Nichols Water Service Inc. - A.R. Turner 

$0.30/bbl OK Nichols Water Service Inc. - Nichols 1 

$0.30/bbl OK Nichols Water Service Inc. - Nichols 2 
 40 

TABLE 14 Injection

Disposal Fee State Facility 

$0.30/bbl OK Nichols Water Service Inc. - Nichols 3 

$0.35/bbl OK T & S Mud Disposal 

$0.35−$0.50/bbl AL T.K. Stanley Inc. 

$0.37/bbl MS Radzewicz Operating Corporation 

$0.40/bbl AR Fugo Services 

$0.40/bbl NM Chaparral Service Inc. 

$0.40/bbl OK Fugo Services – Blizzard 

$0.40/bbl OK Fugo Services – Buckner 

$0.40/bbl OK Fugo Services – Mackey 

$0.40/bbl OK Fugo Services – Nichols 

$0.40/bbl OK Fugo Services – Quinton 

$0.40−$4.00/bbl TX S & D Services – Floyd 

$0.45/bbl AL Zinn Petroleum Company 

$0.50/bbl AL Wastewater Disposal Service, Inc. 

$0.50/bbl LA Charles Holston, Inc. 

$0.50/bbl LA Guillory Tank Truck Service 

$0.50/bbl LA Louisiana Tank, Inc. 

$0.50/bbl MI Seiler Tank Truck Service Inc. 

$0.50/bbl ND Missouri Basin Well Service, Inc. - H.T. Knudtson #1 

$0.50/bbl ND Missouri Basin Well Service, Inc. - Zenith-Newton Unit #5 

$0.50/bbl NM O K Hot Oil Service Inc. 

$0.50/bbl TX Mo-Vac Service Co. Inc. - Andrews 

$0.50/bbl TX Wasson Solid Waste Disposal System LLC - RCC District 8A/Yoakum County 

$0.50−$10/bbl LA Saline Injection Systems Co. 

$0.55/bbl AR Eastern Tank Service 

$0.55/bbl AR Property Transfer Corp. 

$0.60/bbl LA Houma Salt Water Disposal Corp. - Off LA Hwy 316 

$0.60/bbl MS Earth Resources 

$0.60/bbl NM Gandy Marley Inc. 

$0.60/bbl OK Trout Disposal 

$0.60−$0.65/bbl OK Safe Earth Inc. 

$0.65/bbl LA Philip Environmental Services (PSC Industrial Outsourcing, Inc.) - Morgan City 

Facility 

$0.67/bbl LA Habetz Oilfield Saltwater Service 

$0.70/bbl ND Ward-Williston Company – Carpentier 

$0.70/bbl ND Ward-Williston Company - Martin-Williams 

$0.70/bbl ND Ward-Williston Company – Montgomery 

$0.70/bbl ND Ward-Williston Company - Pan Am 

$0.70/bbl ND Ward-Williston Company - Theodore 

$0.70/bbl TX Taylor Disposal Operating Inc. - Butler 

$0.75/bbl AR Key Energy Services 

$0.75/bbl LA Key Energy Services, Inc. – Athens 

$0.75/bbl LA Key Energy Services, Inc. - Oil City 

$0.75/bbl LA O’Brian Energy Co. 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Amando, Webb County School Land, Mckendrick, 

and Barker 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Bettie Unit, Porter/Holland, and Sebesta Earl 
 41 

TABLE 14 Injection

Disposal Fee State Facility 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Bloes and Thornton/Henry 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Brown/Alma and Jeter-Farmer 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Burns and Hanselman Unit 1 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Carthage Loop, Deberry, Panola County Disposal, 

Reed, and Singlton (2) 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Case 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Cashburn 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Cooper 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Dasani 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Early 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Freestone County (2) 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Gangl Unit 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Gayle (2) 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Gutierrez (2), Leonard, Medina/Lozano, Villareal 

(3), and Ramirez 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Hunt/William and Brushy Creek Gas Unit 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Hutson 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Joaquin 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Kinder/George 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Kristina 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Live Oak County 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Mckeown and Meisenheimer 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Moser 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Nichols Unit 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Peterson 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - South Texas Disposal Inc. 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Standifer 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Teeters 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Vick and Lisa 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Washington County, Clay Creek East Unit, and 

Linda G 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Youngblood 

$0.85/bbl LA Pool Company – Minden 

$0.88/bbl NM Basin Disposal Inc. 

$035−$0.75/bbl ND Black Hawk Resources LLC - Hatter 

$035−$0.75/bbl ND Black Hawk Resources LLC - Klandl 

$1.00/bbl LA Hallar Enterprises Inc. Disposal Site 

$1.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Elm Grove (Direct) 

$1.00/bbl WV Base Petroleum 

$1.00/bbl WV Danny Web Construction 

$1.00−$1.50/bbl MI Beckman Production Services Inc. 

$1.30−$1.75/bbl MI Northeastern Exploration 

$2.00/bbl WY Mel’s Water Service 

$3.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Mermenteau (Transfer) 

$3.00/bbl WY Joe Scott Enterprises LLC - Reed Fee 

$3.00/bbl WY Yellow Creek Production and Water Disposal LLC - Carpente 

$3.00−$7.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Berwick (Transfer) 
 42 

TABLE 14 Injection

Disposal Fee State Facility 

$3.00−$7.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Cameron (Transfer) 

$3.00−$7.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Fourchon (Transfer) 

$3.00−$7.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$3.00−$7.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Venice (Transfer) 

$65.00/load ND Energy Equity Company - Borgen 

$65.00/load ND Energy Equity Company - George Tank 

$65.00/load ND Energy Equity Company - Heckert 

$65.00/load ND Energy Equity Company - North Dickinson 

$7.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bateman Island (Direct) 

$7.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bourg (Direct) 

Solids injection commands higher costs. One of the big commercial companies operating 

in Louisiana and Texas, Newpark Environmental Services, creates a slurry of liquids and solid 

particles prior to injection. This allows the company to manage the entire suite of waste streams 

studied in the survey. The disposal fees are $5.00/bbl to $10.50/bbl for contaminated soils, oilbased muds and cuttings, produced water, tank bottoms, and water-based muds and cuttings. 

Newpark Environmental Services offers NORM disposal at its Big Hill facility for $150.00/bbl 

to $300.00/bbl. Table 15 presents the survey findings for solids injection. 

TABLE 15 Solids Injection

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Farnett (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Port Arthur (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Cameron (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon I (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon II (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Intercoastal City 

(Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Morgan City (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Venice (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Galveston (Transfer) 

Contaminated soils 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Ingleside (Transfer) 

NORM $150.00−$300.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Big Hill (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Farnett (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Port Arthur (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Cameron (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon I (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon II (Transfer) 

Oil-based muds 

and cuttings 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Intercoastal City 
 43 

TABLE 15 Solids Injection

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

(Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Morgan City (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Venice (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Galveston (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Ingleside (Transfer) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Farnett (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Port Arthur (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Cameron (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon I (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon II (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Intercoastal City 

(Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Morgan City (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Venice (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Galveston (Transfer) 

Produced water 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Ingleside (Transfer) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Farnett (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Port Arthur (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Cameron (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon I (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon II (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Intercoastal City 

(Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Morgan City (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Venice (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Galveston (Transfer) 

Tank bottoms 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Ingleside (Transfer) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Farnett (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Port Arthur (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Cameron (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon I (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon II (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Intercoastal City 

(Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Morgan City (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Venice (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Galveston (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Ingleside (Transfer) 

Water-based muds 

and cuttings 

$0.50/bbl AL Wastewater Disposal Service Inc. 
 44 

4.3.7 Land Application 

The objective of applying drilling wastes to the land is to allow the soil’s naturally 

occurring microbial population to metabolize, transform, and assimilate waste constituents in 

place. Land application is a form of bioremediation. It is reported separately in light of its 

importance. Several terms are used to describe this waste management approach, which can be 

considered both treatment and disposal. In general, land farming refers to the repeated 

application of wastes to the soil surface, whereas land spreading and land treatment are often 

used interchangeably to describe the one-time application to the soil surface of wastes with low 

levels of hydrocarbons and salts. Some practitioners do not follow the same terminology 

convention and may interchange the terms. 

Land farming is the controlled and repeated application of wastes to the soil surface by 

using microorganisms in the soil to naturally biodegrade hydrocarbon constituents, dilute and 

attenuate metals, and transform and assimilate waste constituents. The addition of water, 

nutrients, and other amendments (e.g., manure and straw) can increase the biological activity and 

aeration of the soil, thereby preventing the development of conditions that might promote 

leaching and mobilization of inorganic contaminants. During periods of extended dry conditions, 

moisture control may also be needed to minimize dust. Periodic tillage of the mixture (to 

increase aeration) and nutrient additions to the waste-soil mixture can enhance aerobic 

biodegradation of hydrocarbons. After applying the wastes, hydrocarbon concentrations are 

monitored to measure progress and determine the need for enhancing the biodegradation 

processes. Operators control application rates to minimize the potential for runoff. Pretreating the 

wastes by composting and activating aerobic biodegradation by regular turning (windrows) or by 

forced ventilation (biopiles) can reduce the amount of acreage required for land farming. Wastes 

containing salt must also be carefully applied to soil. Salt, unlike hydrocarbons, cannot 

biodegrade but may accumulate in soils that have a limited capacity to accept salts. Another 

concern with land farming is that while lower molecular-weight petroleum compounds 

biodegrade efficiently, higher molecular-weight compounds biodegrade more slowly. This 

means that repeated applications can lead to accumulation of high molecular 

weight compounds. At high concentrations, these constituents can increase soil-water repellency, 

affect plant growth, reduce the ability of the soil to support a diverse community of organisms, 

and render the land farm no longer usable without treatment or amendment. Table 16 presents 

the survey findings for land application. 

 The survey found that land farming is a management method used in Arkansas 

(4 companies), New Mexico (12 companies), Texas (1 company), Utah (3 companies), and 

Wyoming (1 company). In Arkansas, disposal fees range between $0.30/bbl and $0.40/bbl for 

produced water, and between $0.50/bbl and $2.00/bbl for water-based muds and cuttings. 

Disposal fees in New Mexico are between $10.00/yd3 and $57.14/yd3 for contaminated soils, 

$17.00/yd3 to $85.71/yd3 for oil- and water-based muds and cuttings, $5.12/bbl to $18.00/bbl 

($7.50/yd3 to $85.71/yd3) for produced water, and $18.00/yd3 to $85.71/yd3 for tank bottoms. In 

Texas, the disposal fees are $1.56/bbl to $2.50/bbl ($7.50/yd3 to $11.91/yd3) for water-based 

muds and cuttings. Disposal fees in Utah range between $1.56/bbl and $26.25/bbl ($6.00/ton and 

$100/ton) for contaminated soils, oil-based muds and cuttings, produced water, tank bottoms, 

and water-based muds and cuttings. One company in Wyoming reported a disposal fee of 
 45 

TABLE 16 Land Application

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

$10.00/yd3 NM Loco Hills Landfarm LLC 

$10.00−$12.00/yd3 NM Saunders Landfarm LLC 

$100.00/ton UT LaPoint Recycle and Storage 

$12.00/bbl NM T-N-T Environmental Inc. 

$14.00/yd3 NM C & C Landfarm Inc. 

$14.00/yd3 NM Gandy Marley Inc. 

$14.00/yd3 NM Jay Dan Landfarm LLC 

$14.00−$22.00/yd3 NM Environmental Plus 

$17.00/yd3 NM Contract Environmental Services Inc. 

$18.00/yd3 NM Goo Yea Corp. - Goo Yea Landfarm Inc. 

$18.00/yd3 NM Goo Yea Corp. - Rhino Oilfield Disposal Inc. 

$25.00/yd3 NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

$55.00/ton WY Sweetwater County Solid Waste Disposal District #1 

Contaminated 

soils 

$7.50/yd3 UT A-1 Tank Rental and Brine Svs. Inc. 

$100.00/ton UT LaPoint Recycle and Storage 

$12.00/bbl NM T-N-T Environmental Inc. 

$17.00−$34.00/yd3 NM Contract Environmental Services Inc. 

$18.00/yd3−$18.00/bbl NM Envirotech Inc. 

$20.00/yd3 NM JFJ Landfarm Inc. 

$25.00/yd3 NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

$4.00/bbl UT MC & MC Disposal 

$55.00/ton WY Sweetwater County Solid Waste Disposal District #1 

Oil-based muds 

and cuttings 

$7.50/yd3 UT A-1 Tank Rental and Brine Svs. Inc. 

$0.30−$0.40/bbl AR Comer Mining Corp. 

$100.00/ton UT LaPoint Recycle and Storage 

$18.00/bbl NM Envirotech Inc. 

Produced water 

$25.00/yd3 NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

$100.00/ton UT LaPoint Recycle and Storage 

$18.00/yd3−$18.00/bbl NM Envirotech Inc. 

$34.00/yd3 NM Contract Environmental Services Inc. 

$4.00/bbl UT MC & MC Disposal 

$55.00/ton WY Sweetwater County Solid Waste Disposal District #1 

Tank bottoms 

$7.50/yd3 UT A-1 Tank Rental and Brine Svs. Inc. 

$0.50/bbl AR Fugo Services 

$1.00−$1.25/bbl AR Comer Mining Corp. 

$1.75/bbl AR Eastern Tank Service 

$100.00/ton UT LaPoint Recycle and Storage 

$12.00/bbl NM T-N-T Environmental Inc. 

$17.00/yd3 NM Contract Environmental Services Inc. 

$18.00/yd3 NM Envirotech Inc. 

$18.00/yd3−$18.00/bbl NM Envirotech Inc. 

Water-based 

muds and 

cuttings 

$2.00/bbl AR Property Transfer Corp. 
 46 

TABLE 16 Land Application

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

$20.00/yd3 NM JFJ Landfarm Inc. 

$25.00/yd3 NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

$4.00/bbl UT MC & MC Disposal 

$55.00/ton WY Sweetwater County Solid Waste Disposal District #1 

$7.50/yd3 UT A-1 Tank Rental and Brine Svs. Inc. 

$7.50/yd3−$2.50/bbl TX Basic Energy Services - Jefferson 

$7.50/yd3−$2.50/bbl TX Basic Energy Services - Jackson 

$55.00/ton for contaminated soils, oil-based muds and cuttings, tank bottoms, and water-based 

muds and cuttings. 

4.3.8 Recycling 

Recycling turns materials that would otherwise become waste into valuable resources. 

The use of recovered materials as a substitute for virgin feedstocks conserves natural resources, 

reduces the energy used for manufacturing, and lessens the environmental impacts associated 

with the extraction and harvesting of raw materials. In addition, as a waste management 

technique, recycling diverts valuable materials from the waste stream and reduces the burden on 

other waste management facilities, including landfills and incinerators. Table 17 presents the 

survey findings for recycling. 

The survey identified several recyclers and reclaimers. In Arkansas, the charges for tank 

bottoms come to $127.00/hr. In California, fees are $5.00/bbl for oil- and water-based muds and 

cuttings, produced water, and tank bottoms. The company asks $15.00/ton for contaminated 

soils. In New Mexico, fees for recycling of tank bottoms range between $3.75/bbl and $5.00/bbl. 

Disposal fees in Oklahoma are $8.00/yd3 to 45.00/yd3 for contaminated soils, $16.00/bbl for oilbased muds and cuttings, $25.00/load for produced water, $5.00/bbl for tank bottoms, and 

$75.00/load for water-based muds and cuttings. 

TABLE 17 Recycling

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

Contaminated soils $15.00/ton CA Envirocycle 

$8.00−$45.00/yd3 OK DRD Waste Treatment Solutions 

Oil-based muds and $16.00/bbl OK DRD Waste Treatment Solutions 

cuttings $5.00/bbl CA Envirocycle 
 47 

TABLE 17 Recycling

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

Produced water $25.00/load OK DRD Waste Treatment Solutions 

$5.00/bbl CA Envirocycle 

$127.00/hr AR Hydro-Kleen LLC 

$3.75/bbl NM Gandy Marley Inc. 

$5.00/bbl CA Envirocycle 

$5.00/bbl NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

Tank bottoms 

$5.00/bbl OK DRD Waste Treatment Solutions 

Water-based muds $5.00/bbl CA Envirocycle 

and cuttings $75.00/load OK DRD Waste Treatment Solutions 

4.3.9 Thermal Treatment 

 Thermal treatment uses high temperatures to reclaim or destroy hydrocarboncontaminated material. This technology is the most efficient treatment for destroying organics. 

Moreover, it reduces the volume and mobility of inorganics such as metals and salts. Additional 

treatment may be necessary for metals and salts, depending on the final fate of the wastes. Waste 

streams high in hydrocarbons (typically 10 to 40%), like oil-based mud, are candidates for 

thermal treatment technology. Thermal treatment can be an interim process to reduce toxicity 

and volume and prepare a waste stream for further treatment or disposal (e.g., landfill, land 

farming, and land spreading). Or thermal treatment can be a final treatment process resulting in 

inert solids, water, and recovered base fluids. Thermal treatment technology is generally 

conducted in a fixed land-based installation. Thermal treatment technologies can be grouped into 

two categories. The first group uses incineration—for example, rotary kilns and cement kilns—to 

destroy hydrocarbons by exposing them to very high temperatures in the presence of air. The 

second group uses thermal desorption. In the course of this process, heat is applied directly or 

indirectly to the wastes to vaporize volatile and semivolatile components without incinerating the 

soil. In the case of some thermal desorption technologies, the offgases are combusted, and in 

others, such as in thermal phase separation, the gases are condensed and separated to recover 

heavier hydrocarbons. Thermal desorption technologies include indirect rotary kilns, hot oil 

processors, thermal phase separation, thermal distillation, thermal plasma volatilization, and 

modular thermal processors. Table 18 presents the survey findings for thermal treatment. 

TABLE 18 Thermal Treatment

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

$0.17−$0.20/lb UT Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Aragonite 

$0.19/lb ($0.14−$0.40/lb) NE Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Kimball 

Contaminated soils 

$0.55/lb TX Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Park 
 48 

TABLE 18 Thermal Treatment

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

$35.00/ton FL Rinker Materials Environmental Services 

$0.19/lb ($0.14−$0.40/lb) NE Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Kimball 

$0.45/lb TX Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Park 

Oil-based muds 

and cuttings 

$100.00/drum FL Rinker Materials Environmental Services 

Produced water $0.02−$0.20/lb TX Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Park 

$0.19/lb ($0.14−$0.40/lb) NE Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Kimball Facility 

$0.45/lb TX Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Park 

Tank bottoms 

$200.00/ton FL Rinker Materials Environmental Services 

Water-based muds $0.19/lb ($0.14−$0.40/lb) NE Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Kimball 

and cuttings $0.45/lb TX Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Park 

The survey identified four thermal treatment facilities in Florida, Nebraska, Texas, and 

Texas. The Utah, Nebraska, and Texas facilities belong to Clean Harbors Services, a company 

offering a suite of waste disposal services across the United States. Disposal fees at Florida’s 

Rinker facility are $35.00/ton for contaminated soils, $100.00/drum for oil-based muds and 

cuttings, and $200.00/drum for tank bottoms. In Nebraska, disposal fees are $280.00/ton to 

$800.00/ton ($0.14/lb to $0.40/lb) for contaminated soils, oil-based muds and cuttings, tank 

bottoms, and water-based muds and cuttings. Disposal fees in Texas are $1,100.00/ton ($0.55/lb) 

for contaminated soils, and $900.00/ton ($0.45/lb) for oil-based muds and cuttings, tank bottoms, 

and water-based muds and cuttings. Interestingly, this facility also treats produced water for 

$40.00/ton to $400.00/ton ($0.02/lb to $0.20/lb). In Utah, disposal fees are $340.00/ton to 

$400.00/ton ($0.17/lb to $0.20/lb) for contaminated soils. 

4.3.10 Treatment 

The treatment methods reported in the survey involve cells, solidification/stabilization, 

and separation. Table 19 presents the survey findings for treatment. 

US Liquids of Louisiana LP manages the waste materials with earthen treatment cells. The free 

oil is removed and salvaged for resale. Soluble salts are removed through flushing solids with 

water (soil washing). The resulting salty water is then pumped through a collection system, 

placed in tanks, and typically disposed of at one of its commercial saltwater injection wells. All 

remaining waste is processed to remove organic contamination through biological degradation. 

The treatment process results in a reusable material as defined by the regulations of the 

Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. Treatment fees are $9.50/bbl to $14.00/bbl for 

contaminated soils, $9.50/bbl to $12.75/bbl for oil-based muds and cuttings, $9.50/bbl to 

$14.00/bbl for tank bottoms, and $9.50/bbl to $11.50/bbl for water-based muds and cuttings. 

 Eco Mud Disposal in Texas uses solidification/stabilization treatment methods. Trucks 

hauling liquid waste unload into three holding tanks. Dry material is stacked for treatment on 
 49 

TABLE 19 Treatment 

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

$12.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bateman Island (Direct) 

$12.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Berwick (Transfer) 

$12.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bourg (Direct) 

$14.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Cameron (Transfer) 

$14.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Fourchon (Transfer) 

$14.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$14.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Venice (Transfer) 

$25.00−$30.00/yd3 TX Eco Mud Disposal - Alice Facility 

$50.00/yd3 AL CCS Energy Services LLC 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Cameron (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Fourchon (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Morgan City (Direct) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Venice (Transfer) 

Contaminated soils 

$9.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Elm Grove (Direct) 

$11.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bateman Island (Direct) 

$11.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Berwick (Transfer) 

$11.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bourg (Direct) 

$12.75/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Cameron (Transfer) 

$12.75/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Fourchon (Transfer) 

$12.75/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$12.75/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Venice (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Cameron (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Fourchon (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Morgan City (Direct) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Venice (Transfer) 

$9.00/bbl TX Eco Mud Disposal - Alice Facility 

$9.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Elm Grove (Direct) 

Oil-based muds 

and cuttings 

$9.50−$14.50/bbl AL CCS Energy Services LLC 

Produced water $5.00/bbl TX Eco Mud Disposal - Alice Facility 

$5.00−$14.00/bbl AL CCS Energy Services LLC 

$10.50−$14.50/bbl AL CCS Energy Services LLC 

$12.00/bbl TX Eco Mud Disposal - Alice Facility 

$12.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bateman Island (Direct) 

$12.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Berwick (Transfer) 

$12.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bourg (Direct) 

$14.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Cameron (Transfer) 

$14.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Fourchon (Transfer) 

$14.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$14.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Venice (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Cameron (Transfer) 

Tank bottoms 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Fourchon (Transfer) 
 50 

TABLE 19 Treatment 

Waste Type Disposal Fee State Facility 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Morgan City (Direct) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Venice (Transfer) 

$9.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Elm Grove (Direct) 

$10.75/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Cameron (Transfer) 

$10.75/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Fourchon (Transfer) 

$10.75/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$10.75/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Venice (Transfer) 

$3.00/bbl TX Eco Mud Disposal - Alice Facility 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Cameron (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Fourchon (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Morgan City (Direct) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Venice (Transfer) 

$7.50−$9.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Elm Grove (Direct) 

$8.50−$12.50/bbl AL CCS Energy Services LLC 

$9.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Berwick (Transfer) 

$9.50−$11.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bateman Island (Direct) 

Water-based muds 

and cuttings 

$9.50−$11.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bourg (Direct) 

dump pads. Wastes are blended with dry chemicals in a pugmill to solidify and stabilize them. 

After the material has been processed, it is stored in a temporary holding area where it is allowed 

to fully cure before final disposition at the onsite disposal area. The process encapsulates sludge 

and transforms it into an inert dirt-like substance that will not leach hydrocarbons or heavy 

metals into the environment. Disposal fees are $25.00/yd3 to 30.00/yd3 for contaminated soils, 

$9.00/bbl for oil-based muds and cuttings, $5.00/bbl for produced water, $12.00/bbl for tank 

bottoms, and $3.00/bbl for water-based muds and cuttings. 

CCS Energy Services uses separation in its Alabama and Louisiana operations. In 

Louisiana, liquid waste streams managed by CCS Energy Services LLC undergo dewatering to 

separate the solids from the liquids by using desanders and decanter centrifuges. The liquid 

phase is further treated and either discharged to the city POTW (under a discharge permit) or 

disposed of by injection into a permitted saltwater injection well. The solid materials are 

stabilized with fly ash, off-specification oil field cement, wood chips, or similar materials, and 

trucked to a RCRA Subtitle D landfill for recycle as alternate daily cover. Oil-based mud and 

cuttings and remediation soils are more expensive to process than water-based muds and 

cuttings, and therefore command higher fees. High-chloride completion and stimulation fluids 

cost more to treat and dispose of. Disposal fees for contaminated soils, oil- and water-based 

muds and cuttings, and tank bottoms range from $6.00/bbl to $15.00/bbl. In Alabama, the 

disposal fees are $50.00/yd3 for contaminated soils, $9.50/bbl to $14.50/bbl for oil-based muds 

and cuttings, $5.00/bbl to $14.00/bbl for produced water, $10.50/bbl to $14.50/bbl for tank 

bottoms, and $8.50/bbl to $12.50/bbl for water-based muds and cuttings. 
 51 

4.4 SPECIFIC SURVEY RESULTS: DISPOSAL COSTS BY SURVEY 

WASTE STREAM 

The following sections were derived by querying the database by survey waste stream. 

The six survey waste streams include contaminated soils, NORM, oil-based muds and cuttings, 

produced water, tank bottoms, and water-based muds and cuttings. 

4.4.1 Contaminated Soils 

Table 20 presents the cost information for contaminated soils. Costs differ significantly 

depending on the disposal method. 

Burial in landfills represents a significant cross-nation disposal option for contaminated 

soils. Volume-based costs range between $6.67/bbl and $14.00/bbl in Texas, $18.00 yd3 in 

New Mexico, and $68.00/drum to $80.00/drum in Utah. Weight-based costs vary significantly by 

state. For example, one company in Colorado indicates a cost between $2.50/ton and $28.00/ton, 

whereas another company in Louisiana charges between $75.00/ton and $250.00/ton. In general, 

landfill facilities that conduct solidification of liquid wastes or coaccept hazardous waste are 

more expensive. Landfill burial is particularly important in states where a network of dedicated 

commercial disposal companies is not offered. Examples include California, Ohio, Kentucky, 

and West Virginia, where costs range between $15.00/ton and $75.00/ton. Burial of 

contaminated soils in commercial pits is not widely reported. Two companies in Oklahoma and 

two companies in Utah indicate cost ranges between $1.00/bbl and $8.00/bbl, and between 

$10.00/yd3 and $36.00/yd3. 

Land application of contaminated soils is mainly offered in New Mexico (11 companies), 

but also in Utah (2 companies) and Wyoming (1 company). Costs range between $7.50/yd3 and 

$126.00/yd3 (volume-based) and $9.45/ton and $100.00/ton (weight-based). Most companies in 

New Mexico ask $10.00/yd3 to $25.00/yd3. 

Cavern disposal is a competitive option for contaminated soils in Texas. Five companies 

at multiple facilities offer their services for a cost between $2.00/bbl and $15.00/bbl. 

Solids injection of contaminated soils is undertaken by one large commercial disposal 

company in Louisiana and Texas— Newpark Environmental Services. Costs range between 

$5.00/bbl and $10.50/bbl. 

Treatment of contaminated soils is offered by three large disposal companies—CCS 

Energy Services LLC, Eco Mud Disposal, and US Liquids of Louisiana LP. Costs range from 

$6.00/bbl to $15.00/bbl in Louisiana, and from $25.00/yd3 to $50.00/yd3 in Alabama and Texas. 
 52 

TABLE 20 Disposal Fees for Contaminated Soils

Disposal Fee State Facility 

Bioremediation 

$20.00/yd3 NM JFJ Landfarm Inc. 

$50.00/ton MT PetroComp 

$50.00−$120.00/yd3 WY Newpark Environmental Services 

Burial (landfill) 

$14.00/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Galveston (Transfer) 

$14.00–$42.00/ton NM Lea Land Inc. 

$15.00–$22.00/bbl ND Dishon Disposal Inc. - Dishon Landfill 

$15.00–$30.00/ton ND Prairie Disposal Inc. - Krenz Landfill 

$15.00–$50.00/ton OH American Landfill Inc. 

$16.00–$65.00/ton OH Countywide Landfill and Landfill Gas Processing Plant 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. – Coshocton Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Mahoning Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Suburban Landfill 

$18.00/yd3 NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

$18.00/yd3 NM Sundance Services Inc. 

$2.50–$28.00/ton CO Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Trail LLC 

$20.00–$30.00/ton MS MacLand Disposal Center 

$28.00/ton FL Perdido Landfill Escambia County 

$28.75/ton WV Allied Waste Management Inc. - Sycamore Landfill 

$30.00–$60.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Northwestern Landfill 

$32.00/ton AL BFI Timberlands Sanitary Landfill 

$35.00–$80.00/ton ND Indian Hills Disposal Inc. - Indian Hill Landfill 

$38.00/ton MS Waste Management - Central Landfill 

$38.00–$128.00/ton MS Waste Management Inc. - Pecan Grove Sanitary Recycling and Disposal 

Facility 

$38.00–$75.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Meadowfill Landfill 

$56.00/ton KY Allied Waste Management - Green Valley Landfill General Partnership 

$6.67/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Zapata (Direct) 

$65.00–$70.00/ton CA Waste Management Inc. - McKittrick Facility 

$68.00–$80.00/drum UT Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Grassy Mountain Landfill 

$7.71/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Rincon (Direct) 

$70.00/ton AL Waste Management Inc. - Chastang Landfill 

$75.00–$250.00/ton LA Chemical Waste Management Inc. 

Burial (pit) 

$1.00/bbl OK T & S Mud Disposal 

$10.00/yd3 OK Scott J. Inc. Oilfield Mud Disposal 

$36.00/yd3 UT Nick’s Disposal Pit LLC 

$8.00/bbl UT Brennan Bottom Disposal 

Cavern

$2.00–$7.00/bbl TX Coastal Caverns Inc. 

$3.50/bbl TX Wasson Solid Waste Disposal System LLC 

$5.00–$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Andrews (Direct) 
 53 

TABLE 20 Disposal Fees for Contaminated Soils

Disposal Fee State Facility 

$5.00–$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Big Spring (Direct) 

$5.00–$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Fort Stockton (Direct) 

$5.00–$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Plains (Direct) 

$6.00/bbl TX Taylor Disposal Operating Inc. - Caverns 1 & 2 

$6.00–$15.00/bbl TX CCS Energy Services LLC - Kiva (Direct) 

$6.00–$15.00/bbl TX CCS Energy Services LLC - Moss Bluff (Direct) 

Evaporation 

$45.00/ton CO Four Mile Creek Facility 

$8.50/bbl WY Piney Company 

$8.50/bbl WY R&G Inc. 

$8.50/bbl WY Waste Inc. 

Injection (solids) 

$5.00–$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Farnett (Direct) 

$5.00–$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Port Arthur (Direct) 

$5.50–$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Cameron (Transfer) 

$5.50–$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon I (Transfer) 

$5.50–$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon II (Transfer) 

$5.50–$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$5.50–$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Morgan City (Transfer) 

$5.50–$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Venice (Transfer) 

$5.50–$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Galveston (Transfer) 

$5.50–$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Ingleside (Transfer) 

Land Application

$10.00/yd3 NM Loco Hills Landfarm LLC 

$10.00−$12.00/yd3 NM Saunders Landfarm LLC 

$100.00/ton UT LaPoint Recycle and Storage 

$12.00/bbl NM T-N-T Environmental Inc. 

$14.00/yd3 NM C & C Landfarm Inc. 

$14.00/yd3 NM Gandy Marley Inc. 

$14.00/yd3 NM Jay Dan Landfarm LLC 

$14.00−$22.00/yd3 NM Environmental Plus 

$17.00/yd3 NM Contract Environmental Services Inc. 

$18.00/yd3 NM Goo Yea Corp. - Goo Yea Landfarm Inc. 

$18.00/yd3 NM Goo Yea Corp. - Rhino Oilfield Disposal Inc. 

$25.00/yd3 NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

$55.00/ton WY Sweetwater County Solid Waste Disposal District #1 

$7.50/yd3 UT A-1 Tank Rental and Brine Services. Inc. 

Recycling 

$15.00/ton CA Envirocycle 

$8.00–$45.00/yd3 OK DRD Waste Treatment Solutions 

Thermal treatment 

$0.17–$0.20/lb UT Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Aragonite Facility 

$0.19/lb ($0.14–$0.40/lb) NE Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Kimball Facility 

$0.55/lb TX Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Park LP 
 54 

TABLE 20 Disposal Fees for Contaminated Soils

Disposal Fee State Facility 

$35.00/ton FL Rinker Materials Environmental Services 

Treatment 

$12.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bateman Island (Direct) 

$12.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Berwick (Transfer) 

$12.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Berwick (Transfer) 

$12.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bourg (Direct) 

$14.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Cameron (Transfer) 

$14.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Fourchon (Transfer) 

$14.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$14.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Venice (Transfer) 

$25.00–$30.00/yd3 TX Eco Mud Disposal - Alice Facility 

$50.00/yd3 AL CCS Energy Services LLC 

$6.00–$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Cameron (Transfer) 

$6.00–$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Fourchon (Transfer) 

$6.00–$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$6.00–$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Morgan City (Direct) 

$6.00–$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Venice (Transfer) 

$9.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Elm Grove (Direct) 

Thermal treatment represents a more expensive disposal option for contaminated soils. 

Four facilities—located in Florida, Nebraska, Utah, and Texas—indicate a cost range between 

$35.00/ton (Florida) and $1,100.00/ton (Texas). 

Bioremediation does not play a major role for contaminated soils. Costs range between 

$20.00/yd3 and $120.00/yd3 in New Mexico and Wyoming. One company in Montana charges 

$50.00/ton. 

Evaporation is not widely used for contaminated soils. Three companies in Wyoming 

offer their services for $8.50/bbl. One company in Colorado asks for $45.00/ton. 

Recycling of contaminated soils is not widely reported. One company in California 

charges $15.00/ton. Another company in Oklahoma indicates a cost range between $8.00/yd3

and 45.00/yd3. 

4.4.2 NORM 

Table 21 presents the cost information for NORM. The disposal costs by disposal method 

are $15.00/ton to $135.00/ton for landfill burial, and $150.00/bbl to $300.00/bbl for cavern 

disposal and solids injection. 
 55 

TABLE 21 Disposal Fees for NORM

Disposal Fee State Facility 

Burial (landfill) 

$135.00/ton UT Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Grassy Mountain Landfill 

$15.00−$50.00/ton OH American Landfill Inc. 

$16.00−$65.00/ton OH Countywide Landfill and Landfill Gas Processing Plant 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Coshocton Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Mahoning Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Suburban Landfill 

$30.00−$60.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Northwestern Landfill 

$38.00−$75.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Meadowfill Landfill 

$70.00/ton AL Waste Management Inc. - Chastang Landfill 

Cavern 

$150.00−$300.00/bbl TX Lotus LLC 

Injection (solids) 

$150.00−$300.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Big Hill (Direct) 

The major national landfill operators include Clean Harbors Environmental Services and 

Waste Management Inc. Cavern disposal of NORM in Texas is offered by Lotus LLC. Solids 

injection of NORM is undertaken by Newpark Environmental Services at its Big Hill facility. 

4.4.3 Oil-Based Muds and Cuttings 

Table 22 presents the cost information for oil-based muds and cuttings. Overall reported 

costs vary significantly by disposal method. 

Burial in landfills represents a significant disposal option for oil-based muds and cuttings. 

Volume-based costs range between $6.67/bbl and $22.00/bbl in Texas and North Dakota, and 

$16.00/yd3 in New Mexico. Weight-based costs vary significantly by state. For example, one 

company in Colorado indicates a cost between $2.50/ton and $28.00/ton, whereas another 

company in Mississippi charges between $38.00/ton and $128.00/ton. In states without a 

dedicated offsite commercial infrastructure—for example, California, Ohio, Kentucky, and 

West Virginia—costs range between $15.00/ton and $75.00/ton. Burial of oil-based muds and 

cuttings in commercial pits is not widely reported. Two companies in Wyoming and one 

company in Utah indicate cost ranges between $2.00/bbl and $17.00/bbl. 
 56 

TABLE 22 Disposal Fees for Oil-Based Muds and Cuttings

Disposal Fee State Facility 

Bioremediation 

$20.00/yd3 NM JFJ Landfarm Inc. 

$40.00/bbl MT PetroComp 

$50.00−$120.00/yd3 WY Newpark Environmental Services 

Burial (landfill) 

$12.75/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Galveston (Transfer) 

$14.00−$42.00/ton NM Lea Land Inc. 

$15.00−$22.00/bbl ND Dishon Disposal Inc. - Dishon Landfill 

$15.00−$30.00/ton ND Prairie Disposal Inc. - Krenz Landfill 

$15.00−$50.00/ton OH American Landfill Inc. 

$16.00/yd3 NM Gandy Marley Inc. 

$16.00−$65.00/ton OH Countywide Landfill and Landfill Gas Processing Plant 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Coshocton Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Mahoning Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Suburban Landfill 

$18.00/yd3 NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

$18.00/yd3 NM Sundance Services Inc. 

$2.50−$28.00/ton CO Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Trail LLC 

$20.00−$30.00/ton MS MacLand Disposal Center 

$28.75/ton WV Allied Waste Management Inc. - Sycamore Landfill 

$30.00−$60.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Northwestern Landfill 

$32.00/ton AL BFI Timberlands Sanitary Landfill 

$35.00−$80.00/ton ND Indian Hills Disposal Inc. - Indian Hill Landfill 

$38.00/ton MS Waste Management - Central Landfill 

$38.00−$128.00/ton MS Waste Management Inc. - Pecan Grove Sanitary Recycling and Disposal 

$38.00−$75.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Meadowfill Landfill 

$56.00/ton KY Allied Waste Management - Green Valley Landfill General Partnership 

$6.67−$8.50/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Zapata (Direct) 

$65.00−$70.00/ton CA Waste Management Inc. - McKittrick Facility 

$68.00−$80.00/drum UT Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Grassy Mountain Landfill 

$7.71−$9.25/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Rincon (Direct) 

$70.00/ton AL Waste Management Inc. - Chastang Landfill 

Burial (pit) 

$17.00/bbl WY High Plains Resources Inc. - Parkman Reservoir 

$2.00−$8.00/bbl WY Jim’s Water Service - McBeth Pits 

$30.00/yd3 TX J. Moss Investments Inc. - Bustamante Facility 

$8.00/bbl UT Brennan Bottom Disposal 

Cavern 

$2.00−$7.00/bbl TX Coastal Caverns Inc. 

$3.50/bbl TX Wasson Solid Waste Disposal System LLC 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Andrews (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Big Spring (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Fort Stockton (Direct) 
 57 

TABLE 22 Disposal Fees for Oil-Based Muds and Cuttings

Disposal Fee State Facility 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Plains (Direct) 

$6.00/bbl TX Taylor Disposal Operating Inc. - Caverns 1 & 2 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl TX CCS Energy Services LLC - Kiva (Direct) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl TX CCS Energy Services LLC - Moss Bluff (Direct) 

Evaporation 

$8.50/bbl WY Piney Company 

$8.50/bbl WY R&G Inc. 

$8.50/bbl WY Waste Inc. 

Injection (solids) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Farnett (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Port Arthur (Direct) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Cameron (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon I (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon II (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Morgan City (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Venice (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Galveston (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Ingleside (Transfer) 

Land Application 

$100.00/ton UT LaPoint Recycle and Storage 

$12.00/bbl NM T-N-T Environmental Inc. 

$17.00−$34.00/yd3 NM Contract Environmental Services Inc. 

$18.00/yd3−$18.00/bbl NM Envirotech Inc. 

$20.00/yd3 NM JFJ Landfarm Inc. 

$25.00/yd3 NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

$4.00/bbl UT MC & MC Disposal 

$55.00/ton WY Sweetwater County Solid Waste Disposal District #1 

$7.50/yd3 UT A-1 Tank Rental and Brine Services Inc. 

Recycling 

$16.00/bbl OK DRD Waste Treatment Solutions 

$5.00/bbl CA Envirocycle 

Thermal Treatment 

$0.19/lb ($0.14−$0.40/lb) NE Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Kimball Facility 

$0.45/lb TX Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Park LP 

$100.00/drum FL Rinker Materials Environmental Services 

Treatment

$11.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bateman Island (Direct) 

$11.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Berwick (Transfer) 

$11.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bourg (Direct) 

$12.75/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Cameron (Transfer) 
 58 

TABLE 22 Disposal Fees for Oil-Based Muds and Cuttings

Disposal Fee State Facility 

$12.75/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Fourchon (Transfer) 

$12.75/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$12.75/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Venice (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Cameron (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Fourchon (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Morgan City (Direct) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Venice (Transfer) 

$9.00/bbl TX Eco Mud Disposal - Alice Facility 

$9.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Elm Grove (Direct) 

$9.50−$14.50/bbl AL CCS Energy Services LLC 

Land application of oil-based muds and cuttings is mainly offered in New Mexico 

(five companies) but also in Utah (two companies) and Wyoming (one company). Costs range 

between $4.00/bbl and $85.71/bbl, $7.50/yd3 and $34.00/yd3, and between $55.00/ton and 

$100.00/ton. One company in New Mexico explained that a wetter waste stream needing to be 

run through a blending facility can incur a higher charge of up to $85.71/bbl. 

Treatment of oil-based muds is offered by US Liquids of Louisiana LP, CCS Energy 

Services LLC in Louisiana and Alabama, and Eco Mud Disposal in Texas. Costs range between 

$6.00/bbl and $15.00/bbl. 

Solids injection of oil-based muds and cuttings is undertaken by Newpark Environmental 

Services in Louisiana and Texas. Costs range between $5.00/bbl and $10.50/bbl. 

Cavern disposal is a competitive option for oil-based muds and cuttings in Texas. Five 

companies at multiple facilities offer their services for a cost between $2.00/bbl and $15.00/bbl. 

Evaporation of oil-based muds and cuttings is reported in Wyoming. Three companies 

offer their services for $8.50/bbl. 

Bioremediation does not play a major role for oil-based muds and cuttings. Costs range 

between $20.00/yd3 and 120.00/yd3 in New Mexico and Wyoming. One company in Montana 

charges $40.00/bbl. 

Recycling of oil-based muds and cuttings is not widely reported. One company identified 

in California charges $5.00/bbl. Another company in Oklahoma indicates a cost of $16.00/bbl. 

Thermal treatment represents a more expensive disposal option for oil-based muds and 

cuttings. Three facilities—located in Nebraska, Utah, and Texas—indicate a cost range between 

$380.00/ton and $900.00/ton. One facility in Florida asks $100.00/drum. 
 59 

4.4.4 Produced Water 

Table 23 presents the cost information for produced water by disposal method. Overall 

disposal costs are $0.30/bbl to $105.00/bbl. The highest costs are charged by a thermal treatment 

facility in Texas, an evaporation facility in Colorado, and a landfill facility in Louisiana. That 

landfill operator advised that not much produced water is managed at the facility. The lowest 

costs are charged by one cavern operator in Texas as well as several injection facilities in 

Oklahoma. By far, the most common commercial disposal method for produced water is 

injection, followed by evaporation and burial. 

Injection of produced water on a commercial basis occurs throughout the United States. 

Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma hold the most significant shares in commercial disposal well 

operations. The disposal costs range between $0.30/bbl and $10.00/bbl. In most cases, costs do 

not even reach $1.00/bbl. Newpark Environmental Services in Louisiana and Texas disposes of 

produced water through solids injection. Costs range between $5.00/bbl and $10.50/bbl. 

Evaporation of produced water is most widely reported in Wyoming (seven companies), 

followed by Colorado (four companies), Utah (four companies), and New Mexico (three 

companies). Except in one case, the disposal costs range between $0.40/bbl and $3.95/bbl. One 

company in Colorado asks $84.00/bbl. 

Burial in landfills is available for produced water across the nation. However, 

solidification, which is generally required, drives up the costs. Volume-based costs range 

between $3.00/bbl and $22.00/bbl in Texas and North Dakota, and $18.00 yd3 in New Mexico. 

Weight-based costs vary significantly by state, but generally fall into a range between $15.00/ton 

and $80.00/ton. Mississippi and Louisiana report higher ranges of up to $128.00/ton and 

$250.00/ton, respectively. Burial of produced water in commercial pits is not widely reported. 

Three companies—one in Oklahoma, another in Utah, and yet another one in Wyoming—report 

costs ranging between $0.35 and $4.00/bbl. 

Cavern disposal is a competitive option for produced water in Texas. Five companies at 

multiple facilities offer their services for a cost between $0.30/bbl and $10.00/bbl. 

Discharge of produced water under an NPDES permit was reported by three companies 

in Pennsylvania and one company in Wyoming. The costs range between $0.045/gal and 

$0.055/gal ($2.25/bbl and $2.75/bbl) in Pennsylvania, and between $2.50/bbl and $3.50/bbl in 

Wyoming. All four companies apply treatment prior to discharge operations. Two facilities in 

Pennsylvania discharge produced water to a POTW for a disposal fee of $0.015/gal to $0.050/gal 

($0.75/bbl to $2.50/bbl). 
 60 

TABLE 23 Disposal Fees for Produced Water

Disposal Fee State Facility 

Burial (landfill) 

$15.00−$22.00/bbl ND Dishon Disposal Inc. - Dishon Landfill 

$15.00−$50.00/ton OH American Landfill Inc. 

$16.00−$65.00/ton OH Countywide Landfill and Landfill Gas Processing Plant 

$18.00/yd3 NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

$30.00−$60.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Northwestern Landfill 

$35.00−$80.00/ton ND Indian Hills Disposal Inc. - Indian Hill Landfill 

$37.00/ton AZ Diversified Transportation 

$38.00/ton MS Waste Management - Central Landfill 

$38.00−$128.00/ton MS Waste Management Inc. - Pecan Grove Sanitary Recycling and Disposal 

Facility 

$38.00−$75.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Meadowfill Landfill 

$55.00−$75.00/ton MS MacLand Disposal Center 

$56.00/ton KY Allied Waste Management - Green Valley Landfill General Partnership 

$75.00−$250.00/ton LA Chemical Waste Management Inc. 

Burial (pit) 

$0.35/bbl OK Femco (Webb Dozer) 

$0.87/bbl UT Brennan Bottom Disposal 

$1.50/bbl WY Jim’s Water Service - McBeth Pits 

$1.75−$4.00/bbl WY High Plains Resources Inc. - Parkman Reservoir 

Cavern 

$0.30−$0.40/bbl TX Coastal Caverns Inc. 

$3.50/bbl TX Wasson Solid Waste Disposal System LLC 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Andrews (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Big Spring (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Fort Stockton (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Plains (Direct) 

$6.00/bbl TX Taylor Disposal Operating Inc. - Caverns 1 & 2 

$0.50−$3.00/bbl TX CCS Energy Services LLC - Kiva (Direct) 

$0.50−$3.00/bbl TX CCS Energy Services LLC - Moss Bluff (Direct) 

Discharge (NPDES) 

$ 0.055/gal PA Pennsylvania Brine Treatment 

$0.045/gal PA Tunnelton Liquids Co. 

$0.0525/gal PA Hart Resource Technologies 

$2.50−$3.50/bbl WY Newpark Environmental Services 

Discharge (POTW) 

$0.015/gal PA Moshannon Valley Sewer Authority 

$0.025−$0.050/gal PA Castle Environmental Inc. 

Evaporation 

$0.40/bbl NM Sundance Services, Inc. 

$0.50−$0.75/bbl UT MC & MC Disposal 

$0.60/bbl NM Loco Hills Water Disposal 
 61 

TABLE 23 Disposal Fees for Produced Water

Disposal Fee State Facility 

$0.78/bbl NM T-N-T Environmental Inc. 

$0.85/bbl UT R.N. Industries 

$1.00/bbl UT A-1 Tank Rental and Brine Svs. Inc. 

$1.20/bbl CO R.N. Industries 

$1.23/bbl UT Montezuma Well Service 

$1.50/bbl CO Unnamed 

$1.95−$3.95/bbl CO Four Mile Creek Facility 

$2.02/bbl WY Samson Resources – Wamsutter 

$2.05/bbl WY Oilfield Disposal Services Inc. 

$2.05/bbl WY Piney Company 

$2.05/bbl WY R&G Inc. 

$2.05/bbl WY Waste Inc. 

$2.50−$3.00/bbl WY Sweetwater County Solid Waste Disposal District #1 

$3.50/bbl WY Anticline Disposal LLC 

$84.00/bbl CO Reams Construction 80-Ponds 

Injection 

$0.30/bbl OK Nichols Water Service Inc. - A.R. Turner 2-1 

$0.30/bbl OK Nichols Water Service Inc. - Nichols 1 

$0.30/bbl OK Nichols Water Service Inc. - Nichols 2 

$0.30/bbl OK Nichols Water Service Inc. - Nichols 3 

$0.35/bbl OK T & S Mud Disposal 

$0.35−$0.50/bbl AL T.K. Stanley Inc. 

$0.37/bbl MS Radzewicz Operating Corporation 

$0.40/bbl AR Fugo Services 

$0.40/bbl NM Chaparral Service Inc. 

$0.40/bbl OK Fugo Services - Blizzard 

$0.40/bbl OK Fugo Services - Buckner 

$0.40/bbl OK Fugo Services - Mackey 

$0.40/bbl OK Fugo Services - Nichols 

$0.40/bbl OK Fugo Services - Quinton 

$0.40−$4.00/bbl TX S & D Services - Floyd 

$0.45/bbl AL Zinn Petroleum Company 

$0.50/bbl AL Wastewater Disposal Service, Inc. 

$0.50/bbl LA Charles Holston, Inc. 

$0.50/bbl LA Guillory Tank Truck Service 

$0.50/bbl LA Louisiana Tank, Inc. 

$0.50/bbl MI Seiler Tank Truck Service Inc. 

$0.50/bbl ND Missouri Basin Well Service, Inc. - H.T. Knudtson 

$0.50/bbl ND Missouri Basin Well Service, Inc. - Zenith-Newton Unit 

$0.50/bbl NM O K Hot Oil Service Inc. 

$0.50/bbl TX Mo-Vac Service Co. Inc. - Andrews 

$0.50/bbl TX Wasson Solid Waste Disposal System LLC - RCC District 8A/Yoakum County 

(2) 

$0.50−$10.00/bbl LA Saline Injection Systems Co. 

$0.55/bbl AR Eastern Tank Service 

$0.55/bbl AR Property Transfer Corp. 
 62 

TABLE 23 Disposal Fees for Produced Water

Disposal Fee State Facility 

$0.60/bbl LA Houma Salt Water Disposal Corp. - Off LA Hwy 316 

$0.60/bbl MS Earth Resources 

$0.60/bbl NM Gandy Marley Inc. 

$0.60/bbl OK Trout Disposal 

$0.60−$0.65/bbl OK Safe Earth Inc. 

$0.65/bbl LA Philip Environmental Services (PSC Industrial Outsourcing, Inc.) - Morgan 

City Facility 

$0.67/bbl LA Habetz Oilfield Saltwater Service 

$0.70/bbl ND Ward-Williston Company - Carpentier 

$0.70/bbl ND Ward-Williston Company - Martin-Williams 

$0.70/bbl ND Ward-Williston Company - Montgomery 

$0.70/bbl ND Ward-Williston Company - Pan Am 

$0.70/bbl ND Ward-Williston Company - Theodore 

$0.70/bbl TX Taylor Disposal Operating Inc. - Butler 

$0.75/bbl AR Key Energy Services 

$0.75/bbl LA Key Energy Services, Inc. - Athens 

$0.75/bbl LA Key Energy Services, Inc. - Oil City 

$0.75/bbl LA O’Brian Energy Co. 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Amando, Webb County School Land, Mckendrick, 

and Barker 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Bettie Unit, Porter/Holland, and Sebesta Earl 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Bloes and Thornton/Henry 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Brown/Alma and Jeter-Farmer 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Burns and Hanselman Unit 1 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Carthage Loop, Deberry Panola County Disposal, 

Reed, and Singlton Fee (2) 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Case 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Cashburn 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Cooper 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Dasani 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Early 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Freestone County (2) 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Gangl Unit 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Gayle,(2) 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. – Gutierrez (2), Leonard, Medina/Lozano, Villareal 

(3), and Ramirez 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Hunt/William and Brushy Creek Gas Unit 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Hutson 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Joaquin 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Kinder/George 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Kristina 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Live Oak County 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Mckeown and Meisenheimer 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Moser (2) 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Nichols Unit 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Peterson 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - South Texas Disposal Inc. 
 63 

TABLE 23 Disposal Fees for Produced Water

Disposal Fee State Facility 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Standifer 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Teeters 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Vick and Lisa 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Washington County, Clay Creek East Unit, and 

Linda G 

$0.75/bbl TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Youngblood 

$0.85/bbl LA Pool Company - Minden 

$0.88/bbl NM Basin Disposal Inc. 

$035−$0.75/bbl ND Black Hawk Resources LLC - Hatter 

$035−$0.75/bbl ND Black Hawk Resources LLC - Klandl 

$1.00/bbl LA Hallar Enterprises Inc. Disposal Site 

$1.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Elm Grove (Direct) 

$1.00/bbl WV Base Petroleum 

$1.00/bbl WV Danny Web Construction 

$1.00−$1.50/bbl MI Beckman Production Services Inc. 

$1.30−$1.75/bbl MI Northeastern Exploration 

$2.00/bbl WY Mel’s Water Service 

$3.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Mermenteau (Transfer) 

$3.00/bbl WY Joe Scott Enterprises LLC - Reed Fee 

$3.00/bbl WY Yellow Creek Production and Water Disposal LLC - Carpente 

$3.00−$7.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Berwick (Transfer) 

$3.00−$7.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Cameron (Transfer) 

$3.00−$7.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Fourchon (Transfer) 

$3.00−$7.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$3.00−$7.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Venice (Transfer) 

$65.00/load ND Energy Equity Company - Borgen 

$65.00/load ND Energy Equity Company - George Tank #1 

$65.00/load ND Energy Equity Company - Heckert 

$65.00/load ND Energy Equity Company - North Dickinson 

$7.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bateman Island (Direct) 

$7.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bourg (Direct) 

Injection (solids) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Farnett (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Port Arthur (Direct) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Cameron (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon I (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon II (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Morgan City (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Venice (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Galveston (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Ingleside (Transfer) 

Land Application 

$0.30−$0.40/bbl AR Comer Mining Corp. 

$100.00/ton UT LaPoint Recycle and Storage 
 64 

TABLE 23 Disposal Fees for Produced Water

Disposal Fee State Facility 

$18.00/bbl NM Envirotech Inc. 

$25.00/yd3 NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

Recycling 

$25.00/load OK DRD Waste Treatment Solutions 

$5.00/bbl CA Envirocycle 

Thermal Treatment 

$0.02−$0.20/lb TX Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Park LP 

Treatment 

$5.00/bbl TX Eco Mud Disposal - Alice Facility 

$5.00−$14.00/bbl AL CCS Energy Services LLC 

Land application of produced water is offered in Arkansas (one company), New Mexico 

(two companies) and Utah (one company). Costs are $0.30/bbl to $0.40/bbl in Arkansas, 

$5.18/bbl to $18.00/bbl in New Mexico, and $100/ton ($26.25/bbl) in Utah. 

Treatment of produced water is offered by CCS Energy Services LLC in Alabama and 

Eco Mud Disposal in Texas. Costs range from $5.00/bbl to $14.00/bbl. 

Recycling of produced water is not widely reported. One company identified in 

California charges $5.00/bbl. Another company in Oklahoma indicates a cost of $25.00/load. 

Thermal treatment of produced water is offered by Clean Harbors Environmental 

Services at its Deer Park facility. Costs range from $0.02/lb to $0.20/lb ($40.00/ton to $400/ton, 

or $10.5/bbl to $105.00/bbl). 

4.4.5 Tank Bottoms 

Table 24 presents the cost information for tank bottoms by disposal method. Disposal 

costs vary significantly by disposal method. 

Burial in landfills represents a significant disposal option for tank bottoms. Volumebased costs range between $6.67/bbl and $22.00/bbl in Texas and North Dakota, and $18.00/yd3

in New Mexico. Weight-based costs vary significantly by state. For example, one company in 

Colorado indicates a cost between $2.50/ton and $28.00/ton, whereas another company in 

Louisiana charges between $75.00/ton and $250.00/ton. In states without a dedicated offsite 

commercial infrastructure—for example, California, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia—costs 

range between $15.00/ton and $75.00/ton. Burial of tank bottoms in commercial pits is not 
 65 

widely reported. One company in Utah and another in Wyoming indicate cost ranges between 

$5.00/bbl and $17.00/bbl. 

Solids injection of tank bottoms is undertaken by Newpark Environmental Services in 

Louisiana and Texas. Costs range between $5.00/bbl and $10.50/bbl. 

Treatment of tank bottoms is offered by US Liquids of Louisiana LP, CCS Energy 

Services LLC in Louisiana and Alabama, and Eco Mud Disposal in Texas. Costs range from 

$6.00/bbl to $15.00/bbl. 

Cavern disposal is a competitive option for oil-based muds and cuttings in Texas. Five 

companies at multiple facilities offer their services for a cost between $2.00/bbl and $15.00/bbl. 

Recycling of tank bottoms was reported in five survey states. The volume-based costs 

range between $2.25/bbl and $5.00/bbl. One company in Arkansas charges $127.00/hr. 

Land application of tank bottoms is mainly offered in Utah (three companies), but also in 

New Mexico (two companies) and Wyoming (one company). Costs are $4.00/bbl, $7.50/yd3 to 

$85.71/yd3, and $55.00/ton to $100.00/ton. 

Evaporation of tank bottoms is reported in Utah. One company indicates a cost of 

$0.85/bbl. 

Thermal treatment represents a more expensive disposal option for tank bottoms. Costs 

reported from Florida, Nebraska, and Texas range from $200.00/ton to $900.00/ton 

Bioremediation does not play a major role for tank bottoms. One company in 

New Mexico charges $20.00/yd3, another company in Montana charges $40.00/bbl. 

TABLE 24 Disposal Fees for Tank Bottoms

Disposal Fee State Facility 

Bioremediation 

$20.00/yd3 NM JFJ Landfarm Inc. 

$40.00/bbl MT PetroComp 

Burial (landfill) 

$10.50/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Rincon (Direct) 

$10.50/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Zapata (Direct) 

$14.00/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Galveston (Transfer) 

$15.00−$22.00/bbl ND Dishon Disposal Inc. - Dishon Landfill 

$15.00−$30.00/ton ND Prairie Disposal Inc. - Krenz Landfill 

$15.00−$50.00/ton OH American Landfill Inc. 

$16.00−$65.00/ton OH Countywide Landfill and Landfill Gas Processing Plant 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Coshocton Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Mahoning Landfill 
 66 

TABLE 24 Disposal Fees for Tank Bottoms

Disposal Fee State Facility 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Suburban Landfill 

$18.00/yd3 NM Sundance Services Inc. 

$2.50−$28.00/ton CO Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Trail LLC 

$28.75/ton WV Allied Waste Management Inc. - Sycamore Landfill 

$30.00−$60.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Northwestern Landfill 

$32.00/ton AL BFI Timberlands Sanitary Landfill 

$35.00−$80.00/ton ND Indian Hills Disposal Inc. - Indian Hill Landfill 

$38.00/ton MS Waste Management - Central Landfill 

$38.00−$128.00/ton MS Waste Management Inc. - Pecan Grove Sanitary Recycling and 

Disposal Facility 

$38.00−$75.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Meadowfill Landfill 

$55.00−$75.00/ton MS MacLand Disposal Center 

$56.00/ton KY Allied Waste Management - Green Valley Landfill General Partnership 

$65.00−$70.00/ton CA Waste Management Inc. - McKittrick Facility 

$68.00−$80.00/drum UT Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Grassy Mountain Landfill 

$70.00/ton AL Waste Management Inc. - Chastang Landfill 

$75.00−$250.00/ton LA Chemical Waste Management Inc. 

Burial (pit) 

$17.00/bbl WY High Plains Resources Inc. - Parkman Reservoir 

$5.00/bbl UT Brennan Bottom Disposal 

Cavern 

$2.00−$7.00/bbl TX Coastal Caverns Inc. 

$3.50/bbl TX Wasson Solid Waste Disposal System LLC 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Andrews (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Big Spring (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Fort Stockton 

(Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Plains (Direct) 

$6.00/bbl TX Taylor Disposal Operating Inc. - Caverns 1 & 2 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl TX CCS Energy Services LLC - Kiva (Direct) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl TX CCS Energy Services LLC - Moss Bluff (Direct) 

Evaporation 

$0.85/bbl UT R.N. Industries 

Injection (solids) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Farnett (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Port Arthur (Direct) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Cameron (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon I (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon II (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Morgan City (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Venice (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Galveston (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Ingleside (Transfer) 
 67 

TABLE 24 Disposal Fees for Tank Bottoms

Disposal Fee State Facility 

Land Application 

$100.00/ton UT LaPoint Recycle and Storage 

$18.00/yd3−$18.00/bbl NM Envirotech Inc. 

$34.00/yd3 NM Contract Environmental Services Inc. 

$4.00/bbl UT MC & MC Disposal 

$55.00/ton WY Sweetwater County Solid Waste Disposal District #1 

$7.50/yd3 UT A-1 Tank Rental and Brine Services Inc. 

Recycling 

$127.00/hr AR Hydro-Kleen LLC 

$3.75/bbl NM Gandy Marley Inc. 

$5.00/bbl CA Envirocycle 

$5.00/bbl NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

$5.00/bbl OK DRD Waste Treatment Solutions 

Thermal Treatment 

$0.19/lb ($0.14−$0.40/lb) NE Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Kimball Facility 

$0.45/lb TX Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Park LP 

$200.00/ton FL Rinker Materials Environmental Services 

Treatment 

$10.50−$14.50/bbl AL CCS Energy Services LLC 

$12.00/bbl TX Eco Mud Disposal - Alice Facility 

$12.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bateman Island (Direct) 

$12.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Berwick (Transfer) 

$12.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Berwick (Transfer) 

$12.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bourg (Direct) 

$14.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Cameron (Transfer) 

$14.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Fourchon (Transfer) 

$14.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$14.00/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Venice (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Cameron (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Fourchon (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Morgan City (Direct) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Venice (Transfer) 

$9.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Elm Grove (Direct) 

4.4.6 Water-Based Muds and Cuttings 

Table 25 presents the cost information for water-based muds and cuttings by disposal 

method. Overall reported costs are $0.50/bbl to $22.00/bbl, $7.50/yd3 to $85.70/yd3, and 

$2.50/ton to $900/ton. 
 68 

Burial in landfills represents a significant disposal option for water-based muds and 

cuttings. Volume-based costs range between $2.61/bbl and $22.00/bbl in Texas and 

North Dakota, and $18.00/yd3 in New Mexico. Weight-based costs vary significantly by state. 

For example, one company in Colorado indicates a cost between $2.50/ton to $28.00/ton, 

whereas another company in Louisiana charges between $75.00/ton and $250.00/ton. In states 

without a dedicated offsite commercial infrastructure—for example, California, Ohio, Kentucky, 

and West Virginia—costs range between $15.00/ton and $75.00/ton. 

Burial of water-based muds and cuttings in commercial pits is still a common disposal 

method especially in Oklahoma, but also in Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Costs range between 

$1.00/bbl and $1.50/bbl in Oklahoma, $2.00/bbl to $7.00/bbl in Texas, $8.00/bbl in Utah, and 

$1.50/bbl to $17.00/bbl in Wyoming. 

Land application of water-based muds and cuttings is a prevalent disposal method, 

especially in New Mexico (six companies). It is also offered in Arkansas (four companies), Utah 

(three companies), Texas (two companies), and Wyoming (one company). Costs are $0.50/bbl 

(Arkansas) to $85.71/bbl (New Mexico), $7.50/yd3 to $25.00/yd3, and $55.00/ton to 

$100.00/ton. One company in Arkansas charges as low as $0.50/bbl, whereas the charge of 

$85.71/bbl in New Mexico is applied when wetter waste streams need to be run through a 

blending facility.

Treatment of water-based muds and cuttings is offered by US Liquids of Louisiana LP, 

CCS Energy Services in Louisiana and Alabama, and Eco Mud Disposal in Texas. Costs range 

from $6.00/bbl to $15.00/bbl. 

Solids injection of water-based muds and cuttings is undertaken by Newpark 

Environmental Services in Louisiana and Texas. Costs range between $5.00/bbl and $10.50/bbl. 

TABLE 25 Disposal Fees for Water-Based Muds and Cuttings

Disposal Fee State Facility 

Bioremediation 

$20.00/yd3 NM JFJ Landfarm Inc. 

$40.00/bbl MT PetroComp 

Burial (landfill) 

$10.75/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Galveston (Transfer) 

$14.00−$42.00/ton NM Lea Land Inc. 

$15.00−$22.00/bbl ND Dishon Disposal Inc. - Dishon Landfill 

$15.00−$30.00/ton ND Prairie Disposal Inc. - Krenz Landfill 

$15.00−$50.00/ton OH American Landfill Inc. 

$16.00/yd3 NM Gandy Marley Inc. 

$16.00−$65.00/ton OH Countywide Landfill and Landfill Gas Processing Plant 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Coshocton Landfill 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Mahoning Landfill 
 69 

TABLE 25 Disposal Fees for Water-Based Muds and Cuttings

Disposal Fee State Facility 

$18.00/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Suburban Landfill 

$18.00/yd3 NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

$18.00/yd3 NM Sundance Services Inc. 

$2.50−$28.00/ton CO Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Trail LLC 

$2.61/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Zapata (Direct) 

$20.00−$30.00/ton MS MacLand Disposal Center 

$24.00−$27.00/ton AZ Diversified Transportation 

$28.75/ton WV Allied Waste Management Inc. - Sycamore Landfill 

$3.25/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Rincon (Direct) 

$30.00−$60.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Northwestern Landfill 

$32.00/ton AL BFI Timberlands Sanitary Landfill 

$35.00−$80.00/ton ND Indian Hills Disposal Inc. - Indian Hill Landfill 

$38.00/ton MS Waste Management - Central Landfill 

$38.00−$128.00/ton MS Waste Management Inc. - Pecan Grove Sanitary Recycling and Disposal 

Facility 

$38.00−$75.00/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Meadowfill Landfill 

$56.00/ton KY Allied Waste Management - Green Valley Landfill General Partnership 

$65.00−$70.00/ton CA Waste Management Inc. - McKittrick Facility 

$68.00−$80.00/drum UT Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Grassy Mountain Landfill 

$70.00/ton AL Waste Management Inc. - Chastang Landfill 

$75.00−$250.00/ton LA Chemical Waste Management Inc. 

Burial (pit) 

$1.00/bbl OK O’Daniel 

$1.00/bbl OK T & S Mud Disposal 

$1.00/bbl OK Trout Disposal 

$1.00−$2.00/bbl OK Scott J. Inc. Oilfield Mud Disposal 

$1.00−$2.00/bbl TX Basic Energy Services - Duval 

$1.20/bbl 

($100.00−$150.00/load) 

OK Safe Earth Inc. 

$1.25/bbl OK Femco (Webb Dozer) 

$1.50/bbl OK Hamm & Phillips Service Company (Guard) 

$17.00/bbl WY High Plains Resources Inc. - Parkman Reservoir 

$2.00/bbl TX Karon Smith 

$2.00−$8.00/bbl WY Jim’s Water Service - McBeth Pits 

$3.00/bbl TX Mo-Vac Service Co. Inc. - Ganaway Facility 

$7.00/bbl TX J. Moss Investments Inc. - Bustamante Facility 

$8.00/bbl UT Brennan Bottom Disposal 

Cavern 

$2.00−$7.00/bbl TX Coastal Caverns Inc. 

$3.50/bbl TX Wasson Solid Waste Disposal System LLC 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Andrews (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Big Spring (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Fort Stockton (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Plains (Direct) 

$6.00/bbl TX Taylor Disposal Operating Inc. - Caverns 1 & 2 
 70 

TABLE 25 Disposal Fees for Water-Based Muds and Cuttings

Disposal Fee State Facility 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl TX CCS Energy Services LLC - Kiva (Direct) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl TX CCS Energy Services LLC - Moss Bluff (Direct) 

Evaporation 

$0.85/bbl UT R.N. Industries 

$4.00−$20.00/bbl CO Four Mile Creek Facility 

$7.00/bbl CO R.N. Industries 

$8.50/bbl WY Piney Company 

$8.50/bbl WY R&G Inc. 

$8.50/bbl WY Waste Inc. 

Injection 

$0.50/bbl AL Wastewater Disposal Service Inc. 

Injection (solids) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Farnett (Direct) 

$5.00−$10.00/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Port Arthur (Direct) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Cameron (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon I (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon II (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Morgan City (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Venice (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Galveston (Transfer) 

$5.50−$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Ingleside (Transfer) 

Land Application 

$0.50/bbl AR Fugo Services 

$1.00−$1.25/bbl AR Comer Mining Corp. 

$1.75/bbl AR Eastern Tank Service 

$100.00/ton UT LaPoint Recycle and Storage 

$12.00/bbl NM T-N-T Environmental Inc. 

$17.00/yd3 NM Contract Environmental Services Inc. 

$18.00/yd3 NM Envirotech Inc. 

$18.00/yd3−$8.00/bbl NM Envirotech Inc. 

$2.00/bbl AR Property Transfer Corp. 

$20.00/yd3 NM JFJ Landfarm Inc. 

$25.00/yd3 NM Controlled Recovery Inc. 

$4.00/bbl UT MC & MC Disposal 

$55.00/ton WY Sweetwater County Solid Waste Disposal District #1 

$7.50/yd3 UT A-1 Tank Rental and Brine Svs. Inc. 

$7.50/yd3−$2.50/bbl TX Basic Energy Services - Jefferson 

$7.50/yd3−$2.50/bbl TX Basic Energy Services - Jackson 

Recycling 

$5.00/bbl CA Envirocycle 

$75.00/load OK DRD Waste Treatment Solutions 
 71 

TABLE 25 Disposal Fees for Water-Based Muds and Cuttings

Disposal Fee State Facility 

Thermal Treatment 

$0.19/lb ($0.14−$.40/lb) NE Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Kimball Facility 

$0.45/lb TX Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Park LP 

Treatment 

$10.75/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Cameron (Transfer) 

$10.75/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Fourchon (Transfer) 

$10.75/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$10.75/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Venice (Transfer) 

$3.00/bbl TX Eco Mud Disposal - Alice Facility 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Cameron (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Fourchon (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Intercoastal City (Transfer) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Morgan City (Direct) 

$6.00−$15.00/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Venice (Transfer) 

$7.50−$9.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Elm Grove (Direct) 

$8.50−$12.50/bbl AL CCS Energy Services LLC 

$9.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Berwick (Transfer) 

$9.50−$11.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bateman Island (Direct) 

$9.50−$11.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Berwick (Transfer) 

$9.50−$11.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bourg (Direct) 

Cavern disposal is a competitive option for water-based muds and cuttings in Texas. Five 

companies at multiple facilities offer their services for a cost between $2.00/bbl and $15.00/bbl. 

Evaporation of water-based muds and cuttings is reported mainly in Wyoming (three 

companies), but also in Colorado (two companies) and Utah. The costs range between $0.85/bbl 

and $20.00/bbl. 

Thermal treatment represents a more expensive disposal option for water-based muds and 

cuttings. One company in Nebraska asks $380.00/ton, the other in Texas asks $900.00/ton. 

Bioremediation does not play a major role for water-based muds and cuttings. Costs are 

$20.00/yd3 in New Mexico and $40.00/bbl in Montana. 

Recycling of water-based muds and cuttings is not widely reported. One company 

identified in California charges $5.00/bbl. Another company in Oklahoma indicates a cost of 

$75.00/load. 
 72 

4.5 TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER INCIDENTAL COSTS 

Although disposal costs are important to an operator when determining the commercial 

waste disposal company of choice, transportation and other costs weigh heavily in the operator’s 

final decision. Because transportation costs typically increase proportionately with distance or 

time from well site to disposal site, economic incentives exist for operators to send their wastes 

to disposal facilities located within a reasonably short distance from the oil and gas E&P site. 

Generally, operators will not be inclined to transport waste more than 50 to 75 miles unless no 

other alternatives are available. 

The three large disposal companies in Louisiana and Texas (Newpark Environmental 

Services, CCS Energy Services LLC, and US Liquids of Louisiana LP) have established an 

extensive network of transfer stations along the Gulf Coast to reduce the distance that operators 

must transport their waste and to accommodate offshore wastes hauled back to shore. Operators 

can transport wastes to the transfer stations, where the waste management companies consolidate 

the waste, then move it by barge to one or more central treatment facilities. Throughout the 

tables in this report, the facilities operated by these three companies are designated as either 

Direct (treatment is performed at that site) or Transfer. 

Most operators charge by the hour—typically, $55.00/hr to $175.00/hr. In many 

instances, a fuel surcharge is levied. Others use a per-load or per-container basis—for example, 

in one case $1.00/bbl to $3.00/bbl. Companies may also offer to contract out the transportation 

component. They then charge the contractor price augmented by a certain percentage. Distance, 

job sizes, preexisting and long-term relationships, and surging oil prices are important factors for 

calculating case-specific transportation fees. Disposal companies offer trucking and roll-off 

service. Trucking vehicles include regular dump trucks, vacuum trucks, bobtails, trailers, and 

tankers. In the course of roll-off service, the roll-off container is transported to the point of 

collection by a special collection vehicle, and then rolled off the collection vehicle and left for 

filling. When it is ready to be serviced, an empty container is delivered to the point of collection, 

rolled off, and the full container is loaded onto the collection vehicle and taken to the disposal 

facility. 

In cases where business is generated from offshore, companies offer barges. Hopper 

barges have a capacity of 6,500 bbl. They are rented on a per-day or per-bbl basis. The cleaning 

fees for trucks, boats, and containers vary widely. Washouts trigger in most cases an hourly or 

flat fee. Reported ranges are between $35.00/job and $200.00/job. One company charges 

$350 per 15-minute increments. The fee for cleaning out large dirty barges may be as high as 

$10,000.00/job. In one case, the fee is calculated by volume⎯$0.40/gal. Containers are also 

charged by the amount of wash water used or the amount of wash water going to disposal. 

One company reports very specific transportation-related fees: $95.00 for 

trucking/transportation; $75.00 for Bobcat with operator; $225.00 for crane with operator; 

$75.00 for forklift with operator; and $175.00 for track hoe with operator. The company also 

charges other handling fees: $75.00 for container handling (dump and rinse 25 bbl or less); 

$45.00 for container rehandling (25 bbl or less); $150.00 for drum handling; $100.00 truck 

washout without wash water; $300.00 for gauging/waste volume verification; $3,125.00 for 
 73 

barge cleaning (open top shale, 1,500 bbl or less); and $3,750.00 (open top shale, 1,500 to 

3,000 bbl). Third-party equipment triggers cost plus 15%. 

When laboratory tests are conducted the fees range between $0.00/test and 

$2,000.00/test, and in one case $5,000.00/well. In many cases, facilities conduct tests to protect 

themselves. Generators are required to fill out paperwork concerning the waste materials. 
 74 

5 CONCLUSIONS 

No comprehensive national effort has been undertaken since 1997 to identify the 

commercial waste management facilities handling E&P wastes in the United States. This report 

provides current information on the names of the waste management facilities, their locations, 

the methods used to manage the wastes, and the costs they charge. The major conclusions of this 

report are provided below. 

• At the federal level, the majority of oil field wastes are covered by the 

exemption from the hazardous waste provisions of RCRA. This simplifies the 

disposal of oil field waste and allows for reduced disposal costs. The federal 

exemption does not, however, preclude these wastes from control under other 

federal regulations and state regulations. All oil- and gas-producing states 

except California have adopted the federal exemption. In California, the 

exemption is narrower. The exemption does not apply if toxicity is determined 

on the basis of criteria other than TCLP, or the waste meets any of the other 

three characteristics of hazardous waste (ignitability, corrosivity, and 

reactivity). 

• Oil field wastes are regulated at the state level. All oil- and gas-producing 

states allow onsite disposal of oil field wastes. Most companies choose onsite 

over offsite disposal because of cost savings and operational logistics. 

• Yet, a significant market for offsite commercial disposal operations continues 

to exist. Interviews with oil and gas officials in 30 oil- and gas-producing 

states suggest three offsite disposal trends. 

− Eight states have a dedicated industry-specific network of offsite 

commercial disposal companies and facilities in place. 

− In seven states, a smaller number of offsite commercial disposal 

companies operate, and their services are primarily focused on produced 

water. 

− Fifteen states contain few or no disposal companies dedicated to oil and 

gas industry waste. The only offsite commercial disposal companies 

available include mainly general industrial waste disposal facilities or 

sanitary landfills. 

• The disposal methods being used across the country include bioremediation, 

burial, cavern, discharge, evaporation, injection, land application, recycling, 

thermal treatment, and treatment. 

• The costs of offsite commercial disposal vary significantly, depending on the 

disposal method, the host state of disposal operations, and the degree of 
 75 

competition in the area. The cost ranges for each type of waste are presented 

below, using only per barrel cost figures. In nearly all cases, most costs fall 

within a narrower band. Multiple disposal methods are used for each type of 

waste. By far the most common commercial disposal method for produced 

water is injection. 

− Contaminated soil disposal costs range from $1.00/bbl to $22/bbl. 

− NORM disposal costs range from $40/bbl to $300/bbl. Some municipal 

landfills charge lower tipping fees for wastes with low levels of NORM. 

− Oil-based muds and cuttings disposal costs range from $2.00/bbl to 

$40.00/bbl. 

− Produced water injection costs range from $0.30/bbl to $10.00/bbl, but in 

most cases do not even reach $1.00/bbl. 

− Tank bottom disposal costs range from $0.85/bbl to $40/bbl. 

− Water-based muds and cuttings disposal costs range from $0.50/bbl to 

$40/bbl. 

• When wastes are sent offsite for regulatory, economic, or other reasons, 

operators closely examine the total cost. In addition to the actual disposal 

costs, other cost factors include transportation and incidental activities. 
 76 

6 REFERENCES 

American Petroleum Institute (API), 2000, Overview of Exploration and Production Waste 

Volumes and Waste Management Practices in the United States, prepared by ICF Consulting for 

the American Petroleum Institute, May. 

CalEPA (California Environmental Protection Agency), 2002, Oil Exploration and Production 

Waste Initiative, May. 

DNR (Louisiana Department of Natural Resources), 2000, “SONRIS/2000, Open Commercial 

Facility Report.” Available at http://reports.dnr.state.la.us/reports/rwservlet?SRCN4683O_p. 

Accessed April 25, 2006. 

Petrusak, R., 2005, personal communication from Petrusak (Project Manager, ICF Consulting) to 

J. Veil (Argonne National Laboratory, Washington, D.C.), Sept. 

Pochop. L., et al., 1985, Design Information for Evaporation Ponds in Wyoming, WWRC-85-21. 

Available at http://library.wrds.uwyo.edu/wrp/85-21/85-21.html. Accessed May 8, 2006. 

RRC (Railroad Commission of Texas), 2006a, “Interactive Data.” Available at 

http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/interactive_data.html. Accessed April 25, 2006. 

RRC, 2006b, “Oil and Gas Division, Commercial Surface Disposal Facilities.” Available at 

http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/divisions/og/uic/wastfac/facilities.html. Accessed April 25, 2006. 

RRC, 2006c, “Disposal/Injection Well Counts by District.” Available at http://www.rrc.state.

tx.us/divisions/og/uic/waterbank.html. Accessed April 25, 2006. 

RRC, 2006d, “Oil and Gas Division, Active Organization Directory.” Available at 

http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/divisions/og/ogdirectory/ogdirectory.pdf. Accessed April 25, 2006. 

Veil, J., 1997, Costs for Off-Site Disposal of Nonhazardous Oil Field Wastes: Salt Caverns 

versus Other Disposal Methods, prepared by Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Ill., for the 

U.S. Department of Energy, April. Available at http://www.ead.anl.gov/pub/dsp_detail.cfm?

PubId=98. 

Veil, J., et al., 2004, Drilling Waste Management Information System, prepared by Argonne 

National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology 

Laboratory, June 2004. Available at http://web.ead.anl.gov/dwm/. 

Wakim, P.G., 1987, API 1985 Production Waste Survey, Statistical Analysis and Survey Results, 

American Petroleum Institute, Washington, D.C., Oct. 
 A-1 

APPENDIX A: 

COMMERCIAL E&P WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES 

IN THE UNITED STATES 
 A-2 
TABLE A.1 Database of Commercial E&P Waste Disposal Facilities in the United Statesa State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Contam. soils $32/ton Accepts nonhazar

waste. Rates depedoes not own its owould involve mawaste. OBMs and cuttings $32/ton Tank bottoms $32/ton AL BFI Timberlands Sanitary Landfill Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $32/ton NA NA NA Contam. soils $50/yd3 The patented Conusing 80 years of treatment experieSeparation,” specand other problemsystem componento suit the custom

OBMs and cuttings $9.50–$14.50/bbl Produced water $5–$14/bbl Tank bottoms $10.50–$14.50/bbl AL CCS Energy Services LLC Treatment WBMs and cuttings $8.50–$12.50/bbl $90/hr $200/truck $5,000/well AL T.K. Stanley Inc. Injection Produced water $0.35–$0.50/bbl $75– $85/hr NA NA Charge depends o

bought from supp
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Contam. soils $70/ton Sanitary landfill. 

without treatment and $36/ ton. NOlevels must be lowthreshold. NORM $70/ton OBMs and cuttings $70/ton Tank bottoms $70/ton AL Waste Management Inc. - Chastang Landfill Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $70/ton $112/hr NA NA WBMs and cuttings $0.50/bbl Accepts water-ba

waste materials mclogging. Mainly 

AL Wastewater Disposal Service Inc. Injection Produced water $0.50/bbl NA NA NA AL Zinn Petroleum Company Injection Produced water $0.45/bbl NA NA NA Generator conduc

Produced water AR Comer Mining $0.30–$0.40/bbl NA Corp. Land application WBMs and cuttings $1–$1.25/bbl NA NA NA Injection Produced water AR Eastern Tank $0.55/bbl NA Service Land application WBMs and cuttings $1.75/bbl $95/hr NA NA Injection Produced water $0.40/bbl Fuel surcharge ap

water. Fuel surch

AR Fugo Services Land application WBMs and cuttings $0.50/bbl $85/hr NA NA 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis AR Hydro-Kleen LLC Recycling Tank bottoms $127/hr $127/hr $127/hr NA Reclamation proc

separates out saltwbottoms are placeheated up to 140/times, chemicals If recovered prodno fees accrue. If marketable or sm

could range up to disposed of in a dcompanies such aconducts field sur

AR Key Energy Services Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $70/hr NA NA NA Injection Produced water AR Property Transfer $0.55/bbl Emulsified oil to 

Corp. Land application WBMs and cuttings $2/bbl $95/hr NA NA Produced water $37/ton $90– $95/hr $90–$95/hr Company is a wo

Offers brokerage provides service fthe gas sector. Proseparate cells at laManagement and Transportation by landfill. Has handwater over a 14-m

AZ Diversified Transportation Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $24–$27/ton $70/hr $70/hr $1,500– $2,000/test Contam. soils $15/ton NA OBMs and cuttings $5/bbl Produced water $5/bbl CA Envirocycle Recycling Tank bottoms $5/bbl NA NA $400– $500/test 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

WBMs and cuttings $5/bbl Contam. soils Facility is a nonh

Landfilling dispoaround $45/ton. OBMs and cuttings Tank bottoms CA Waste Management Inc. - McKittrick Facility Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $65–$70/ton NA NA NA Contam. soils $2.50–$28/ton Certain nonhazardaround $2.50/tonwaste at $28/ton. service, which triroundtrip fees. Trprovided, and feeexample, a Denvepriced at $1,000. OBMs and cuttings $2.50–$28/ton Tank bottoms $2.50–$28/ton CO Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Trail LLC Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $2.50–$28/ton NA NA NA Contam. soils $45/ton Facility recovers 

Produced water $1.95–$3.95/bbl Price varies with 

Facility recovers 

CO Four Mile Creek Facility Evaporation WBMs and cuttings $4–$20/bbl NA NA NA Price varies with 

Facility recovers 

Produced water CO R.N. Industries Evaporation $1.20/bbl NA WBMs and cuttings $7/bbl $100/hr $100/hr $100– $1,000/test CO Reams Construction - 80 Ponds Evaporation Produced water $84/bbl $70/hr $70/hr $0 Nonhazardous so
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis CO Unnamed Evaporation Produced water $1.50/bbl NA NA NA Facility declined 

Facility uses a serof forced evaporaair sparge moduleout-of-state laborcovered by overalremaining solids road construction

FL Perdido Landfill Escambia County Burial (landfill) Contam. soils $28/ton NA NA NA The Perdido Land

($7 minimum reqEscambia County Florida. Disposal $92/ton, with a stClass I waste is pgenerated by resid
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Contam. soils $35/ton NA NA $350/test Facility takes non

hydrocarbons, ancontaminants and alternate fuel sourultra-high temperincorporates any ra component of RContaminated soidesorber to rid it to being fed as a ccement productiocleaned soils and 2,800°F is an iner“clinker.” The cliground with gypsBefore any materrepresentative anaensure that it meeMaterials requiremprecertification, trechecked at its olaboratory. The lacertified field samanalysis for its cuproject services.” a fleet of transporserve clients’ solicontamination reqtruck transport, Rrailcar services thvariety of special requirements that 

OBMs and cuttings $100/drum FL Rinker Materials Environmental Services Thermal treatment Tank bottoms $200/ton 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Contam. soils $56/ton Waste stream mu

liquid and pass thconducts profiling internal company slurrification capadisposal fee of $5accrues. OBMs and cuttings $56/ton Produced water $56/ton Tank bottoms $56/ton KY Allied Waste Management - Green Valley Landfill General Partnership Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $56/ton NA NA 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Cameron (Transfer) Treatment Contam. soils $6–$15/bbl $55– $75/hr $150/job $0 Wastes are stabili

specification oil fetc., and trucked trecycle use as alteoccasionally provthe well site to its provide trucking landfills because title to these solidthe CCS plant. Toffers the truckinturnkey fee, whicprice and presentelump sum $/bbl fewhen the distance should be noted thbusiness (+/-70%or near offshore ofleet of USCG-ap(~ 6,500 bbl eachfrom its transfer sdisposal facilitiesrented to the genebarge(s) at the rig barges on a $/day or adds it into its out barges, it may generator use its tfacilities. The clecuttings boxes, anSimple truck waslarge dirty boat taBoxes and contaithe bbl of wash w
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

OBMs and cuttings $6–$15/bbl Tank bottoms $6–$15/bbl WBMs and cuttings $6–$15/bbl added to the cost 

no lab fees are chunless there is a smore in-depth anafacilities is requirEvery shipment oanalyzed for a few vary slightly from analyses are NOR

temperature, and charged dependinperformed (e.g., cequipment time, a

Contam. soils $6–$15/bbl Same as CCS —COBMs and cuttings $6–$15/bbl Tank bottoms $6–$15/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Fourchon (Transfer) Treatment WBMs and cuttings $6–$15/bbl $55– $75/hr $150/job $0 Contam. soils $6–$15/bbl Same as CCS —COBMs and cuttings $6–$15/bbl Tank bottoms $6–$15/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - ICY (Transfer) Treatment WBMs and cuttings $6–$15/bbl $55– $75/hr $150/job $0 Contam. soils $6–$15/bbl Same as CCS —COBMs and cuttings $6–$15/bbl Tank bottoms $6–$15/bbl LA CCS Energy Services LLC - Morgan City (Direct) Treatment WBMs and cuttings $6–$15/bbl $55– $75/hr $150/job $0 LA CCS Energy Contam. soils $6–$15/bbl Same as CCS —C

Services LLC - Venice Treatment OBMs and cuttings $6–$15/bbl $55– $75/hr $150/job $0 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

(Transfer) Tank bottoms $6–$15/bbl WBMs and cuttings $6–$15/bbl LA Charles Holston, Inc. Injection Produced water $0.50/bbl $68/hr NA NA NA Contam. soils $75–$250/ton Exploration and p

disposal costs ran$100/ton for direc$150/ton and $25liquids. Transporttruck mile, with a 

Produced water $75–$250/ton Tank bottoms $75–$250/ton LA Chemical Waste Management Inc. Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $75–$250/ton NA NA NA LA Guillory Tank Truck Service Injection Produced water $0.50/bbl $68/hr NA NA NA LA Habetz Oilfield Saltwater Service Injection Produced water $0.67/bbl NA NA NA Facility charges $

120 bbl). LA Hallar Enterprises Inc. Disposal Site Injection Produced water $1/bbl $70/hr NA NA Waste stream mu

Disposal and tranaccording to volu

LA Houma Salt Water Disposal Corp. - Off LA Hwy 316 Injection Produced water $0.60/bbl NA NA NA NA LA Key Energy Services, Inc. – Athens Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis LA Key Energy Services, Inc. - Oil City Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

LA Louisiana Tank, Inc. Injection Produced water $0.50/bbl $71.40/hr NA NA NA Contam. soils $5.50–$10.50/bbl Disposal process 

injection. Fees foat the higher end may be higher tharange given here increment of $0.5barges. It takes custation. Lab analyCl. OBMs and cuttings $5.50–$10.50/bbl Produced water $5.50–$10.50/bbl Tank bottoms $5.50–$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Cameron (Transfer) Injection (solids) WBMs and cuttings $5.50–$10.50/bbl NA NA $0 Contam. soils $5.50–$10.50/bbl Same as Newpark

OBMs and cuttings $5.50–$10.50/bbl Produced water $5.50–$10.50/bbl Tank bottoms $5.50–$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon I (Transfer) Injection (solids) WBMs and cuttings $5.50–$10.50/bbl NA NA $0 Contam. soils $5.50–$10.50/bbl Same as NewparkOBMs and cuttings $5.50–$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Fourchon II (Transfer) Injection (solids) Produced water $5.50–$10.50/bbl NA NA $0 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Tank bottoms $5.50–$10.50/bbl WBMs and cuttings $5.50–$10.50/bbl Contam. soils $5.50–$10.50/bbl Same as NewparkOBMs and cuttings $5.50–$10.50/bbl Produced water $5.50–$10.50/bbl Tank bottoms $5.50–$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - ICY (Transfer) Injection (solids) WBMs and cuttings $5.50–$10.50/bbl NA NA $0 Contam. soils $5.50–$10.50/bbl Same as NewparkOBMs and cuttings $5.50–$10.50/bbl Produced water $5.50–$10.50/bbl Tank bottoms $5.50–$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Morgan City (Transfer) Injection (solids) WBMs and cuttings $5.50–$10.50/bbl NA NA $0 Contam. soils $5.50–$10.50/bbl Same as NewparkOBMs and cuttings $5.50–$10.50/bbl Produced water $5.50–$10.50/bbl Tank bottoms $5.50–$10.50/bbl LA Newpark Environmental Services - Venice (Transfer) Injection (solids) WBMs and cuttings $5.50–$10.50/bbl NA NA $0 LA O’Brian Energy Co. Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $80/hr NA NA If completion flui

increases to $2/bbalso subject to a f
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis LA Philip Environmental Services (PSC Industrial Outsourcing, Inc.) - Morgan City Facility Manifesting (sampling) NORM $50/hr Contractor cost + 15% NA $300/test Facility accepts N

consisting of tubuother equipment. the site with more the rest comes froindustrial concernmaterial arrives prolloff truck. Decaccomplished wittechnologies—higor dry reaming. Dof adherence of thcan clean the vessdegreasing water high-pressure watpneumatic needle equipment are typDepending upon destination varies

LA Philip Environmental Services (PSC Industrial Outsourcing, Inc.) - Morgan City Facility Injection Produced water $0.65/bbl $68.25/hr NA Facility separates 

disposed of througenerated include sent to landfills. LA Pool Company – Minden Injection Produced water $0.85/bbl $75/hr NA $0 Disposal fee for c

$1.70/bbl. LA Saline Injection Systems Co. Injection Produced water $0.50–$10/bbl $75/hr NA NA Fees range considbasis. 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bateman Island (Direct) Treatment Contam. soils $12.50/bbl NA NA NA Wastes other than 

in treatment cellsand salvaged for rsoluble salts are rsolids with waterwater and producthrough a collectiand typically dispcommercial saltwremaining waste iorganic contamindegradation. USLits own trucking sfrom a well site adisposal site. Howlist of approved trof its operating looperator if neededtransportation-reltrucking/transporoperator; $225 fofor forklift with ohoe with operatorinclude: $75 for cand rinse 25 bbl orehandling (25 bbhandling; $100 truwater; $300 for gverification; $3,1top shale, 1,500 b(open top shale, 1Third-party equip15%. USLL perfowaste but does noUSLL checks the 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

EC (soluble salts)

grease content, mof solids. Lower eis for less than 30for greater than 3

Treatment OBMs and cuttings $11.50/bbl Injection Produced water $7/bbl Treatment Tank bottoms $12.50/bbl Treatment WBMs and cuttings $9.50–$11.50/bbl Treatment Contam. soils $12.50/bbl Same as USLL—

Treatment OBMs and cuttings $11.50/bbl Injection Produced water $3–$7/bbl Treatment Tank bottoms $12.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Berwick (Transfer) Treatment WBMs and cuttings $9.50–$11.50/bbl NA NA NA Treatment Contam. soils $12.50/bbl Same as USLL—Treatment OBMs and cuttings $11.50/bbl Injection Produced water $7/bbl Treatment Tank bottoms $12.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Bourg (Direct) Treatment WBMs and cuttings $9.50–$11.50/bbl NA NA NA Treatment Contam. soils $14/bbl Same as USLL—Treatment OBMs and cuttings $12.75/bbl Injection Produced water $3–$7/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Cameron (Transfer) Treatment Tank bottoms $14/bbl NA NA NA 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Treatment WBMs and cuttings $10.75/bbl Treatment Contam. soils $9.50/bbl Same as USLL—Treatment OBMs and cuttings $9.50/bbl Injection Produced water $1/bbl Treatment Tank bottoms $9.50/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Elm Grove (Direct) Treatment WBMs and cuttings $7.50–$9.50/bbl NA NA NA Treatment Contam. soils $14/bbl Same as USLL—Treatment OBMs and cuttings $12.75/bbl Injection Produced water $3–$7/bbl Treatment Tank bottoms $14/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Fourchon (Transfer) Treatment WBMs and cuttings $10.75/bbl NA NA NA Treatment Contam. soils $14/bbl Same as USLL—Treatment OBMs and cuttings $12.75/bbl Injection Produced water $3–$7/bbl Treatment Tank bottoms $14/bbl LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - ICY (Transfer) Treatment WBMs and cuttings $10.75/bbl NA NA NA LA US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Mermenteau (Transfer) Injection Produced water $3/bbl NA NA NA Same as USLL—

LA US Liquids of Treatment Contam. soils $14/bbl Same as USLL—

Louisiana LP - Venice Treatment OBMs and cuttings $12.75/bbl NA NA NA 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Injection Produced water $3–$7/bbl Treatment Tank bottoms $14/bbl (Transfer) Treatment WBMs and cuttings $10.75/bbl MI Beckman Production Services Inc. Injection Produced water $1–$1.50/bbl $70/hr NA NA Well disposes of 

MI Northeastern Exploration Injection Produced water $1.30–$1.75/bbl NA NA Facility accepts o

its own trucking aoverall disposal flab analyses. MI Seiler Tank Truck Service Inc. Injection Produced water $0.50/bbl $75/hr $75/hr NA Facility manages 

MS Earth Resources Injection Produced water $0.60/bbl $90/hr NA NA Facility accepts pMS Johnie Stringer Moving and Storage Inc. Transportation Produced water NA $85/hr $85/hr NA Facility hauls in b

trucks. Contam. soils $20–$30/ton NA OBMs and cuttings $20–$30/ton Produced water $55–$75/ton Tank bottoms $55–$75/ton MS MacLand Disposal Center Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $20–$30/ton $85/hr $85/hr NA MS Radzewicz Operating Corporation Injection Produced water $0.37/bbl NA NA NA Facility handles bspecific. Trucking 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Contam. soils $38/ton The landfill accep

wastes. Constituebenzene and heavflashpoint may be landfill fee (solidamounts to $38/todoes not have liqunecessary, this senearby Pecan Govcosts range betweaddition, taxes of generator is respolaboratory work asheet. OBMs and cuttings $38/ton Produced water $38/ton Tank bottoms $38/ton MS Waste Management - Central Landfill Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $38/ton NA NA Contam. soils $38–$128/ton The landfill accepwastes. Constituebenzene and heavflashpoint may be reflects the directdewatered sludgeadditional liquefix $90/ton. In additiThe generator is rthe laboratory wosheet. MS Waste Management Inc. - Pecan Grove Sanitary Recycling and Disposal Facility Burial (landfill) OBMs and cuttings $38–$128/ton 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Produced water $38–$128/ton Tank bottoms $38–$128/ton WBMs and cuttings $38–$128/ton Contam. soils $50/ton NORM only to th

incoming solid or and only in accorregulatory requireschedule varies. Flaboratories. Rembacteria-based. Stremediation are u

OBMs and cuttings $40/bbl Tank bottoms $40/bbl MT PetroComp Bioremediation WBMs and cuttings $40/bbl NA NA ND Black Hawk Resources LLC - Hatter Injection Produced water $0.35–$0.75/bbl NA NA NA Facility charges $

is used. If producfee is $0.75/bbl. ND Black Hawk Resources LLC – Klandl Injection Produced water $0.35–$0.75/bbl NA NA NA Facility charges $is used. If producfee is $0.75/bbl. Contam. soils $15–$22/bbl Higher disposal f

waste streams wittwo sizes of truck

OBMs and cuttings $15–$22/bbl Produced water $15–$22/bbl Tank bottoms $15–$22/bbl ND Dishon Disposal Inc. - Dishon Landfill Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $15–$22/bbl $65/85/hr NA NA 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis ND Energy Equity Company - Borgen Injection Produced water $65/load NA NA NA Facility charges pND Energy Equity Company - George Tank #1 Injection Produced water $65/load NA NA NA Facility charges pND Energy Equity Company - Heckert Injection Produced water $65/load NA NA NA Facility charges pND Energy Equity Company - North Dickinson Injection Produced water $65/load NA NA NA Facility charges p

Contam. soils $35–$80/ton Disposal fee varie

content. Treatmengeneral, generator 

OBMs and cuttings $35–$80/ton Produced water $35–$80/ton Tank bottoms $35–$80/ton ND Indian Hills Disposal Inc. - Indian Hill Landfill Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $35–$80/ton $100/hr $35/hr NA ND Missouri Basin Injection Pit water $1/bbl NA Well Service, Inc. - H.T. Knudtson Injection Produced water $0.50/bbl $85/hr $85 NA ND Missouri Basin Pit water $1/bbl NA Well Service, Inc. - Zenith- Newton Unit Injection Produced water $0.50/bbl $85/hr $85 NA Contam. soils $15–$30/ton Disposal fees dep

treatment involvetreatment through 

ND Prairie Disposal Inc. - Krenz Landfill Burial (landfill) OBMs and cuttings $15–$30/ton NA NA NA 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Tank bottoms $15–$30/ton WBMs and cuttings $15–$30/ton ND Ward-Williston Pit water $0.70/bbl NA Company - Carpentier Injection Produced water $0.70/bbl $85/hr NA NA ND Ward-Williston Pit water $0.70/bbl NA Company - Martin-Williams Injection Produced water $0.70/bbl $85/hr NA NA ND Ward-Williston Pit water $0.70/bbl NA Company – Montgomery Injection Produced water $0.70/bbl $85/hr NA NA ND Ward-Williston Pit water $0.70/bbl NA Company - Pan Am Injection Produced water $0.70/bbl $85/hr NA NA ND Ward-Williston Pit water $0.70/bbl NA Company - Theodore Injection Produced water $0.70/bbl $85/hr NA NA Contam. soils $0.19/lb ($0.14–$0.40/lb) Incoming waste s

approved. Facility fluidized bed incicapable of maximof hazardous wasextremely wide vfrom TOU operatonsite monofill bustandards. Facility which triggers stafees. Trucking serfees are distance-Denver to Dear T

OBMs and cuttings $0.19/lb ($0.14–$0.40/lb) NE Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Kimball Facility Thermal treatment Tank bottoms $0.19/lb ($0.14–$0.40/lb) NA NA NA 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

WBMs and cuttings $0.19/lb ($0.14–$0.40/lb) NM Basin Disposal Inc. Injection Produced water $0.88/bbl NA NA NA This is a UIC Cla

NM C & C Landfarm Inc. Land application Contam. soils $14/yd3 NA NA NA Dirt is “reclaimedNM Chaparral Service Inc. Injection Produced water $0.40/bbl $75– $80/hr NA NA The transportation 

(transporter) and 

NM Chaparral Service Inc. Transportation Tank bottoms $75– $80/hr NA NA The transportation 

(transporter) and Recovered oil is s

Contam. soils $17/yd3 Waste spread in l

distributed, diskefee of $17/yd3 chare light in hydrocharge is $34/yd3

OBMs and cuttings $17–$34/yd3 Tank bottoms $34/yd3 NM Contract Environmental Services Inc. Land application WBMs and cuttings $17/yd3 NA NA NA Burial (landfill) Contam. soils $18/yd3 $95/hr $70/hr NA The choice of dis

(landspreading or generator. Depenthe waste stream, required. For recyfacility operates a reclamation. Land application Contam. soils $25/yd3 Burial (landfill) OBMs and cuttings $18/yd3 NM Controlled Recovery Inc. Land application OBMs and cuttings $25/yd3
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Burial (landfill) Produced water $18/yd3 Land application Produced water $25/yd3 Recycling Tank bottoms $5/bbl Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $18/yd3 Land application WBMs and cuttings $25/yd3 NM Environmental Plus Land application Contam. soils $14–$22/yd3 $72/hr NA Land farm operat

irrigation. Facility ownership. The trtruck, a licensed dcommunication, aconducts field sur

OBMs and cuttings $18/bbl–$$18/yd3 Wetter waste stre

fee, since they neblending facility. Produced water $18/bbl Tank bottoms $18/bbl–$$18/yd3 WBMs and cuttings $18/bbl–$$18/yd3 NM Envirotech Inc. Land application WBMs and cuttings $18/yd3 $82/hr NA NA Land application Contam. soils $14/yd3 Transportation pr

yd3 or bbl. Burial (landfill) OBMs and cuttings $16/yd3 Injection Produced water $0.60/bbl Recycling Tank bottoms $3.75/bbl NM Gandy Marley Inc. Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $16/yd3 NA NA NA 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis NM Goo Yea Corp. - Goo Yea Landfarm Inc. Land application Contam. soils $18/yd3 $80/hr NA NA NA NM Goo Yea Corp. - Rhino Oilfield Disposal Inc. Land application Contam. soils $18/yd3 $80/hr NA NA NA NM Jay Dan Landfarm LLC Land application Contam. soils $14/yd3 NA NA NA Bioremediation Contam. soils $20/yd3 Facility bioremed

and cuttings throudewatering, recycwater for reuse (eblended with soilis added. Transporegular vacuum ($and a king vacuum undertaken to exc

Bioremediation OBMs and cuttings $20/yd3 Land application OBMs and cuttings $20/yd3 Bioremediation Tank bottoms $20/yd3 Bioremediation WBMs and cuttings $20/yd3 NM JFJ Landfarm Inc. Land application WBMs and cuttings $20/yd3 $65– $175/hr NA $0 NM Jim’s Water Service of New Mexico Transportation Produced water NA $1–$3/bbl NA NA Offers water haul

fees increase with 

NM Lea Land Inc. Burial (landfill) Contam. soils $14–$42/ton NA NA NA Facility does not 

liquids. Facility is leachate systems. with distance. FueGenerators fill ouidentifying the hi
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

OBMs and cuttings $14–$42/ton WBMs and cuttings $14–$42/ton NM Loco Hills Landfarm LLC Land application Contam. soils $10/yd3 NA NA NA NA NM Loco Hills Water Disposal Evaporation Produced water $0.60/bbl NA NA NA NA NM O K Hot Oil Service Inc. Injection Produced water $0.50/bbl $75/hr NA NA NA NM Saunders Landfarm LLC Land application Contam. soils $10–$12/yd3 NA NA NA Facility does not 

Burial (landfill) Contam. soils $18/yd3 For produced wat

skimmed off prio

Burial (landfill) OBMs and cuttings $18/yd3 Burial (landfill) Tank bottoms $18/yd3 Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $18/yd3 NM Sundance Services Inc. Evaporation Produced water $0.40/bbl NA NA NA Land application Contam. soils $12/bbl Produced water is Land application OBMs and cuttings $12/bbl Evaporation Produced water $0.78/bbl NM T-N-T Environmental Inc. Land application WBMs and cuttings $12/bbl NA NA $0 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Contam. soils $15–$50/ton Incoming waste s

In addition to dispaccrue. Liquid wadry agents before fees for solids are Disposal fees for $50/ton. NORM aDepartment of HeEnvironmental Prdisposal approval

NORM $15–$50/ton OBMs and cuttings $15–$50/ton Produced water $15–$50/ton Tank bottoms $15–$50/ton OH American Landfill Inc. Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $15–$50/ton NA NA NA WBMs and cuttings $16–$65/ton Incoming waste s

hazardous waste efor solid waste anand $65/ton. In adcounty taxes accrsolidification and before being land

NORM $16–$65/ton Contam. soils $16–$65/ton OBMs and cuttings $16–$65/ton Produced water $16–$65/ton OH Countywide Landfill and Landfill Gas Processing Plant Burial (landfill) Tank bottoms $16–$65/ton NA NA NA 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Contam. soils $18/ton Incoming waste h

acceptance standaapplicable regulataddition to disposto $6.75/ton may containers and dudistances and volu

NORM $18/ton OBMs and cuttings $18/ton Tank bottoms $18/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Coshocton Landfill Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $18/ton NA $0.40/gal NA Contam. soils $18/ton Incoming waste h

acceptance standaapplicable regulataddition to disposto $6.75/ton may containers and dudistances and volu

NORM $18/ton OBMs and cuttings $18/ton Tank bottoms $18/ton OH Waste Management Inc. - Mahoning Landfill Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $18/ton NA $0.40/gal NA Contam. soils $18/ton Incoming waste h

acceptance standaapplicable regulataddition to disposto $6.75/ton may containers and dudistances and volu

OH Waste Management Inc. - Suburban Landfill Burial (landfill) NORM $18/ton NA $0.40/gal NA 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

OBMs and cuttings $18/ton Tank bottoms $18/ton WBMs and cuttings $18/ton Contam. soils $8–$45/yd3 Waste stream is f

The facility chargcontaminated wit

contaminated witprovides initial laanalytical conduclaboratory. OBMs and cuttings $16/bbl Produced water $25/load Tank bottoms $5/bbl OK DRD Waste Treatment Solutions Recycling WBMs and cuttings $75/load $90/hr NA NA Produced water $0.35/bbl The disposal com

the phonebook, binventory list proCorporation Com$125/load. A load 

OK Femco (Webb Dozer) Burial (pit) WBMs and cuttings $1.25/bbl $75/hr NA NA OK Fugo Services - Blizzard Injection Produced water $0.40/bbl $85/hr NA NA Fuel surcharge apOK Fugo Services - Buckner Injection Produced water $0.40/bbl $85/hr NA NA Fuel surcharge apOK Fugo Services - Mackey Injection Produced water $0.40/bbl $85/hr NA NA Fuel surcharge apOK Fugo Services - Nichols Injection Produced water $0.40/bbl $85/hr NA NA Fuel surcharge ap
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis OK Fugo Services - Quinton Injection Produced water $0.40/bbl $85/hr NA NA Fuel surcharge ap

Pit water $1.50/bbl Sister company c

Charge for semisoBobtail load (roug

OK Hamm & Phillips Service Company Burial (pit) WBMs and cuttings $1.50/bbl NA NA NA OK Nichols Water Service Inc. - A.R. Turner Injection Produced water $0.30/bbl $75/hr NA NA NA OK Nichols Water Service Inc. - Nichols 1 Injection Produced water $0.30/bbl $75/hr NA NA NA OK Nichols Water Service Inc. - Nichols 2 Injection Produced water $0.30/bbl $70/hr NA NA NA OK Nichols Water Service Inc. - Nichols 3 Injection Produced water $0.30/bbl $75/hr NA NA NA OK O’Daniel Burial (pit) WBMs and cuttings $1/bbl NA NA NA NA Injection Produced water $0.60–$0.65/bbl Quote in parenthe

for Bobtail and tr

OK Safe Earth Inc. Burial (pit) WBMs and cuttings $1.20/bbl ($100– $150/load) NA NA NA Contam. soils $10/yd3 Facility operates 

8 acres, the other evaporated, and thwith soil. High enwaste streams. OK Scott J. Inc. Oilfield Mud Disposal Burial (pit) WBMs and cuttings $1–$2/bbl NA NA NA OK T & S Mud Disposal Burial (pit) Contam. soils $1/bbl NA NA $0 Facility is an open

contaminants. So

cuttings. 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Injection Produced water $0.35/bbl Burial (pit) WBMs and cuttings $1/bbl OK Trout Disposal Injection Produced water $0.60/bbl NA NA $0 NA OK Trout Disposal Burial (pit) WBMs and cuttings $1/bbl NA NA $0 NA PA Castle Environmental Inc. Discharge (POTW) Produced water $0.025–$0.050/gal $85/hr NA NA The facility opera

wastewater proceinvolves chemicafiltration. For the process, the faciliDischarge Permit Permit #1-06-A) industrial waste fCastle Sanitation Treatment Plant. vacuum truck sertransportation. PA Hart Resource Technologies Discharge (NPDES) Produced water $0.0525/gal NA NA NA Treatment involvand removal of oiSurface water disNPDES permit is

PA Moshannon Valley Sewer Authority Discharge (POTW) Produced water $0.015/gal NA NA NA Facility receives m

and, on an intermnot strong. PA Pennsylvania Brine Treatment Discharge (NPDES) Produced water $ 0.055/gal NA NA NA Facility uses chemgenerates nonhazis land-filled offsfacility. The treatto surface waters Trucking service Charges by volum
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Discharge (NPDES) Pit water $0.045/gal Facility uses an in

pit water (containand cuttings). It cdrainage from an the produced watdrainage help remproduced water. Fsteps, the treated a river under the apermit. Any solidbottoms are heate

PA Tunnelton Liquids Co Discharge (NPDES) Produced water $0.045/gal NA NA NA TX Basic Energy Services - Duval Burial (pit) WBMs and cuttings $1–$2/bbl $73.50/hr NA NA Disposal fee rang

water-based mud

cuttings. Transpoto insurance and a 

TX Basic Energy Services – Jackson Land application WBMs and cuttings $2.50/bbl– $7.50/yd3 $73.50/hr NA NA Disposal fee rang

water-based mud

cuttings. Transpoto insurance and a 

TX Basic Energy Services - Jefferson Land application WBMs and cuttings $2.50/bbl– $7.50/yd3 $73.50/hr NA NA Disposal fee rang

water-based mud

cuttings. Transpoto insurance and a 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Contam. soils $6–$15/bbl $55–75/hr $150/job $0 The Texas dispos

cavern. Displaced injected into a perwell. The disposadepending on the delivery point of the transfer statiohigher the fee—trreason for this. Ctrucking services facilities. It does its plant to the lancompany takes titleave the gate at thowever, provide facility in Texas tTwo types of tructrucks for liquids The cost of truckidepending entireltruck must travel. the hour; $55 to $times when CCS as part of a turnkewaste price and pone lump sum $/bwhen the distance should be noted thbusiness (+/– 70%offshore or near ouses its fleet of Ubarges (~ 6,500 bwaste from its tratreatment/disposa

TX CCS Energy Services LLC - Kiva (Direct) Cavern 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Contam. soils $6–$15/bbl CCS rents the ba

places the barge(srents these barges $500/day) or add 

When CCS rents use its tugs or let for transportation cleaning fees for boxes, and others washouts may be tanks may be $10containers are usuwash water used odisposal. Typicallto the generator ureason to conduct Each of CCS ’s faits own lab. Every must be analyzed will vary slightly typical analyses a

temperature, and charged dependinperformed (e.g., cequipment time, a

OBMs and cuttings $6–$15/bbl Produced water $0.50–$3/bbl Tank bottoms $6–$15/bbl WBMs and cuttings $6–$15/bbl TX CCS Energy Contam. soils $6–$15/bbl Same as CCS —K

Services LLC - Moss Bluff Cavern OBMs and cuttings $6–$15/bbl $55– $75/hr $150/job $0 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Produced water $0.50–$3/bbl Tank bottoms $6–$15/bbl (Direct) WBMs and cuttings $6–$15/bbl Contam. soils $0.55/lb Fee assumes a sol

Incineration becowhen the waste stTransportation feGenerator conduc

OBMs and cuttings $0.45/lb Produced water $0.02–$0.20/lb Tank bottoms $0.45/lb TX Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Deer Park LP Thermal treatment WBMs and cuttings $0.45/lb NA NA NA Contam. soils $2–$7/bbl Some materials m

or further slurrificincur a fee at the 

OBMs and cuttings $2–$7/bbl Produced water $0.30–$0.40/bbl Tank bottoms $2–$7/bbl TX Coastal Caverns Inc. Cavern WBMs and cuttings $2–$7/bbl NA NA NA 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Contam. soils $25–$30/yd3 Trucks hauling liq

holding tanks. Drtreatment on dumthe material is conpugmill where it ichemicals for stabAfter the material hauled by a front-temporary holdinto fully cure befoA record of each manifest in the offor tank washing 

OBMs and cuttings $9/bbl Produced water $5/bbl Tank bottoms $12/bbl TX Eco Mud Disposal - Alice Facility Treatment WBMs and cuttings $3/bbl NA NA NA OBMs and cuttings $30/yd3 Trucking services 

company. Fees vaalternative, fees abasis ($60 h + fue

TX J. Moss Investments Inc. - Bustamante Facility Burial (pit) WBMs and cuttings $7/bbl NA NA NA TX Karon Smith Burial (pit) WBMs and cuttings $2/bbl NA NA NA NA TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Amando, Webb County School Land, Mckendrick, and Barker Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Bettie Unit, Porter/Holland, and Sebesta Earl Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Bloes, and Thornton/Henry Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - BrowNAlma, and Jeter-Farmer Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Burns and Hanselman Unit 1 Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Carthage Loop, Deberry, Panola County Disposal, Reed, and Singlton Fee Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Case Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Cashburn Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Cooper Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Dasani Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Early Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Freestone County (2) Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Gangl Unit Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Gayle (2) Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Gutierrez (2), Leonard, Medina/ Lozano, Villareal (3), and Ramirez, Maria Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flow-back. saltwater disposal licensed disposal 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Hunt/William, and Brushy Creek Gas Unit Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Hutson Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Joaquin Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Kinder/George Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Kristina Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Live Oak County Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Mckeown and Meisenheimer Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Moser (2) Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Nichols Unit Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Peterson, T.M. Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - South Texas Disposal Inc. Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Standifer Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Teeters Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Vick and Lisa Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Washington County, Clay Creek East Unit, and Linda Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 

TX Key Energy Services, Inc. - Youngblood Injection Produced water $0.75/bbl $65/hr NA NA Facility manages 

some flowback. Tsaltwater disposal licensed disposal 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis TX Lotus LLC Cavern NORM $150–$300/bbl NA $150/hr $110– $150/test Media are slurrifi

Transportation fe(vacuum truck) or 

TX Mo-Vac Service Co. Inc. - Andrews Injection Produced water $0.50/bbl $69/hr NA NA Transportation fe

16% fuel surchargand paid by the gconducts testing fceiling of maximu

TX Mo-Vac Service Co. Inc. – Ganaway Facility Burial (pit) WBMs and cuttings $3/bbl $69/hr NA NA Transportation fe

16% fuel surchargand paid by the gconducts testing fceiling of maximu

TX Newpark Environmental Services - Big Hill (Direct) Injection (solids) NORM $150–$300/bbl NA NA $0 Disposal process 

injection. Newparcustody at the tranconducted for pH 

Contam. soils $5–$10/bbl Disposal process 

injection. Fees fobased muds and cwill be at the highDisposal fees may indicated. The rantransfer-related inbarges. It takes custation. Lab analyCl. OBMs and cuttings $5–$10/bbl Produced water $5–$10/bbl Tank bottoms $5–$10/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Farnett (Direct) Injection (solids) WBMs and cuttings $5–$10/bbl NA NA $0 TX Newpark Injection Contam. soils $5.50–$10.50/bbl NA NA $0 Same as Newpark
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

OBMs and cuttings $5.50–$10.50/bbl Produced water $5.50–$10.50/bbl Tank bottoms $5.50–$10.50/bbl Environmental Services - Galveston (Transfer) (solids) WBMs and cuttings $5.50–$10.50/bbl Contam. soils $5.50–$10.50/bbl Same as NewparkOBMs and cuttings $5.50–$10.50/bbl Produced water $5.50–$10.50/bbl Tank bottoms $5.50–$10.50/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Ingleside (Transfer) Injection (solids) WBMs and cuttings $5.50–$10.50/bbl NA NA $0 Contam. soils $5–$10/bbl Same as NewparkOBMs and cuttings $5–$10/bbl Produced water $5–$10/bbl Tank bottoms $5–$10/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Andrews (Direct) Cavern WBMs and cuttings $5–$10/bbl NA NA $0 Contam. soils $5–$10/bbl Same as NewparkOBMs and cuttings $5–$10/bbl Produced water $5–$10/bbl Tank bottoms $5–$10/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Big Spring (Direct) Cavern WBMs and cuttings $5–$10/bbl NA NA $0 TX Newpark Contam. soils $5–$10/bbl Same as Newpark

Environmental Services - Cavern OBMs and cuttings $5–$10/bbl NA NA $0 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Produced water $5–$10/bbl Tank bottoms $5–$10/bbl Permian Basin - Fort Stockton (Direct) WBMs and cuttings $5–$10/bbl Contam. soils $5–$10/bbl Same as NewparkOBMs and cuttings $5–$10/bbl Produced water $5–$10/bbl Tank bottoms $5–$10/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Permian Basin - Plains (Direct) Cavern WBMs and cuttings $5–$10/bbl NA NA $0 Contam. soils $5–$10/bbl The Port Arthur t

authorized to recegas wastes. Pits astorage of processfrom the treatmenwaste. Other pits wash water from to transport waste 

OBMs and cuttings $5–$10/bbl Produced water $5–$10/bbl Tank bottoms $5–$10/bbl TX Newpark Environmental Services - Port Arthur (Transfer) Injection (solids) WBMs and cuttings $5–$10/bbl NA NA $0 TX S & D Services – Floyd Injection Produced water $0.40–$4/bbl NA NA NA Fee depends on h

each case. 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Contam. soils $6/bbl Materials are inje

Disposal fee is a foperations averagCavern disposal ioperates regular Cwells in Texas, w$0.70/bbl. OBMs and cuttings $6/bbl Tank bottoms $6/bbl TX Taylor Disposal Operating Inc. - Caverns 1 & 2 Cavern WBMs and cuttings $6/bbl $75/hr $100/hr NA TX Taylor Disposal Operating Inc. - Butler Injection Produced water $0.70/bbl $75/hr $100/hr NA Washout operatio

($50). 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Contam. soils $14/bbl NA NA NA Wastes are dried 

placed in a landfioperate its own trwastes from a wethe disposal site. a list of approved each of its operatioperator if neededtransportation-reltrucking/transporoperator; $225 fofor forklift with ohoe with operatorinclude $75 for coand rinse 25 bbl orehandling (25 bbhandling; $100 truwater; $300 for gverification; $3,1top shale, 1,500 b(open top shale, 1Third-party equip15%. USLL does incoming waste, bservice. USLL chloads: pH, EC (soscreening, oil and weight, and perce

OBMs and cuttings $12.75/bbl Tank bottoms $14/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Galveston (Transfer) Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $10.75/bbl TX US Liquids of Burial (landfill) Contam. soils $7.71/bbl NA NA NA Same as USLL—
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Non- injectable dirt water $3.25–$9.25/bbl OBMs and cuttings $7.71–$9.25/bbl Tank bottoms $10.50/bbl Louisiana LP - Rincon (Direct) WBMs and cuttings $3.25/bbl Contam. soils $6.67/bbl Same as USLL—Non- injectable dirt water $3.25–$9.25/bbl OBMs and cuttings $6.67–$8.50/bbl Tank bottoms $10.50/bbl TX US Liquids of Louisiana LP - Zapata (Direct) Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $2.61/bbl NA NA NA Contam. soils $3.50/bbl NA OBMs and cuttings $3.50/bbl Tank bottoms $3.50/bbl TX Wasson Solid Waste Disposal System LLC Cavern WBMs and cuttings $3.50/bbl NA NA NA TX Wasson Solid Waste Disposal System LLC - RCC District 8A/Yoakum County Injection Produced water $0.50/bbl NA NA NA NA 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Land application Contam. soils $7.50/yd3 Solids are mixed 

locations that do nrunoffs. Facility oThe Bobtail is ava130-bbl capacity $95/hr. Produced water is that has a polyethoffers two types oavailable for $80/truck is available 

Land application OBMs and cuttings $7.50/yd3 Evaporation Produced water $1/bbl Land application Tank bottoms $7.50/yd3 UT A-1 Tank Rental and Brine Svs. Inc. Land application WBMs and cuttings $7.50/yd3 NA NA NA Contam. soils $8/bbl Wastes go into a 

taken off and goesystem. Remaininpond embankmenunloaded into pitsby vacuum truck. OBMs and cuttings $8/bbl Produced water $0.87/bbl Tank bottoms $5/bbl UT Brennan Bottom Disposal Burial (pit) WBMs and cuttings $8/bbl NA NA 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis UT Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Aragonite Facility Thermal treatment Contam. soils $0.17–$0.20/lb NA NA Nonhazardous, no

contaminated soilusually landfilled Mountain). Howesoils are incineratpreapproved. Tru

Contam. soils $68–$80/drum Rates decrease wi

drums. Bulk rates Waste streams muTrucking fees varwaste stream musrequires special aservice can be prodistance-driven. NORM $135/ton OBMs and cuttings $68–$80/drum Tank bottoms $68–$80/drum UT Clean Harbors Environmental Services - Grassy Mountain Landfill Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $68–$80/drum NA NA Contam. soils $100/ton Cost estimates rep

Major waste streaand tank bottomsthe remaining maand remediated. OBMs and cuttings $100/ton Produced water $100/ton Tank bottoms $100/ton UT LaPoint Recycle and Storage Land application WBMs and cuttings $100/ton $100/hr NA NA 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Land application OBMs and cuttings $4/bbl Treatment prior to 

involves bacteria Major waste streaand produced watAeration process 

Evaporation Produced water $0.50–$0.75/bbl Tank bottoms $4/bbl UT MC & MC Disposal Land application WBMs and cuttings $4/bbl $80/hr NA NA UT Montezuma Well Service Evaporation Produced water $1.23/bbl $62/hr NA NA Facility handles p

Predecessor used cuttings and soilsload (80-bbl tank

UT Nick’s Disposal Pit LLC Burial (pit) Contam. soils $36/yd3 NA NA NA This small-scale f

spill-contaminate

Produced water $0.85/bbl Facility can condu

This depends on t

Tank bottoms $0.85/bbl UT R.N. Industries Evaporation WBMs and cuttings $0.85/bbl $100/hr NA WV Allied Waste Management Inc. - Sycamore Landfill Burial (landfill) Contam. soils $28.75/ton NA NA The State of Wes

analytical charactand approval of dWVDEP requires for landfills must Otherwise, wasteappropriate optionwaste stream musand pass the paint conducts profiling internal company jobs, the rate may include tipping an
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

OBMs and cuttings $28.75/ton Tank bottoms $28.75/ton WBMs and cuttings $28.75/ton WV Base Petroleum Injection Produced water $1/bbl NA NA NA Trucking/pickup 

contracted with a conducted. WV Danny Web Construction Injection Produced water $1/bbl NA NA NA Facility offers tru

contractor either oconsolidated-bid year jobs). Sampl

Contam. soils $38–$75/ton The State of Wes

analytical charactand approval of dWVDEP requires for landfills must Otherwise, wasteappropriate optionwaste streams witEnvironmental prcapability for the $38 for a waste stmore solids, and $containing less thnecessitating solidnot offer trucking a third company trolloff containerscase-specific. NOby-case basis. NORM $38–$75/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Meadowfill Landfill Burial (landfill) OBMs and cuttings $38–$75/ton NA NA NA 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Produced water $38–$75/ton Tank bottoms $38–$75/ton WBMs and cuttings $38–$75/ton Contam. soils $30–$60/ton The State of Wes

analytical charactand approval of dWV requires that landfills must be Otherwise, wasteappropriate optionsolidification pit a$30 for “solid” wwaste streams reqFacility has a haucontractors. Fees accepted on a cas

NORM $30–$60/ton OBMs and cuttings $30–$60/ton Produced water $30–$60/ton Tank bottoms $30–$60/ton WV Waste Management Inc. - Northwestern Landfill Burial (landfill) WBMs and cuttings $30–$60/ton NA NA NA Pit water $3.50/bbl Facility is in the p

for reuse. WY Anticline Disposal LLC Evaporation Produced water $3.50/bbl NA NA NA WY High Plains Resources Inc. - Parkman Reservoir Burial (pit) OBMs and cuttings $17/bbl NA NA NA Recovered produc

The lower end of production water, compressor oil pr
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Produced water $1.75–$4/bbl Tank bottoms $17/bbl WBMs and cuttings $17/bbl OBMs and cuttings $2–$8/bbl Facility uses grav

evaporation. Liniexfiltration. Truckvarying per-barremoving from ope

Produced water $1.50/bbl WY Jim’s Water Service - McBeth Pits Burial (pit) WBMs and cuttings $2–$8/bbl NA NA NA WY Joe Scott Enterprises LLC - Reed Fee 22-20 Injection Produced water $3/bbl NA NA NA This is a commer

WY Mel’s Water Service Injection Produced water $2/bbl $85/hr NA NA The facility is a c

well. Contam. soils $50–$120/yd3 WY Newpark Bioremediation in

Environmental Services Bioremediation OBMs and cuttings $50–$120/yd3 NA NA NA WY Newpark Environmental Services Discharge (NPDES) Produced water $2.50–$3.50/bbl NA NA NA Water treatment m

osmosis. WY Oilfield Disposal Services Inc. Evaporation Produced water $2.05/bbl $66/hr NA NA Transportation co

or by the mile, deThe hourly charg

WY Piney Company Evaporation Contam. soils $8.50/bbl NA NA NA Technology is spr

considerably on a depends on the “hstream. The figurvery minimum. 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

OBMs and cuttings $8.50/bbl Produced water $2.05/bbl WBMs and cuttings $8.50/bbl Contam. soils $8.50/bbl Technology is spr

considerably on a depends on the “hstream. The figurvery minimum. OBMs and cuttings $8.50/bbl Produced water $2.05/bbl WY R&G Inc. Evaporation WBMs and cuttings $8.50/bbl NA NA NA WY Samson Resources - Wamsutter Evaporation Produced water $2.02/bbl NA NA NA Treatment involv

water is air-sprayform, and heavier bottom. The brine the freshwater is t

Contam. soils $55/ton Cheaper rate appl

evaporation pond

OBMs and cuttings $55/ton Produced water $2.50–$3/bbl Tank bottoms $55/ton WY Sweetwater County Solid Waste Disposal District #1 Land application WBMs and cuttings $55/ton NA NA NA 
TABLE A.1 State Disposal Company and Facility Name Disposal Method Type of Waste Disposal Cost Transport- ation Cost Cost for Cleaning Containers Cost for Laboratory Analysis 

Contam. soils $8.50/bbl Technology is spr

considerably on a depends on the “hstream. The figurvery minimum. OBMs and cuttings $8.50/bbl Produced water $2.05/bbl WY Waste Inc. Evaporation WBMs and cuttings $8.50/bbl NA NA NA WY Yellow Creek Production and Water Disposal LLC - Carpente Injection Produced water $3/bbl NA NA NA This is a commer

a Abbreviations: Cl = chlorides; CCS = CCS Energy Services LLC; E&P = exploration and production; EC = electrical conductivity; EPA = U.S. 

Agency; H2S = hydrogen sulfide; NA = not applicable; NORM = naturally occurring radioactive material; NPDES = National Pollutant Discharg

OBM = oil-based materials; PADEP = Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; POTW = publicly owned treatment works; PSC = Outsourcing, Inc.; RCRA = Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; TCLP = toxicity characteristic leaching procedure; TDS = ?; TOU = ther

underground injection control; USCG = United States Coast Guard; USLL = US Liquids of Louisiana LP; WBM = water-based material; WVDEDepartment of Environmental Protection.