Use of Saline Groundwater and Produced Water for Makeup of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids
Presented on Wednesday, May 1, 2013
J. Daniel Arthur, PE, Jeff Cline, Ph.D. and David Alleman, ALL Consulting, LLC, Tulsa, OK
During the high volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) of low-permeability oil and gas formations such as shales, water quantities for fracturing range from about 3 to 6 million gallons per well. To date, much of this water has come from fresh water sources such as rivers, lakes, and drinking water aquifers, which can be a conflict with local uses, such as drinking water. While the water volumes used for HVHF are small compared with other users such as municipalities, agriculture, and electricity generators, many operators are pursuing strategies to reduce their fresh water demands. With much of the country in drought conditions and traditional fresh water sources becoming increasingly unavailable for oil and gas operations, interest in such strategies is increasing.
A key element to sustainable development of critical oil and gas resources is consideration of alternative water sources, particularly saline groundwater and recycled produced water from fracturing. Now, with effective formulations being developed for higher salinity fracturing fluids, use of the more saline source waters can reduce and even eliminate conflicts for fresh water resources. Higher salinity fracturing fluids are becoming more typical with both economic and environmental advantages. However, in order to ensure that the fracturing fluid is effective, the mixing of fresh water with these more saline waters must be carefully planned in order to understand the chemical reactions that will occur, and treatment is typically required.
This article presents an overview of the factors that affect the use of saline groundwater and produced water to supplement or replace fresh water used for HVHF, including considerations for mixing and water treatment.
J. Daniel Arthur, PE
ALL Consulting, LLC, Tulsa, OK
Dan Arthur is the Managing Partner of ALL Consulting (www.all-llc.com). Mr. Arthur earned his Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla. He is a recognized authority on environmental issues pertaining to unconventional resource development and production. Mr. Arthur has served or is currently serving as the lead researcher on several significant projects involving unconventional resources; environmental considerations of shale gas development; produced water management and recycling, as well as research with the Ground Water Protection Research Foundation (GWPRF) involving analysis of produced water management alternatives and beneficial uses of coal bed methane produced water.
Jeff Cline, Ph.D.
ALL Consulting, LLC, Tulsa, OK
Jeff Cline has more than 28 years of experience with the oil and gas Industry. At ALL Consulting, he actively supports oil industry clients in water and waste management associated with E&P activities, especially hydraulic fracturing. Cline graduated from the Geology Department at Michigan State University with his program emphasis on water chemistry. At Amoco Production Co. (BP America today) and Anadarko Petroleum he was responsible for the environmental aspects of E&P processes. Cline has published numerous technical papers and made presentations concerning produced water and drill cuttings fate/effects and handling.
David Alleman
ALL Consulting, LLC, Tulsa, OK
David Alleman is an Environmental Manager with ALL Consulting. He has a long history of environmental research related to energy production in the United States. Mr. Alleman’s energy and environmental experience includes conventional oil and gas production, as well as water use and water treatment issues related to coal bed natural gas, shale gas, oil shale, processing, and coal. As a research manager with the U.S. Department of Energy, he was previously involved in many of the significant technical and regulatory environmental issues affecting industry over the last. 20 years.
