Mr. Erik Milito - The House Committee on Natural Resources ...

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FOR ONSHORE OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION OPERATIONS AND LEASES 35
Filtration, centrifugation, evaporation, and flocculation are examples of reduction techniques that can reduce the
volume of the actual waste that must be disposed. <strong>The</strong> toxicity of certain wastes can be reduced by chemical
treatment, thermal treatment, and biodegradation before disposal.
8.6.5 Disposal
<strong>The</strong> final option for management of a waste, after source reduction, recycling, and treatment options have been
considered and incorporated, is disposal. <strong>The</strong> operator should take into consideration the long-term fate of the waste
and its constituents before disposal. Considerations that should be evaluated when choosing either an on-site or an
off-site commercial disposal method are as follows:
a) general site review of the topographical and geologic features,
b) groundwater review to determine the presence of groundwater and aquifers,
c) area weather patterns to estimate rainfall and flooding potential,
d) general soil conditions,
e) natural drainage areas,
f) identification of environmentally sensitive conditions,
g) air quality.
<strong>The</strong>se criteria will help determine a waste disposal option that protects human health and the environment and limits
future liability for the operator. Examples of waste disposal options that can be considered are:
a) landspreading,
b) roadspreading,
c) on-site burial,
d) on-site pits,
e) annular injection,
f) underground injection wells,
g) regulated and permitted discharge of fluid,
h) incineration,
i) off-site commercial facility.