House passes bill on produced-water use

Dec. 6, 2006
The US government would study expanded uses for water produced with oil and gas under legislation passed Dec. 5 by the House of Representatives.

Nick Snow
Washington Correspondent

WASHINGTON, DC, Dec. 6 -- The US government would study expanded uses for water produced with oil and gas under legislation passed Dec. 5 by the House of Representatives (OGJ, Oct. 16, p. 30).

HR 5110 would direct the US Interior secretary to identify obstacles to using produced water. It also would authorize funding for three pilot plants in Colorado, California, and Arizona or Nevada to demonstrate ways produced water can be made suitable for other uses.

The bill moves to the Senate, which would have to pass it before adjourning for the year. If the Senate doesn't act, the bill will be reintroduced early in 2007, according to a spokesman for its sponsor, Rep. Mark Udall (D-Colo.).

Contact Nick Snow at [email protected].