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Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

The Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory is part of the USGS Oil and Gas Waters Project. It performs inorganic analysis of produced waters for geochemical fingerprinting and interpretation, environmental and human health impacts (e.g., disposal, reuse), and understanding potential mineral commodities. The BRInE lab is USGS Quality Management System compliant.

Enhance your Science - Work with the BRInE Laboratory

Produced Water Samples

The BRInE laboratory addresses the challenges of analyzing produced waters by adapting traditional methods of water analysis. If interested in working with the BRInE laboratory, please contact Andrew Masterson:

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USGS National Produced Waters Geochemical Database v2.3

Produced Waters Map V2.3 Thumb

The U.S. Geological Survey National Produced Waters Geochemical Database v2.3 is an updated compilation of geochemical and related information for water from oil and gas wells in the United States.

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Publications

Dissolved organic matter within oil and gas associated wastewaters from U.S. unconventional petroleum plays: Comparisons and consequences for disposal and reuse

Wastewater generated during petroleum extraction (produced water) may contain high concentrations of dissolved organics due to their intimate association with organic-rich source rocks, expelled petroleum, and organic additives to fluids used for hydraulic fracturing of unconventional (e.g., shale) reservoirs. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) within produced water represents a challenge for treatmen
Authors
Bonnie McDevitt, Aaron M. Jubb, Matthew S. Varonka, Madalyn S. Blondes, Mark A Engle, Tanya J. Gallegos, Jenna L. Shelton
By
Energy Resources Program, Mineral Resources Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

Insights on geochemical, isotopic, and volumetric compositions of produced water from hydraulically fractured Williston Basin oil wells

Tracing produced water origins from wells hydraulically fractured with freshwater-based fluids is sometimes predicated on assumptions that (1) each geological formation contains compositionally unique brine and (2) produced water from recently hydraulically fractured wells resembles fresher meteoric water more so than produced water from older wells. These assumptions are not valid in Williston Ba

Authors
Tanya J. Gallegos, Colin A. Doolan, Rodney R. Caldwell, Mark A Engle, Matthew S. Varonka, Justin E. Birdwell, Glenn D. Jolly, Tyler B. Coplen, Thomas A. Oliver
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

Utica shale play oil and gas brines: Geochemistry and factors influencing wastewater management

The Utica and Marcellus Shale Plays in the Appalachian Basin are the fourth and first largest natural gas producing plays in the United States, respectively. Hydrocarbon production generates large volumes of brine (“produced water”) that must be disposed of, treated, or reused. Though Marcellus brines have been studied extensively, there are few studies from the Utica Shale Play. This study presen

Authors
Madalyn S. Blondes, Jenna L. Shelton, Mark A Engle, Jason Trembly, Colin A. Doolan, Aaron M. Jubb, Jessica Chenault, Elisabeth L. Rowan, Ralph Haefner, Brian E. Mailot
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory
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