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 water that flows back to the surface (“flowback water”) as well as water that naturally exists in the reservoir (“formation water”). Produced water quantities vary substantially in both time and place (locally and between different petroleum producing areas), and the produced water can represent a resource or a waste product needing disposal.
We provide assessments of these water quantities (water used and produced), as well as the proppant (typically sand) used for hydraulic fracturing, based directly on geology-based USGS oil and gas assessments. In addition, we conduct related studies of water quantities used for hydraulic fracturing and water produced with oil and gas.
We have developed a methodology for quantitative assessment of water and proppant (generally sand) potentially required for hydrocarbon production, along with water produced along with oil and gas. This approach builds directly from USGS oil and gas assessments. Our first water and proppant assessment was conducted in 2016, for the Bakken and Three Forks Formations, with summary results presented here. Additional assessments are currently under way. This is a task of the Oil and Gas Waters Project
Below are other science projects associated with this project task.
Oil and Gas Waters Project
Geophysical mapping of produced water in near-surface environments
Hydraulic Fracturing
Characterization and Reuse of Oil and Gas Waters
- Overview
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 water that flows back to the surface (“flowback water”) as well as water that naturally exists in the reservoir (“formation water”). Produced water quantities vary substantially in both time and place (locally and between different petroleum producing areas), and the produced water can represent a resource or a waste product needing disposal.
We provide assessments of these water quantities (water used and produced), as well as the proppant (typically sand) used for hydraulic fracturing, based directly on geology-based USGS oil and gas assessments. In addition, we conduct related studies of water quantities used for hydraulic fracturing and water produced with oil and gas.
We have developed a methodology for quantitative assessment of water and proppant (generally sand) potentially required for hydrocarbon production, along with water produced along with oil and gas. This approach builds directly from USGS oil and gas assessments. Our first water and proppant assessment was conducted in 2016, for the Bakken and Three Forks Formations, with summary results presented here. Additional assessments are currently under way. This is a task of the Oil and Gas Waters Project
- 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...Geophysical mapping of produced water in near-surface environments
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...Hydraulic Fracturing
Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, is the process of injecting water, sand, and/or chemicals into a well to break up underground bedrock to free up oil or gas reserves. The USGS monitors the environmental impact of this practice across the country, from potential earthquakes to degraded groundwater quality.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... - Publications
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