^®: CRE Regulatory Action of the Week

BLM Seeks Comment on Revised Fracking Rule
On May 11, 2012, the Bureau of Land Management published in the Federal Register a proposed rule entitled Oil and Gas; Well Stimulation, Including Hydraulic Fracturing, on Federal and Indian Lands. The BLM has used the comments on that draft to make improvements and is now seeking additional comment on a revised proposed rule. Key issues in this updated draft include: the use of an expanded set of cement evaluation tools to help ensure that usable water zones have been isolated and protected from contamination; and more detailed guidance on how trade secrets claims will be handled, modeled on the procedures promulgated by the State of Colorado. Comments on the proposed rule are due to BLM on or before June 24, 2013.