Wednesday, May 1, 2013: 2:55 p.m.
Regency West 4 (Hyatt Regency San Antonio)
The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) is currently constructing the Buckhorn Wellfield in Gonzales County, Texas as part of its Regional Carrizo Program. Water from this wellfield will be treated and transported to San Antonio for distribution. There is historic and ongoing oil and gas development activity within the wellfield boundaries, targeting deeper hydrocarbon-bearing units in the Austin Chalk and, more recently, the Eagle Ford Shale. Therefore, for much of the useful life of the project, SAWS’ wellfield facilities will coexist with numerous oil and gas operations, so it was determined that an overall assessment be performed to identify and mitigate potential risks. The presentation will summarize available information related to hydraulic fracturing operations in the area and discuss qualitatively the risk the operations may pose to the Carrizo Aquifer and the Buckhorn Wellfield.