Use of diesel in wells probed

Colorado oil and gas officials have launched an investigation into the use of diesel fuel in the state as a component in the fluid used by drillers to enhance well production. "Frac fluid" is sent down a well under pressure to break the rock strata to release more oil and gas in a process called hydraulic fracturing. On Jan. 31, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce said its investigation had found oil and gas companies had injected 32.2 million gallons of diesel fuel or fluids containing diesel fuel into the ground in 19 states between 2005 and 2009. In Colorado, 1.3 million gallons of fluids containing diesel fuel were used, according to a letter sent to the Environmental Protection Agency by three Democratic committee members, including Rep. Diana DeGette of Denver. The practice, the legislators said, may have violated the Safe Drinking Water Act. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which oversees drilling, asked the congressional committee for the Colorado data...more