EPA Scrutinizes Texas' Oil and Gas Well Oversight Amid Environmental Concerns

The US Environmental Protection Agency will examine Texas' supervision of oil and gas wastewater injection wells due to significant concerns from environmental groups. Triggered by well blowouts and seismic activity, the review follows a petition by nine environmental groups, leading to an in-depth technical and legal evaluation by EPA Region 6.

The US Environmental Protection Agency will review Texas' oversight of wells for injecting oil and gas drilling wastewater, as well as carbon to recover oil due to 'substantial concerns' raised by environmental groups amid a spate of well blowouts, sinkholes and seismic activity.

The EPA responded to a March petition by nine Texas-based environmental and watchdog groups led by Commission Shift and Clean Water Action in a letter dated May 23 and said it will review Texas' authority to permit these "class II" well injections. "EPA Region 6 will need to evaluate through extensive and thorough technical and legal review in order to evaluate the issues raised in your petition," the letter said.

The groups announced the EPA decision on Friday.

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