On December 31,
2015, the California Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas, and
Geothermal Resources (DOGRR) submitted to the state legislature a first annual report on “Well Stimulation Treatment” (WST) for oil
and gas production. The report intends to provide information to the
legislature and public on the progress made in the implementation of WST
regulations and challenges encountered with their application.
DOGGR promulgated
WST final regulations in January 2015, which entered into effect on July 1,
2015. The final regulations replace Senate Bill No. 4 interim well stimulation
regulations that were implemented in January 1, 2014 to fill the gap period
during the regular rulemaking process. DOGGR gathered information and data
throughout the reporting period of January 1, 2014 until September 30, 2015.
DOGGR found that “during the interim period, 2,127 WST
permits were approved as complete for 15 operators” and “approximately 95% of
the approved interim WST [permits]
were for hydraulic fracturing.” Additionally, 99% of WST permits were granted
in Kern County, center California, where is located the Monterey Shale
Formation.
Written by Chloe Marie - Research Fellow
01/12/2016
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