Being a Water Quality Specialist (WQS)

for the Office of Oil and Gas Management

Rachael Carson State Office Building

August 5, 2014

• Where and when do

you think the first oil

well was drilled?

Early Oil & Gas Wells

http://explorepahistory.com/kora/files/1/2/1-2-33C-25-ExplorePAHistory-a0b1x4-a_349.jpg

347 AD in China

• 800’ deep using bits

attached to bamboo

drilling rods

First Known Oil Wells

http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/1/6/9/4/9/ar125080944794961.jpg

http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/6/2/7/6/4/ar125080934746726.jpg

1859 Titusville, PA

• Colonel Edwin Drake

– Pennsylvania Rock Oil Company

– 69.5’ Deep

– Produced ~ 20bbl per day (~840 gal)

First Commercial Oil Well

http://members.tripod.com/edward_weigert/eldrake.jpg

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DEP's Office of Oil and Gas Management is responsible for the statewide oil and gas

conservation and environmental programs to facilitate the safe exploration,

development, recovery of Pennsylvania's oil and gas reservoirs in a manner that will

protect the commonwealth's natural resources and the environment. The office

develops policy and programs for the regulation of oil and gas development and

production pursuant to the Oil and Gas Act, the Coal and Gas Resource Coordination

Act, and the Oil and Gas Conservation Law; oversees the oil and gas permitting and

inspection programs; develops statewide regulation and standards; conducts training

programs for industry; and works with the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission

and the Technical Advisory Board.

Office of Oil and Gas Management

As a Water Quality Specialist in the Office of Oil

and Gas Management you are tasked to perform

routine inspections of oil and gas locations,

investigate complaints, provide notification of

violations to operators, take water samples and

enforce all applicable laws, regulations and acts.

What does a WQS do?

• Environmental Trainee:

– A Bachelor's Degree with major course work in an appropriate

physical or biological science or an closely related

environmental field.

• Water Quality Specialist:

– Successful completion of the training program for the

Environmental Trainee; or any equivalent combination of

experience and training which affords the applicant the required

knowledge and abilities.

Educational Requirements

• Oil and Gas Conservation Law (1961)

• Chapter 79 – Oil and Gas Conservation (1971)

• Chapter 91 – Pollution Prevention (1971)

• Chapter 102 – Erosion Control (1972)

• Dam Safety and Encroachments Act (1978)

• Solid Waste Management Act (1980)

• Chapter 105 – Dam Safety and Waterway Management (1980)

• Coal and Gas Resource Coordination Act (1984)

• Clean Streams Law (1987)

• Chapter 78 – Oil and gas Wells (1987)

• Oil and Gas Act (2012, which superseded the OGA of 1984)

Regulations enforced

Siting the well

Building a Location

Drilling the Well

Fracing the Well

Restoring the Well Site

Producing the Well

Why do we need to perform inspections?

• Act 13 Required Electronic Notice:

– Spud, Drilling Resumption, Stimulation, Pressure Test,

Abandonment/Plugging

• Waiver Request

• Spill Incident

• Complaint

• Continued Enforcement

What Can Trigger an Inspection

1. Receive an Inspection Trigger

2. Locate Well & Plan Route

3. Locate E&S Plan (on-site)

4. Perform Inspection

5. Record Inspection

6. Mail Inspection Report

Routine Inspection Process

Spud notices are received via e-mail.

Step 1: Receive an Inspection Trigger

Step 2: Locate Well & Plan Route

Step 3: Locate E&S Plan (on-site)

Step 4: Perform Inspection

• Compare as built conditions to E&S Plan.

• Look for violations of laws and or regulations.

• Inspect BMPs for adequateness.

Step 5: Record Inspection

Step 6: Mail Inspection Report

• All inspection reports are printed in duplicate signed and then a copy is mailed to the operator and a copy is placed in the regional file.

Questions ?

Chad Meyer Water Quality Specialist Spvr. DEP Office of Oil and Gas Mgt. Knox District Office 310 Best Ave, Knox PA 16232 814.797.1191 www.depweb.state.pa.us