The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) and the Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) have launched an effort to disseminate information on chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) Chairman Victor G. Carrillo announced.

In September GWPC called for a complete disclosure of the chemicals (see Daily GPI, Sept. 30).

Both IOGCC and GWPC will work with the U.S. Department of Energy to refine the state-based chemical disclosure system. Leslie Savage, RRC chief geologist, as a member of both the IOGCC and GWPC, will work on the project on behalf of the RRC.

Carrillo, a representative to the IOGCC, said the purpose of the Chemical Registry for Hydraulic Fracturing, which is expected to take one year and approximately $3 million to complete, is to create and maintain a national chemical registry for hydraulic fracturing that is user-friendly and available to the public, first responders and emergency personnel.

“Although hydraulic fracturing fluids are generally composed of water and sand with relatively small volumes of additives, disclosure of the chemicals used during the process will enhance public awareness and confidence,” Carrillo said. “While some energy companies have voluntarily reported information regarding these chemicals on their websites [see Daily GPI, Aug. 13], a more desirable solution is a centralized site where reliable and current information about individual wells can be easily accessed.” While reporting would be voluntary, most energy companies are expected to actively participate in the program, he said.