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Standards and Regulations

Stringent standards and operating procedures for natural gas drilling protect citizens and the environment.  They are enforced by the drilling companies and the government through strict regulations and oversight. 

Standards

The American Petroleum Institute (API) is a trade association representing 400 member companies across the oil and natural gas industry.  For more than 85 years, API, in conjunction with its member companies, has developed and refined engineering standards and practices for all aspects of oil and natural gas production.  Many of these standards have been adopted as references for industry performance, and incorporated into state and federal regulations.  These standards, considered industry practice, cover all aspects of Marcellus Shale production, including site preparation, drilling, well construction, well integrity, water use management and surface environmental considerations. 

Companies producing natural gas from the shale formations adhere to these strict standards when planning for and operating their wells.  Many of these companies are also the ones who developed the standards, and have been using them in production for years, if not decades.  Since hydraulic fracturing began in the 1940's, more than 1 million wells have been drilledusing this technology.  The companies that continue to follow these strict standards and regulations will protect the safety and health of all citizens and the environment.  API and its member companies also continually monitor and update these standards to ensure operational safety and efficiency.

Regulations

The State of Ohio follows federal, state and local regulations to monitor the entire operation of producing natural gas.  Statutes are in place to regulate hydraulic fracturing and protection of underground sources of drinking water (USDW).

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DMRM) has primary regulatory authority over oil and gas drilling activity in Ohio, including rules for well construction, siting, design and operation, including that of hydraulic fracturing.   Additionally, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s regulatory authority focuses on ensuring wastewater from drilling activity is properly managed to protect water resources.

These agencies work together to ensure safe development of Ohio's natural resources.  Due to the anticipation that Marcellus and Utica Shale development will occur, the DMRM, Ohio EPA and Ohio Department of Health (ODH) have already initiated discussions on drilling, water use, waste management and infrastructure.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has spent the last few years building an infrastructure and putting regulations in place to monitor Marcellus Shale development.  According to the Commonwealth's former Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), John Hanger, "State officials, energy companies and the operators of treatment plants insist that with the right safeguards in place, the practice poses little or no risk to the environment or to the hundreds of thousands of people who rely on those rivers for drinking water."

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