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Oil & Gas Exploration
Oil and natural gas exploration have been taking place across the country for decades. Recently, interest has grown in exploring parts of Michigan, including Washtenaw County. This process generates controversy, excitement, confusion and sometimes fear among the public. This web page is intended for informational purposes only, and serves to educate the public on this issue.
Water Well Construction & Abandonment Requirements
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE) update on Water Well Construction and Abandonment Requirements (PDF), including requirements for water well drilling, construction and plugging/abandonment associated with oil and gas activities (May 2013).
Oil & Gas Pre-Drilling Water Well Sampling Guidelines
- Certified Drinking Water Chemical Laboratories (2021) (PDF)
- Groundwater Quality and Testing Reference
- EGLE (Formerly MDEQ) Oil and Gas Pre-Drilling Water Well Testing Guidelines (2018) (PDF)
National Ground Water Association
- Hydraulic Fracturing: Meeting the Nation’s Energy Needs While
Protecting Groundwater Resources (PDF) - Hydrofracturing in Water Wells vs. Hydraulic Fracturing in Oil and Gas Wells (PDF)
- Water Wells in Proximity to Natural Gas or Oil Development (PDF)
EGLE Oil & Gas Information Mapping Tool
EGLE developed GeoWebFace provides a wide array of geologic information for natural resource management, educational, and general interests. Additional programs are not needed but can be added to suit individual needs. Information includes: oil and gas well data and files, mining, and related geographic information. The over sixty layers of map information include:
- Bedrock Geology
- Federal Lands
- Glacial Geology
- Gravity
- Hillshade
- Magnetics
- National Forests
- Outcrops
- Range and Section
- Shaded Relief
- State Mineral Leases
- State Ownership
- Structural Geology
- Town
- Water Falls
- Wetlands Inventory
Non-Renewable Geological Resource Activities
The GeoWebFace allows users to view, on a Michigan map, information about non-renewable geological resource activities regulated under: Part 615 "Oil and Gas Rules and Regulations," Part 625 "Mineral Wells," Part 631 "Mine Reclamation," Part 632 "Nonferrous Metallic Mining," Part 635 "Coal Mines," and Part 637 "Sand Dune Mining."
- EGLE Map Showing Distribution of Oil and Gas Wells in Michigan (September 2012) (PDF)
- EGLE (formerly MDEQ) Presentation on Their Regulatory Response to Hydraulic Fracturing (PDF)
Hydraulic Fracturing Studies
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Jennifer Conn
Environmental EngineerPhone: 734-222-3855
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Environmental Health
Physical Address
Western Service Center
705 N Zeeb Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 8645
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Phone: 734-222-3800Fax: 734-222-3930
- Michigan State University Extension: Oil and Gas Leasing Information
- National Ground Water Association's Wellowner.org
- Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy: Office of Oil, Gas and Minerals
- United States Environmental Protection Agency: Natural Gas Extraction - Hydraulic Fracturing
- FracFocus Chemical Disclosure Registry