An Integrated Framework for Treatment and Management of CBM Produced Water

Contributions from unconventional gas resources, including gas shale, coal seams, and tight sands, to the nation’s energy supply have grown significantly during the past 20 years and will play a key role in the nation’s energy portfolio in the future. The co-produced water generated during these operations is by far the largest volume byproduct associated with gas production. Improved methods are needed of treating and handling produced water that result in sustainable beneficial use. While produced water can provide a new source of water for communities, irrigation, and industries especially in the arid west, beneficial use of produced water still faces significant technical, economic, environmental, legal and institutional impediments.

The Colorado School of Mines (CSM) in collaboration with the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and Kennedy/Jenks Consultants has launched a research program entitled “An Integrated Framework for Treatment and Management of Produced Water” funded by the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America (RPSEA). This study is developing an Integrated Decision Framework to manage and treat produced water that has the potential to substantially reduce the overall costs and enhance gas recovery and economic viability (and longevity) of CBM fields while minimizing potential environmental impacts. This presentation will overview the techniques and methods developed during this study providing needed guidance to the industry in selecting the most cost-efficient management and treatment strategies for handling produced water by considering the site-specific conditions of CBM operations. The approach will also bring together producers with the water industry, regulatory agencies, tribal interests, landowners, agricultural stakeholders and environmental groups to address the key issues and identify solutions to the institutional impediments to beneficial use and to improve treatment, handling and re-use of produced water from unconventional gas operations.