A common misunderstanding of Ohio oil and gas law is that it allows oil and gas operators to spread drilling fluid on Ohio roads.

The Ohio Revised Code authorizes local governments to spread “brine” produced from oil and gas wells on roads.  Ohio law does not allow drilling fluid (aka “frac” or “frack” fluid) to be spread on roads under any circumstances and does not even allow brine to be spread without authorization from a local government.

Brine ≠ Frack Fluid

The distinction between brine and drilling fluid in the oil and gas industry is critical, even if those terms are sometimes used interchangeably by the public.

The Ohio Revised Code defines brine as “all saline geological formation water resulting from, obtained from, or produced in connection with exploration, drilling, well stimulation, or production of oil or gas, or plugging of a well.”  ORC §1509.01(U).

In layman terms, brine is a naturally occurring liquid that flows from deep in the earth when an oil and gas well is drilled.  It is essentially very salty water that may also contain some dissolved minerals and other elements.  Brine is not the carefully engineered drilling fluid that oil and gas companies use to drill and hydraulically fracture oil and gas wells.Continue Reading Fracking (Fracing) Fluid Not Allowed on Ohio Roads