Fit-for-purpose treatment goals for produced waters in shale oil and gas fields
Autor: | Ariel J. Atkinson, Michael A. Reynolds, Pedro J. J. Alvarez, Y. Ben Yin, Christian L. Conrad, Thomas N. Tekavec, Michael S. Wong, Ty Hanna |
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Rok vydání: | 2019 |
Předmět: |
Environmental Engineering
Resource (biology) Water Wells 0208 environmental biotechnology Context (language use) 02 engineering and technology 010501 environmental sciences Reuse Natural Gas Wastewater 01 natural sciences Hydraulic fracturing Environmental protection Environmental impact assessment Oil and Gas Fields Waste Management and Disposal 0105 earth and related environmental sciences Water Science and Technology Civil and Structural Engineering Hydraulic Fracking Ecological Modeling Pollution Produced water United States 020801 environmental engineering Environmental science Water quality Oil shale Goals |
Zdroj: | Water research. 173 |
ISSN: | 1879-2448 |
Popis: | Hydraulic fracturing (HF), or “fracking,” is the driving force behind the “shale gas revolution,” completely transforming the United States energy industry over the last two decades. HF requires that 4–6 million gallons per well (15,000–23,000 m3/well) of water be pumped underground to stimulate the release of entrapped hydrocarbons from unconventional (i.e., shale or carbonate) formations. Estimated U.S. produced water volumes exceed 150 billion gallons/year across the industry from unconventional wells alone and are projected to grow for at least another two decades. Concerns over the environmental impact from accidental or incidental release of produced water from HF wells (“U-PW”), along with evolving regulatory and economic drivers, has spurred great interest in technological innovation to enhance U-PW recycling and reuse. In this review, we analyze U-PW quantity and composition based on the latest U.S. Geographical Survey data, identify key contamination metrics useful in tracking water quality improvement in the context of HF operations, and suggest “fit-for-purpose treatment” to enhance cost-effective regulatory compliance, water recovery/reuse, and resource valorization. Drawing on industrial practice and technoeconomic constraints, we further assess the challenges associated with U-PW treatment for onshore U.S. operations. Presented are opportunities for targeted end-uses of treated U-PW. We highlight emerging technologies that may enhance cost-effective U-PW management as HF activities grow and evolve in the coming decades. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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