Region 8
Underground Injection Control
National Information
Regional Information
In a cooperative effort between EPA, state and tribal governments, the UIC Program works toward protecting underground sources of drinking water (USDW) from contamination by regulating the construction and operation of injection wells. Underground injection wells are primarily used to dispose of wastes into the subsurface and have the potential to adversely affect USDWs. Five classes of wells are defined according to the type of waste that is disposed and where the waste is injected. Detailed information on regulations can be found at EPA Regulations.
A brief description of the well types:
Class I: Industrial and Municipal Wells that Inject Beneath Lowermost USDW
Class II: Associated with Oil and Gas Production
Class III: Associated with Mineral Recovery
Class IV: Wells Injecting Hazardous Waste into USDWs (prohibited)
Class V: Injection Wells Not Included in Other Classes (typically Shallow Disposal Systems)
UIC Public Notices and Announcements
Powertech (USA) Inc.'s Dewey Burdock UIC Class III Permit Application
Dewey Burdock Application (PDF 12.7MB)
Appendices
Plates
Public Notice of UIC Class II Permit-related Actions
In accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR Section 124.10, EPA’s Region 8 UIC Program is soliciting public comment on issuance of its permit-related actions under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act and UIC Program regulations. These actions, noted in the table below, would authorize the injection of fluids into the subsurface for the purpose of either enhancing the production of oil and gas resources or disposal of produced water associated with these operations, and may include a proposed Aquifer Exemption of the Proposed Injection Zone(s), per 40 CFR Section 146.4(b)(1). If an Aquifer Exemption is proposed, the portion(s) of the aquifer(s) to be exempted and the basis for EPA’s proposed exemption is included.
Comments are requested for no less than 30 calendar days from the last date EPA publishes its announcement of each action. All comments received by the end of the comment period will be considered in the formulation of any final decisions. If no comments are received by the comment deadline, the Regional Administrator of EPA Region 8 intends to issue a Final UIC Permit and/or Aquifer Exemption. EPA will hold a public hearing if the response to a specific action indicates significant public interest or if requested. For additional information on a specific action, please call or email the EPA contact person listed below.
Class II permit related activities and their respective public comment deadlines
All written comments and requests for additional information should be addressed to the EPA contact person at the following address:
U.S. EPA Region 8 (8P-W-GW, UIC)
1595 Wynkoop Street
Denver, CO 80202-1129
Complete permit applications and related documents are also available for review and reproduction at this address from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, federal holidays excluded. To make an appointment, please call the EPA contact.
UIC Class V Draft Permit Modification – American Shale Oil, LLC (AMSO), Rio Blanco County, CO
Permit No: CO52154-08524
The EPA Region 8 UIC Program is soliciting public comment on the issuance of a UIC Permit Modification for a Class V Experimental Technology Well. The American Shale Oil, LLC (AMSO) has been issued a permit on January 4, 2011, to demonstrate technologies capable of developing oil shale resources. During installation of the aerogel insulation, compaction of the insulation occurred at the shallower sections of the well resulting in a section of the well that may not provide the needed insulation to prevent heating of the formation near the well bore to meet the maximum allowable temperature requirements in the permit. The purpose of the temperature monitoring along the wellbore is to ensure that the high temperatures do not cause kerogen pyrolysis within the oil shale and therefore potential contamination of underground sources of drinking waters (USDWs). AMSO is requesting to modify the temperature monitoring requirements for the shallower intervals, from 350 feet depth to surface, where oil shale may not be present at all or exists at much lower concentrations than used to develop the permit temperature limits.
- Public Notice (PDF 13KB)
- Draft Permit (PDF 101KB)
- Draft Statement of Basis (PDF 35KB)