What are the legal requirements when disposing of saltwater produced by oil and gas operations?

In North Carolina, the disposal of saltwater produced from oil and gas operations is regulated by the State Mineral Resources Laws. According to the law, saltwater produced from oil and gas operations must be sent to a permitted underground injection control well. The injection well must be drilled and built in accordance with the requirements of the law and must be able to handle the volume of saltwater produced. Furthermore, the injection well must be maintained and inspected by the State Mineral Resources Agency on a regular basis. In addition to the injection well requirements, operators must follow all federal or state environmental regulations pertaining to the disposal of saltwater. This includes disposing of the saltwater in a manner that does not cause harm to the environment and that does not lead to pollution or contamination of surface or groundwater. Furthermore, operators must take measures to ensure the saltwater is not discharged into any public streams or waterways. Finally, operators must keep detailed records of all saltwater disposal activities and must obtain permits from state and local governments if required. The permits must state the purpose, volume, and location of the disposal. Operators must also notify the state or local governments of any changes in the disposal plans prior to implementation. Failure to adhere to any of these requirements may result in significant fines or other sanctions from the state.

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What are the legal requirements when disposing of saltwater produced by oil and gas operations?

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