Analyst: EPA’s hydraulic fracturing investigations can have significant impact

Surging use of advanced hydraulic fracturing technology, especially in areas not accustomed to oilfield activity, has given rise to studies on the technology’s impact on water. Such investigations are “potentially highly significant to industry and, therefore, conclusions must be supported by good science,” said Daniel B. Stephens, principal hydrologist and chairman of the board of DBS&A of Albuquerque. Stephens visited Midland recently to discuss his analysis of the controversy surrounding the Environmental Protection Agency’s groundwater monitoring in the Pavilllion, Wyoming natural gas field. He said the controversy shows that such investigations need to be carried out with a clearly and carefully defined objective, the process needs to be carefully carried out, stakeholders need to become involved, transparency and making the data available is important, as is peer review. “The impact is huge — you don’t want to cavalierly go around making statements,” he said. Working groups should be formed to study similar issues, he said. Those groups should be comprised of local regulators, state regulatory agencies like the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Railroad Commission, Texas Water Development Board, local ranchers and local industries. “Then they can invite the EPA,” he said...more