Texas lawmakers are debating new protections for companies that treat and transfer wastewater from oil and gas wells for non-oilfield purposes. The move comes as the state looks for new ways to manage water scarcity and drought conditions.
Here’s a closer look at what’s unfolding:
- “Produced water” refers to the large volumes of wastewater generated during oil and gas extraction, especially in West Texas. This water is typically reused within drilling or injected deep underground.
- House Bill 49, brought forward by Representative Drew Darby, proposes legal protections for oil companies, pipeline operators, and landowners who treat and transfer this water for uses such as farming or environmental recharge.
- The bill has already passed the Texas House and is now under consideration in the Senate.
- Supporters of the bill say that without clear legal protection, companies are hesitant to treat produced water for broader use. They worry about liability once the water leaves the oilfield.
- The Permian Basin Petroleum Association, a key industry group, has publicly supported the legislation, calling it necessary for future investment in water treatment infrastructure.
- Texas leaders, including Governor Greg Abbott, have made long-term water management a legislative focus this year, looking beyond traditional sources to address growing water pressures.
- The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is developing rules to oversee how treated produced water is discharged and reused outside the oilfield, focusing on safety and oversight.
- Environmental groups have raised concerns about possible contamination, citing limited data on the full scope of treatment effectiveness and the range of chemicals in produced water.
- The Texas Produced Water Consortium, formed in 2021, is running pilot projects to evaluate how safely and effectively produced water can be treated for use beyond drilling.
If passed, this bill could mark a shift in how Texas manages both energy byproducts and water access.
For the full update, read the original post: Oil companies want protection if Texas reuses fracking water.
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