This task within the Oil and Gas Waters Project focuses on the development of oil and gas resources results in substantial volumes of produced water. Particularly when produced from deep geologic formations, these waters can exhibit elevated salinity in comparison to shallow groundwater at the same location. Knowing the spatial and temporal occurrence of high salinity produced water in groundwater aquifers can enhance environmental management, identify potential contamination pathways, and provide insight into the hydrogeologic conditions that may be explanatory factors for other studies related to geochemistry, ecosystem health, or groundwater quality and supply. The objectives of this task are (1) to locate produced water in soil and groundwater aquifers through the use of borehole, surface, and airborne geophysical methods and (2) to advance the application of geophysical techniques in infrastructure-rich environments typical of oil field and near-field settings.
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Below are other science projects associated with this project task.
Oil and Gas Waters Project
Quantifying broader impacts of oil and gas development
Quantities of water associated with oil and gas development
Science Team about Energy and Plains and Potholes Environments (STEPPE)
Big Data and Data Visualization
Characterization and Reuse of Oil and Gas Waters
Delineation of Brine Contamination in and near the East Poplar Oil Field, Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Northeastern Montana
- Overview
This task within the Oil and Gas Waters Project focuses on the development of oil and gas resources results in substantial volumes of produced water. Particularly when produced from deep geologic formations, these waters can exhibit elevated salinity in comparison to shallow groundwater at the same location. Knowing the spatial and temporal occurrence of high salinity produced water in groundwater aquifers can enhance environmental management, identify potential contamination pathways, and provide insight into the hydrogeologic conditions that may be explanatory factors for other studies related to geochemistry, ecosystem health, or groundwater quality and supply. The objectives of this task are (1) to locate produced water in soil and groundwater aquifers through the use of borehole, surface, and airborne geophysical methods and (2) to advance the application of geophysical techniques in infrastructure-rich environments typical of oil field and near-field settings.
Visit the Oil and Gas Waters Project to learn more.
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project task.
Oil and Gas Waters Project
The primary objective of this project is to provide information on the volume, quality, impacts, and possible uses of water produced during generation and development of energy resources (particularly hydrocarbons) as well as related fluids injected into reservoirs for energy development and associated waste disposal. The purpose of this work is to address scientific and societal questions...Quantifying broader impacts of oil and gas development
Work in this task of the Oil and Gas Waters project focuses on quantifying the effects of developing oil and gas resources. The approach is probabilistic, and it builds directly from USGS oil and gas assessment methods and geological studies. Efforts to date have revolved around quantifying habitat loss and land-use change and estimating soil loss. We are working on quantifying other types of...Quantities of water associated with oil and gas development
Work in this task of the Oil and Gas Waters Project focuses on quantifying the water used during hydrocarbon development and the water produced along with oil and gas. Hydraulic fracturing is an integral part of oil and gas development in many areas, and water use for this purpose has increased considerably in the last decade. Water produced from petroleum reservoirs includes hydraulic fracturing...Science Team about Energy and Plains and Potholes Environments (STEPPE)
Brine Contamination to Plains and Potholes Environments from Energy Development in the Williston BasinBig Data and Data Visualization
In the “Big Data and Data Visualization” task of the Oil and Gas Waters Project, we compile and update the USGS National Produced Waters Geochemical Database and use big data approaches to provide stakeholders with effortless access and modern tools for easier use and interpretation of our data.Characterization and Reuse of Oil and Gas Waters
In the “Characterization and Reuse of Oil and Gas Waters” task of the Oil and Gas Waters Project, we collect new water samples from conventional and hydraulically fractured unconventional plays in high priority oil and gas basins. Use the geochemistry of water produced along with oil and gas (a) as a tool to interpret deep basin fluid flow and to fingerprint brines from specific reservoirs, (b) to...Delineation of Brine Contamination in and near the East Poplar Oil Field, Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Northeastern Montana
Brine is a byproduct of crude oil production. Handling and disposal of brine during the last 50 years in the East Poplar oil field has resulted in contamination of not only the shallow Quaternary aquifers, but also the Poplar River. Previous investigations have documented and partially delineated the extent of brine contamination in the East Poplar oil field during the early 1990s. In the 10 years... - Data
- Multimedia
- Publications