State Regulations: Colorado
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), a division of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), regulates oil and gas activities in Colorado. The COGCC has broad statutory authority with respect to impacts on any air, water, soil, or biological resources resulting from oil and gas operations. The COGCC implements the state ground water standards and classifications as they relate to oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) activities. The COGCC has jurisdiction for all Class II injection wells, except those on Indian lands. The COGCC has jurisdiction for the management of all E&P wastes except at commercial disposal facilities. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) administers the environmental protection laws related to air quality, waste discharge to surface water, and commercial disposal facilities.
Contact
Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 801
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 894-2100 (phone)
(303) 894-2109 (fax)
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Drive, South
Denver, CO 80246-1530
(303) 692-3066 (phone)
(303) 759-5355 (fax)
Produced Water Management Practices and Applicable Regulations
The regulations of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) can be accessed online through the COGCC home page by selecting Rules on the left navigation menu. The COGCC's rules governing the management of exploration and production waste are contained in the 900 series. The COGCC's rules governing enhanced recovery projects are contained in the 400 series. Otherwise, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has promulgated regulations on water quality and supply, solid waste, and hazardous waste.
- 900 Series: Exploration and Production Waste Management — The definition of this type of waste basically follows the federal exclusion from the definition of hazardous waste for oil and gas exploration and production waste. Management Options for Produced Water (Rule 907c) include the following.
- (1) Treatment of produced water — Produced water shall be treated prior to placement in a production pit to prevent crude oil and condensate from entering the pit.
- (2) Produced water disposal through:
- A. Injection into a properly permitted Class II well;
- B. Evaporation/percolation in a properly permitted lined or unlined pit;
- C. Disposal at permitted commercial facilities;
- D. Disposal by roadspreading on lease roads outside sensitive areas for produced waters with less than 5,000 mg/l TDS when authorized by the surface owner (Roadspreading shall not result in pooling or runoff of produced waters and the adjacent soils shall meet the allowable concentrations in Table 910-1.); or
- E. Discharging into state waters, in accordance with the Water Quality Control Act and the implementing rules and regulations. Produced water discharged may be put to beneficial use in accordance with applicable state statutes and regulations governing the use and administration of water.
- (3) Produced water reuse and recycling — Produced water may be reused for enhanced recovery, drilling, and other uses in a manner consistent with existing water rights and in consideration of water quality standards and classifications established by the Water Quality Control Commission for waters of the state, or any point of compliance established by the Director.
- (4) Mitigation — Water produced during operation of an oil or gas well may be used to provide an alternate domestic water supply to surface owners within the oil or gas field, in accordance with all applicable laws, including, but not limited to, obtaining the necessary approvals from the Water Quality Control Commission for constructing a new "waterworks." The water produced shall be to the benefit of the surface owner within the oil and gas field and may not be sold for profit or traded.
- 400 Series: Enhanced Recovery Projects
- Approval — All operations must be authorized.
- Casing and Cementing — Wells used for injection of fluids into the producing formation shall be cased with safe and adequate casing or tubing so as to prevent leakage, and shall be so set or cemented that damage will not be caused to oil, gas, or fresh water resources.
- Notice if Commencement and Discontinuance of Injection Operations — Operators must notify the COGCC immediately upon commencement and within ten days of discontinuance of all injection operations.
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