American Oil and Gas Reporter - February 2015 - 18

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information to make informed spill
response decisions when evaluating the
use of specific products on oil
discharges," says Mathy Stanislaus,
assistant administrator for EPA's Office
of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.
"Our proposed amendments incorporate
scientific advances and lessons learned
from applying spill-mitigating substances
in response to oil discharges."
Under the NCP, EPA points out, only
chemical agents approved by an onscene coordinator are authorized for use
on an oil spill, although the law allows
for preauthorizing those agents. The
proposed revision changes the
authorization requirements to clarify
planning and reauthorization
responsibilities, and establishes
limitations and prohibitions on the use
of certain agents, according to the

agency.
The proposed revisions to Subpart J
of the plan include:
* New product toxicity and efficacy
test methodologies for dispersants and
other chemical and biological agents;
* New toxicity and efficacy criteria
for listing agents on the Subpart J
product schedule;
* Additional health and safety
information requirements for
manufacturers;
* New area planning requirements
for authorizing use of chemical and
biological agents; and
* New dispersant monitoring
requirements when used on certain oil
discharges.
"The proposed amendments will
help to ensure that only products that
perform effectively in additional

The U.S. onshore completed well count for fourth quarter 2014
was 9,544 wells, up 461 wells or 5 percent from fourth quarter
2013, reports Baker Hughes Inc. Total well completions differed
little from the previous quarter, but the company says there were
changes within specific regions. The count increased most
notably in the Cana Woodford (up 22 wells or 27 percent), Utica
(up 12 wells or 12 percent), and Marcellus (up 11 wells or 2

18 THE AMERICAN OIL & GAS REPORTER

laboratory testing will be listed on the
NCP product schedule for use in
mitigating the effects of oil discharges,"
EPA states.
The agency says dispersant
manufacturers will be able to use a new,
peer-reviewed laboratory method to
determine the effectiveness of
dispersants on two types of crude oil at
two temperatures, measured against
proposed performance criteria.
The agency will accept comments on
the proposed rule through April 22.
Comments will be accepted only
through the official docket: EPA-HAOPA-2006-0090. Information on the
proposed amendment is available at
www2.epa.gov/emergencyresponse/national-contingency-plan-sub
part-J. Ì

percent) areas. These increases were offset by decreases in the
Granite Wash (down 30 wells or 16 percent), Barnett (down 21
wells or 8 percent) and Haynesville (down 12 wells or 10 percent),
Baker Hughes details. The company says the average U.S. onshore
rig count for the fourth quarter was 1,856 rigs, up 14 rigs (1
percent) from the third quarter and up 159 rigs (9 percent) from
fourth quarter 2013.
American Oil and Gas Reporter - February 2015

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