The President of a brine processing company that wants to build a $175 million plant in Oklahoma told a State House Committee hearing on Tuesday what some oil and gas groups have done in the past few years has been a “dog and pony show” when it comes to injection wells and earthquakes in the state.
The charge came during question and answers from Brian Kalt, president of West Virginia-based Fairmont Brine Processing. He testified before a hearing held by the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources which explored saltwater and how it’s disposed of through thousands of wastewater injection wells, wells that are causing earthquakes.
“I can tell you that these operators are not going to do anything other than deep oil and gas until they’re forced to,” he told Rep. Richard Morrissette (D) of Oklahoma City. “That’s the harsh reality—-they’re not going to make a change until they’re forced to.”
As for the efforts of oil and gas groups and their defense of the industry, he said, “When it comes to water management and understanding a process like this, they’re not competent to vet these processes out, and from my experience over these past few years, it’s been a dog and pony show.”
“Let me make it clear,” started Rep. Morrissette, “it’s your opinion that none of this will happen with recycling unless they are forced to, i.e. government or court intervention, is that a fair statement?”
“That’s absolutely correct,” answered Kalt. ‘There’s just no reason to—there’s no reason to change.”
Under questioning from other lawmakers, Kalt assured them his operation would be capable of handling the massive amounts of saltwater produced from oil and gas wells. He said it could handling 60,000 barrels a day from a plant that will cost $175 million to build. He said his company would not ask for funding from the state and the cost would be $2 a barrel to cleanse the saltwater.
Fairmont Brine Processing, LLC, according to its website is a closely held, multi-disciplined service provider to the oil and gas industry. Currently, it provides services to Exploration and Production companies throughout the Appalachian Basin.
Listen to some of Rep. Morrissette’s questions of Brian Kalt.