Perspectives on Hydraulic Fracturing Panel (Industry/Environmental/State Regulatory)
Presented on Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Greater use of horizontal wells and the hydraulic fracturing technology has the potential to significantly expand domestic natural gas and oil supplies, however; with this enhanced production is a perceived increased possibility for groundwater contamination. What steps should be taken to protect the groundwater and drinking water supplies? What are the best practices, proper procedures, and appropriate regulatory oversight to preventing impacts to drinking water resources? Topics for discussion by this panel include:
• Disclosure of chemicals used in the oil or gas well hydraulic fracturing process to the appropriate governmental entity and the public
• Proper construction and regular inspection of oil or gas production wells to prevent the migration of natural and injected fluids that could endanger current or future drinking water sources
• Best management practices or appropriate regulations to address surface spills and waste management related to hydraulic fracturing
• Development of water supply plans in areas where water is scarce or the potential for water use conflicts exist
• Monitoring, financial responsibility, and liability provisions related to oil and gas development
• Sources of stray gas in water wells: naturally occurring, hydraulic fracturing or a problem rooted in historic practices.
Presenters:
Leslie Savage
Oil & Gas Division, Railroad Commission of Texas, Austin, TX
Leslie Savage is the Chief Geologist for the Oil and Gas Division of the Railroad Commission of Texas. She currently is responsible for coordinating rulemaking for the division, coordinating with federal and other state agencies, and water quality certification of federal permits. Savage has represented the Commission in several state and national organizations, including the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, and currently is on the board of the national Ground Water Protection Council. Savage graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1982 with a B.S. in Geology.
Michael Paque
Ground Water Protection Council, Oklahoma City, OK
As Executive Director of the Ground Water Protection Council for 30 years, Mike Paque promotes the protection and conservation of groundwater resources for all beneficial uses. He has directed technical studies, including conjunctive/beneficial use of produced water and State Oil and Gas Regulations Designed to Protect Water, and edited Modern Shale Gas Development in the United States: A Primer. He oversees the development of Risk Based Data Management System and FracFocus, and the GWPC's Ground Water Report to the Nation. He currently serves on several Oklahoma boards and commissions and on national and federal work groups and committees.
Robert Patterson
Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, Springtown, TX
Bob Patterson is currently the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District General Manager. He oversees a four county groundwater conservation district overlying the Trinity Aquifer and the Barnett Shale formation. Patterson also has been extensively involved for more than 20 years in water rights and conservation in the Southwest and West. He is a former Director-At-Large of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Patterson holds a B.S. from New Mexico State University, an M.S. from Texas Technological University, and a D.V.M. from Washington State University.
Luke Metzger
Environment Texas, Austin, TX
Luke Metzger is the Founder and Director of Environment Texas, a statewide, citizen-funded advocate for clean air, clean water and open spaces. Over the last fifteen years, Metzger has campaigned to win stronger protections for our environment. He regularly testifies before the Texas Legislature. He is the author or co-author of several reports including Texas Natural Areas at Risk
He currently serves as a Commissioner on the Austin Resource Management Commission and previously served on the Pollution Prevention Advisory Committee of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Open Records Steering Committee of the Office of the Attorney General.
Jeffrey A. Johnson, Ph.D., PG
NewFields, Houston, TX
Jeffrey A. Johnson has over 25 years of professional experience in natural resource assessment, site characterization, remedial operations, and technical analyses. He has worked on various projects throughout North America for major petroleum corporations, legal firms, manufacturing companies, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For the past 10 years, he has worked extensively in the characterization and remediation of LNAPL and DNAPL sites. Johnson is an Associate with NewFields. He holds a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of California, Berkeley, and is a Certified and Registered Professional Geologist and a Licensed Remediation Specialist.
