As subsurface and formation pressure dynamics evolve, operators across the Permian are being forced to rethink where and how they inject, redrawing the map of saltwater disposal one permit at a time.
Delaware Basin Sees a Decline in Permitting Activity
According to B3 Insight’s bi-weekly SWD Permitting Report, operators are adjusting their strategies as pressure constraints tighten in key parts of the basin. Permit activity in the Delaware Basin, once a disposal workhorse, has notably declined. This trend is likely tied to rising formation pressures, deep injection seismicity risks, and the increasing regulatory burden on shallow injection zones.
The Central Basin Platform: A New Disposal Focal Point
Meanwhile, the Central Basin Platform (CBP) is showing signs of a resurgence. SWD permit applications are increasing, suggesting operators are targeting this historically underutilized area as a potential relief valve for Delaware Basin produced water.
New RRC Guidelines Reshape Permitting Standards
This eastward pivot is also being shaped by the Texas Railroad Commission’s new permitting guidelines, effective June 1, 2025, which introduce a more conservative framework for managing injection risk. Chief among the changes is a universal cap on Maximum Surface Injection Pressure (MSIP) at 0.5 psi/ft across the Permian. Combined with new area-of-review (AOR) standards and pressure-based volume restrictions, the revised rulebook significantly raises the bar for permitting in saturated, high-pressure areas.
Injection Strategies Shift Amid Capacity and Cost Constraints
These data points all signal a clear message: produced water disposal in the Permian is entering a new phase—one defined by distance, constraint and cost. As pore space fills and regulations tighten, operators are increasingly forced to move water away from high-pressure zones, reshaping development strategies and altering the economic balance between water management and hydrocarbon production.
These insights are based on B3 data. B3 Insight is the premier source for water and injection-related data and analytics, delivering unmatched visibility into subsurface activity, disposal capacity, and regulatory dynamics.