7/28/2019 Eer Cpt Pes 2011
1/17
Hydraulic Fracturing and Water
Ports-to-Plains Alliance
2011 Energy Summit
April 78, 2011
John Harju
Associate Director for Research
2010 University of North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center.
7/28/2019 Eer Cpt Pes 2011
2/17
EERC...TheInternationalCenterforAppliedEnergyTechnology
Background
Water is the most critical limiting resource throughout the
world. Sustainable water supplies are needed for:
Energy production.
Growing and processing high-value crops. Industrial manufacturing.
Expanding populations.
As population grows and demand for food, water,
energy, and manufactured goods increases, competitionfor existing water supplies will increase.
7/28/2019 Eer Cpt Pes 2011
3/17
7/28/2019 Eer Cpt Pes 2011
4/17
7/28/2019 Eer Cpt Pes 2011
5/17
EERC...TheInternationalCenterforAppliedEnergyTechnology
Projected Domestic Gas Production
Source: Energy Information Administration, 2011, http://www.eia.gov/neic/speeches/newell_12162010.pdf
7/28/2019 Eer Cpt Pes 2011
6/17
EERC...TheInternationalCenterforAppliedEnergyTechnology
Global Liquids Production
Source: Energy Information Administration, 2011, http://www.eia.gov/neic/speeches/newell_12162010.pdf
7/28/2019 Eer Cpt Pes 2011
7/17
EERC...TheInternationalCenterforAppliedEnergyTechnology
Projected U.S. Energy Use
Source: Energy Information Administration, 2011, http://www.eia.gov/neic/speeches/newell_12162010.pdf
7/28/2019 Eer Cpt Pes 2011
8/17
EERC...TheInternationalCenterforAppliedEnergyTechnology
Water Needs for Fraccing
Fraccing requirements range from1 to 5 million gallons of freshwater
per well. The water is mixed with small
amounts of chemicals (biocides,polymers, friction reducers) andproppants prior to injection.
A percentage of the frac waterreturns to the surface (flowback)
and is recovered, disposed of, orrecycled.
Typically contains dissolved solids
(salts), suspended solids, residualhydrocarbons, and chemicals.
7/28/2019 Eer Cpt Pes 2011
9/17
EERC...TheInternationalCenterforAppliedEnergyTechnology
Options for Flowback Disposal
Underground injection
Discharge to a commercial industrial treatment facility
Discharge to a municipal wastewater treatment plant
Discharge to surface water bodies, following treatment
Reuse
Blending with freshwater
Recycling
7/28/2019 Eer Cpt Pes 2011
10/17
EERC...TheInternationalCenterforAppliedEnergyTechnology
Water and Fraccing Issues in the Media
Water availability, especially in arid and semiarid areas.
Public perception of how much water is needed forfraccing.
1 million gallons is the daily amount of water used to irrigate130 acres of farmland (1/4 section) in North Dakota.
Potential impacts of fraccing on underground suppliesof drinking water.
Precautions are taken to protect groundwater supplies when a
well is drilled and subsequently fracced. Fraccing has been successfully employed for over 60 years.
Concerns over frac flowback disposal.
7/28/2019 Eer Cpt Pes 2011
11/17
EERC...TheInternationalCenterforAppliedEnergyTechnology
Marcellus Water Issues
Marcellus Shale
Public concern over contamination of underground supplies ofdrinking water.
Temporary suspension of high-volume fraccing permits in NewYork pending review of industry practices by the New YorkDepartment of Environmental Control.
Proposed moratoriums on fraccing by the New York StateLegislature and other environmental groups.
Frac flowback disposal.
Stricter regulations than some midwestern states.
Lack of disposal well sites increases water hauling distancesand costs.
There is also some public concern over safe disposal of fracflowback.
7/28/2019 Eer Cpt Pes 2011
12/17
EERC...TheInternationalCenterforAppliedEnergyTechnology
Bakken Water Issues
Lack of freshwater availability forfraccing:
Access to Lake Sakakawea iscurrently restricted until the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers completesan environmental impact study.
Other surface water sources arelimited.
Groundwater supplies are alsolimited, already allocated, and/or
restricted by the North Dakota StateWater Commission.
Water haulers often wait in long linesor drive long distances to fill trucks.
7/28/2019 Eer Cpt Pes 2011
13/17
Bakken Formation Water Issues
7/28/2019 Eer Cpt Pes 2011
14/17
The Northern Great Plains Water Consortium(NGPWC) is a partnership between the
EERC, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE),and key stakeholders to address criticalissues that impact the water resources of thenorthern Great Plains region.
Stakeholders: Electrical power generation
utilities
Oil and gas companies
Industry
Municipalities
State agencies
Other interested entities
7/28/2019 Eer Cpt Pes 2011
15/17
EERC...TheInternationalCenterforAppliedEnergyTechnology
Key NGPWC Goals
To assess, develop, and demonstrate technologies andmethodologies that optimize water use for energyproduction.
To identify nontraditional water supply sources andinnovative options for water reuse.
7/28/2019 Eer Cpt Pes 2011
16/17
EERC...TheInternationalCenterforAppliedEnergyTechnology
Example NGPWC Projects
Evaluation of Bakken flowback recycling.
Pilot project demonstration of brackish groundwater treatment for
use in Bakken fraccing.
Funded by DOE, North Dakota Industrial Commission Oil andGas Research Council, and North Dakota Petroleum Council.
7/28/2019 Eer Cpt Pes 2011
17/17
EERC...TheInternationalCenterforAppliedEnergyTechnology
Contact Information
Energy & Environmental Research Center
University of North Dakota15 North 23rd Street, Stop 9018Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-9018
World Wide Web: www.undeerc.orgTelephone No. (701) 777-5157Fax No. (701) 777-5181
John Harju, Associate Director for [email protected]