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E&P Waste Services

for Odessa, TX; Midland, TX; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; San Angelo, TX; Abilene, TX; & the Surrounding Areas

E&P waste refers to wastes generated from the exploration and production of oil and gas, including drilling fluids, cuttings, produced water, and tank sludge. While some E&P wastes are exempt from regulation as hazardous waste, they still require proper management to protect human health and the environment. Management practices can include recycling, landfilling, injection, or other methods, depending on the waste type and state regulations.

Types of E&P Waste

  • Drilling and Completion: Drilling fluids (muds) and cuttings
  • Production: Produced water, which is water that comes up with oil and gas, and fluids from well stimulation like hydraulic fracturing
  • Other: Used stimulation fluids, hydrocarbon-bearing soil, pipe scale, and storage tank sludge uniquely associated with oil and gas activity in Texas

Regulatory Status

  • Exempt From Hazardous Waste Regulations: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that many E&P wastes are exempt from federal hazardous waste regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). This is because they are generated in large quantities and have a relatively low degree of hazardousness compared to other industrial wastes.
  • State-Specific Regulations: States have their own specific regulations for managing E&P wastes, which can vary.
  • Non-Exempt Wastes: Some E&P wastes are not exempt and must be managed according to hazardous waste rules. For example, a mixture of an exempt E&P waste with a non-exempt waste can become a non-exempt hazardous waste if the mixture exhibits hazardous characteristics like corrosivity or toxicity. 
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Management Practices

  • Recycling and Recovery: Services can recover and recycle E&P waste streams into reusable materials.
  • Disposal: Traditional disposal methods include landfilling or injection.
  • Other Services: Disposal of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in disposal wells permitted for such wastes.


For all the E&P waste needs of operations in Odessa, TX; Midland, TX; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Houston, TX; Lubbock, TX; Abilene, TX; San Angelo, TX; eTech Environmental & Safety Solutions is the company to call. We have plenty of experience, as well as a vast knowledge of all rules and regulations governing E&P waste materials. Give us a call to get started.