Identification and Evaluation of Brackish Groundwater Resources and Alternate Water Sources for Hydraulic Fracturing Operations

Abstract

Abstract An important aspect of the hydraulic fracturing process is identifying and securing sufficient water resources. With the ever increasing demands for higher quality water resources for domestic and agricultural needs, alternative water sources including brackish groundwater and water reuse options are being evaluated and used for hydraulic fracturing operations. To access alternate water sources both the availability and suitability of the water resource must be addressed. Available alternate water sources are first identified within a reasonable distance to the wells that will be hydraulically fractured. Once identified, the alternate water source must be evaluated to determine if it is suitable (in terms of both quality and quantity) to meet the hydraulic fracturing requirements. If all conditions are met, the alternate water resource will provide a viable solution to meet the water needs of the hydraulic fracturing operation and at the same time minimize impacts to more sought-after water resources. Examples of utilizing available groundwater information from public domain sources to identify brackish groundwater resources and to map the horizontal and vertical extent of these resources are presented. The classification of brackish groundwater includes a wide range of water quality parameters and only some of the brackish groundwater falls within the technical specifications needed the hydraulic fracturing operation. Water reuse in the form of treated wastewater effluent can provide a suitable water resource for the hydraulic fracturing process. Examples of the identification and evaluation of wastewater effluent sources are presented. From initial identification of potential wastewater effluent resources through the evaluation of these identified resources to determine the viability to use these resources for the hydraulic fracturing process is presented. Sustainable use of water resources is important under all circumstances with heightened concern when drinking water and irrigation quality water is limited from higher demand and/or draught conditions. The effective and appropriate identification and evaluation of alternate water sources is critical to the successful hydraulic fracturing process. This paper presents field implemented processes and procedures used to identify and evaluate brackish groundwater and treated wastewater effluent to meet hydraulic fracturing water needs.