The American Ground Water Trust and the American Institute of Professional Geologists organized a two-day conference program in Austin, Texas that brought together energy industry, water experts, environmental groups and regulatory authorities to discuss the economic potential of shale gas development and the long-term environmental sustainability of water sources in Texas. Robert Traylor, a petroleum geologist and a geological advisor on groundwater protection for the Railroad Commission on oil & gas operations was one of the presenters. He spoke about the importance of understanding the geological characteristics needed to ensure the safety of the disposal of brines and flow-back fluids resulting from hydraulic fracturing operations.