Water Requirements for Shale Gas Fracking in Fuling, Chongqing, Southwest China

Abstract

Techniques used to extract shale gas, hydraulic fracturing or fracking, do have draw-backs not least the large consumption of water. We provide the first estimate of water consumption in Chinese shale gas fracking. A case study from Fuling, Chongqing, Southwest China, shows that average water consumption is 27490 m3 per well, much higher (by 29%-160%) than in the USA. Data analysis indicates a significant correlation between water consumption and lateral length of wells (p<0.001, r2=0.47). Water usage for fracking can impact the local environment, and careful management will be required to avoid worsen the water stress.