Saltwater disposal wells in the City of Fort Worth
The 2001 Gas Drilling Ordinance prohibited salt water wells within the city limits. When the ordinance was revised in June of 2006, salt water wells were permitted, provided the well met the restrictions in the ordinance.
The Brentwood SWD #1 operated by Chesapeake Operating Company is a non-commercial saltwater well located at 5591 E 1st Street. The gas well drilling application was submitted on August 30, 2006 and was permitted in compliance with the regulations of the Gas Well Ordinance No. 16998, Section 15-42.A.30. On October 3, 2006, city council established the first saltwater disposal well moratorium on acceptance of new saltwater disposal well applications and has subsequently extended the final moratorium date to April, 30, 2008.
The City of Fort Worth, Texas, is located in the middle of the Barnett Shale natural gas drilling trend. At this date over 1000 gas wells have been permitted within the city and over 650 are in production. Thousands of wells have already been drilled in this gas trend. As a by-product of production operations a very large volume of waste saltwater is being transported daily from the city to saltwater disposal wells. A typical gas well can produce about 100 barrels (4200 gallons) of saltwater a day.
During the moratorium period, Environmental Management has taken the lead on researching alternatives to drilling saltwater wells in the city limits. The City will be encouraging onsite recycling units to reduce truck traffic, reduce road damage and help with air quality issues.
For additional information, please contact the Gas Well section office at 817-392-2851.