83R589 SMH-D
By: King of Zavala H.B. No. 2992
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the reuse, discharge, or disposal of fluid produced
from certain oil or gas wells on which a hydraulic fracturing
treatment has been performed.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 91, Natural Resources
Code, is amended by adding Section 91.1016 to read as follows:
Sec. 91.1016. REUSE, DISCHARGE, OR DISPOSAL OF FLUID
PRODUCED FROM HYDRAULICALLY FRACTURED WELL. (a) Flowback and
produced water from an oil or gas well on which a hydraulic
fracturing treatment has been performed using groundwater may not
be disposed of in an oil and gas waste disposal well unless the
fluid is incapable of being treated to a degree that would allow the
fluid to be:
(1) used to perform a hydraulic fracturing treatment
on another oil or gas well;
(2) used for another beneficial purpose; or
(3) discharged into or adjacent to water in the state.
(b) The commission shall adopt rules establishing standards
for determining whether flowback and produced water described by
this section may be disposed of in an oil and gas waste disposal
well.
SECTION 2. The Railroad Commission of Texas shall adopt
rules under Section 91.1016, Natural Resources Code, as added by
this Act, not later than December 1, 2013.
SECTION 3. Section 91.1016, Natural Resources Code, as
added by this Act, applies only to the disposal of flowback and
produced water in an oil and gas waste disposal well on or after the
date the rules adopted by the Railroad Commission of Texas under
that section take effect. The disposal of flowback and produced
water in an oil and gas waste disposal well before the date the
rules take effect is governed by the law as it existed immediately
before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in
effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.