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Oil and Gas Pollution

In areas where oil and gas development is prevalent, air, water and soil resources can become contaminated with oil and gas wastes and byproducts. Read about the primary pathways for contamination.

Citizens commonly report that drilling and production activities contaminate water wells, surface waters and soils surrounding well sites; and that air emissions from drilling sites, well heads, compressor stations, pipelines and other oil and gas field infrastructure contribute to air quality concerns.

Water Pollution

• Hydraulic fracturing is a practice that may involve the injection of known toxic chemicals into or close to drinking water supplies.
• Storm water runoff during construction or runoff from established well pads can introduce sediment and toxic chemicals into nearby rivers and streams
• Storage and disposal of drilling and production wastes in pits can contaminate groundwater and surface waters

Air Pollution

• A variety of air contaminants are emitted throughout the oil and gas development process. If you think oil and gas production does not affect air quality, THINK AGAIN.

Soil Pollution

• Oil and gas industry wastes, which may contain petroleum hydrocarbons, metals, naturally occurring radioactive materials, salts and toxic chemicals, have the potential to cause soil pollution, and prevent the growth of vegetation.
• Produced water, which may contain high concentrations of salts and other contamiants, is often stored in pits or disposed of in evaporation ponds. Spills of produced water can kill vegetation and sterilize soils.
• Contaminants that enter the soil do not necessarily stay put. They can move down through the soil and contaminate groundwater, or up through the soil and be released to air. Learn about the subsurface transport of oilfield wastes.

For more information:

• Chapter 1 of Oil and Gas at Your Door? A landowner's guide to oil and gas development contains general information on contaminants associated with oil and gas development.
• OGAP summary of Colorado oil and gas industry spills.
• Read about oil and gas chemicals and health

OGAP Fact Sheets

• Oil and Gas Pollution: Contaminants associated with the various stages of oil and gas development
• Think Again: Air pollution from oil and gas facilities
• Pits: Contamination and regulation issues
• Fracking: a brief look at the issues

Other Sources of Data

• Groundwater contamination from pits, spills and other releases in New Mexico (New Mexico Oil Conservation Division data - pdf or Excel format)
• OGAP Summary of NM Groundwater Contamination from Oil and Gas Facilities and Pits
• Contamination from pits, spills and other releases in Oklahoma

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