American Petroleum Institute

Environmental Guidance Document Onshore solid Waste Management in Exploration and Production Operations - FIRST EDITION
 N EGD ONSHORE

Annotation

FOREWORD

A. This document, prepared by the API Production Waste Issue Group, is comprised of recommendations for the environmentally-sound management of solid waste resulting from the exploration and production of oil and gas. Guidance is provided for the management of drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes associated with the operation of:

1) Gas Plants

2) Field Facilities

3) Drilling

4) Workovers

This publication is under the jurisdiction of the API Production Department Committee on Environmental Conservation.

B. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), enacted in 1976, requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate the management of solid waste. Existing RCRA Subtitle D regulations for nonhazardous wastes establish minimum federal criteria and require states to submit solid waste management plans for EPA approval.

In addition, a Regulatory Determination mandated by Congress dated June 30, 1988 stated EPA's intent to promulgate more tailored criteria for nonhazardous exploration and production wastes. This Regulatory Determination called for a three-pronged approach aimed at filling gaps in existing State and Federal regulatory programs by:

1) "Improving Federal programs under existing authorities in Subtitle D of RCRA, the Clean Water Act, and Safe Drinking Water Act;

2) Working with States to encourage changes in their regulations and enforcement to improve some programs; and,