GOULD 18 #1 Saltwater Storage Facility & Disposal Well - Ringgold, Louisiana Oil Extraction

GOULD 18 #1 Saltwater Storage Facility & Disposal Well is an operational oil extraction facility located north of Haynes Road in Ringgold, Louisiana, within Bienville Parish. The facility is part of the United States' extensive oil and gas infrastructure, serving the extraction sector with saltwater storage and disposal capabilities. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) for underground injection control. As an oil extraction site, it is subject to state-level regulations from the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, which oversees drilling and disposal activities to ensure environmental compliance. The facility's role in managing produced water, a byproduct of oil extraction, is critical for maintaining operational efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. Proper disposal of saltwater helps prevent surface contamination and supports the long-term viability of oil extraction in the region.

The facility is located in northwestern Louisiana, a region with a history of oil and gas development. The local environment includes forested areas and agricultural land, with the Red River watershed nearby. Proper management of saltwater disposal is essential to prevent soil and groundwater contamination, particularly given the potential for induced seismicity from deep well injection. The facility's operations are subject to EPA's Underground Injection Control program to protect drinking water sources.