Shreveport Times: Bill Would Place Restrictions to Oil and Gas Operations

Shreveport Times, Vickie Welborn
Published June 15, 2009

The shale boom could go bust if proposed legislation before Congress passes, adding federal regulations that could be costly and time-consuming to the natural gas industry, including operators in the Haynesville Shale. Advertisement The new federal level of regulation — aimed at environmental concerns — could eventually impact consumers, who would ultimately bear the extra costs, opponents say. "It would have tremendous impact on the Haynesville," said Don Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association. "If this bill were to pass, it would increase the cost of overrides $100,000 a well. More importantly, the time to get a permit would take months to accomplish. ... Now it is a matter of weeks." He later added, "Time is money in industry." The bill is called The FRAC Act — Fracking Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act. Fracking refers to the term hydraulic fracturing, which is used to reach gas in formations like the Haynesville Shale. The bill would no longer exempt hydraulic fracturing from the Safe Drinking Water Act and would require the industry to disclose the chemicals used in the process. The bill is in hearings before the Natural Resources Committee. U.S. Rep. John Fleming, R-Minden, is a member. "In most cases, we have no idea what our oil and gas companies are injecting into wells. They are not required to disclose contents — and they don't," said Dusty Horwitt, senior public lands analyst with the Environmental Working Group, based in Washington, D.C. Click here to rad the entire article: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20090614/SPECIALPROJECTS02/906140...