Development of Unconventional Hydrocarbon Resources in the Appalachian Basin Workshop Summary (2014) / Chapter Skim
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3 Water and Regulations
3 Water and Regulations
Pages 17-24
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From page 17... ...
PLENARY PRESENTATIONS Water Issues Relating to Unconventional Oil and Gas Production John Veil, Veil Environmental, LLC Veil gave a brief review of the shale gas production process (see Chapter 1) , noting that water plays a role in several steps, including drilling the well (e.g., lubricating the drill bit with drilling fluid or mud)
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From page 18... ...
Many of these risks can be managed through due diligence in the shale gas development process. The primary water quality issues related to unconventional gas production in the Appalachian Basin include high concentrations of total dissolved solids in the produced water, the migration of stray gas into the water supply, and the potential migration of water from deep formations into shallow aquifers.
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From page 19... ...
Some model simulations have suggested that hydraulic fracturing can create conduits for brine migration above the target formation, although the modeling methodology has been challenged. Strontium isotopes may prove useful for tracing the movement of fluids in the environment because Marcellus-produced waters have a different isotopic composition than other sources, including conventional Upper Devonian gas reservoirs, abandoned coal mine draining, fly ash impoundments, and coal-fired power plant discharges (Figure 3.1)
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From page 20... ...
If a regulation specifies disposal of waste in a particular manner, then it generally has to be modified to allow for reuse or recycling. State Shale Gas Regulation in the Appalachian Basin: Recent Enhancements, Remaining Gaps, and Opportunities for Change Hannah Wiseman, Florida State University Wiseman noted that a large number of government regulations and enforcement strategies are aimed at protecting soil, surface water, and groundwater quality during well site activities.
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From page 21... ...
Some states regulate the quantity of surface water withdrawn for fracturing by requiring permits or water management plans showing that aquatic resources will not be adversely affected. For example, West Virginia requires operators to demonstrate that streamflow will be sufficient downstream of the withdrawal and that adverse impacts on aquatic life will be minimized.
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From page 22... ...
Longitudinal studies on long-term processes and the impacts of shale gas production on water quality would yield information that could help the public differentiate between perceived and actual risk. Every working group identified the importance of baseline data and ongoing measurements to assess and monitor water quality and fluid migration.
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From page 23... ...
Maintaining the integrity of old and abandoned wells is a challenge, and one working group suggested developing sensors to monitor the infrastructure and, if possible, fluid composition at different depths. Other technical and engineering issues raised in the working groups included reducing the volume of water for hydraulic fracturing and developing advanced water treatments, such as highrate, in situ treatment techniques for flowback and produced water, and desalination procedures to improve water quality and to recover valuable compounds.
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