Oil and gas conservation commission-regulation of pits.

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not provide details on enforcement mechanisms or penalties for non-compliance, leaving these aspects unclear.

Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Rules for Pits

This law changes how the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission can regulate noncommercial reserve pits, produced water retention pits, and emergency overflow pits that are not on a lease or unit area.

What This Bill Does

• Amends the authority of the commission to regulate noncommercial reserve pits, produced water retention pits, and emergency overflow pits used solely for storage, treatment, and disposal of drilling fluids, produced waters, emergency overflow wastes, or other oil field wastes associated with maintenance and operation of oil and gas exploration and production wells.
• Expands regulation to include these pits that are not located on a lease, unit, or communitized area.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
• Oil and gas companies operating in Wyoming

Terms To Know

noncommercial reserve pits

Pits used for storing oil field waste that are not meant for commercial use.

produced water retention pits

Pits designed to hold wastewater from oil and gas production.

emergency overflow pits

Temporary storage areas used during emergencies when other containment methods are overwhelmed.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law does not specify how the commission will enforce these new regulations.
• It is unclear what penalties oil and gas companies might face for non-compliance with the new rules.

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 25LSO-0039

Bill No.:

SF0015

Effective:

7/1/2025

LSO No.:

25LSO-0039

Enrolled Act No.:

SEA No. 0001

Chapter No.:

17

Prime Sponsor:

Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development Interim Committee

Catch Title:

Oil and gas conservation commission-regulation of pits.

Has Report:

No

Subject:

Amending the authority of the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to regulate reserve pits.

Summary/Major Elements:

Current law grants the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission the authority to regulate noncommercial reserve pits, produced water retention pits, and emergency overflow pits that are located on a lease, unit or communitized area.

This act authorizes the Commission to regulate noncommercial reserve pits, produced water retention pits, and emergency overflow pits that are not located on a lease, unit, or communitized area.

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

25LSO-0039

ORIGINAL Senate

File No
.
SF0015

ENROLLED ACT NO. 1,

SENATE

SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2025 General Session

AN ACT relating to oil and gas; amending the authority of the Wyoming oil and gas conservation commission to regulate noncommercial reserve pits, produced water retention pits and emergency overflow pits as specified; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 30
‑
5
‑
104(d)(vi)(A) is amended to read:

30
‑
5
‑
104.

Oil and gas conservation commission; powers and duties; investigations; rules and regulations.

(d)

The commission has authority:

(vi)

To regulate, excluding discharges permitted under the national pollutant discharge elimination system, the:

(A)

Location, construction, operation and reclamation of all noncommercial reserve pits and produced water retention and emergency overflow pits used solely for the storage, treatment and disposal of drilling fluids, produced waters, emergency overflow wastes or other oil field wastes associated with the maintenance and operation of oil and gas exploration and production wells
on a lease, unit or communitized area
in such a manner as to prevent the contamination of the waters of the state;

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2025
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.

Chief Clerk

1