Environmental impact of water injection on fresh water sources through regional studies

Transcription

1 Environmental impact of water injection on fresh water sources through regional studies Carlos Serralde Institute for Environmental Sustainability Mount Royal University September 17, 2015

2 Shale Plays & Water Stressed Zones Key findings: Southern Alberta has high level of competition for fresh water. Southern Alberta is ranked as a high or extremely high water stressed region. Source: World Resources Institute (WRI) (2014). Global Shale Gas Development-Water Availability and Bussiness Risks. Washington D.C.

3 Defining impact on Surface Water Resources As development of shale resources in Alberta continues to grow, it is necessary to continue monitoring impacts on fresh water resources. Supportive Information may include: Determining the actual amount of fresh water used in hydraulic fracturing operations. Estimates of water demand by different water users on a regional scale. Evaluation of Cumulative Water Demand (CWD) on watersheds in different periods of the year. Estimates of water flow projections expected in watersheds. Water-short Potentially Water-short Not-regionally Water-short (water-short areas may be present locally) Source: Alberta Environment, 2007.

4 Alternative sources of fresh water Alternative practices that are reducing operators environmental footprint on fresh water sources include: Water reuse and recycling Reduces fresh water consumption. Reduces wastewater transportation & disposal costs. Municipal wastewater treatment plants. Use of saline aquifers Reduces fresh water consumption. Non-water fracturing fluids (e.g. CO 2 and N 2 ) Reduces fresh water consumption. Reduces wastewater disposal costs. Improves flowback recovery & well cleanup. Use of saline aquifers Alternate fracturing fluids

5 Alternative sources of fresh water (Texas example) Different sources of water have been used in some shale plays in Texas. Estimated percentages of recycling/reuse and brackish water use in HF operations in Texas in 2011 Source: Source: Bureau of Economic Geology (2012). Oil & Gas Water Use in Texas: Update to the 2011 Mining Water Use Report. The University of Texas. Austin. TX.

6 Use of alternative water sources in Texas 1 AF = 1,233 m (thousand AF) (thousand AF) 36,000 AF 81,500 AF (does not include water reuse from HF, water recycling from other industry/treatment plants and use of brackish water) (including 17,000 AF of recycling/reuse and use of brackish water) Source: Bureau of Economic Geology (2012). Oil & Gas Water Use in Texas: Update to the 2011 Mining Water Use Report. The University of Texas. Austin. TX.

7 Access to reliable and public information As shale gas developments in Canada start growing, the lack of detailed information related to current and future recycling and water reuse rates may represent a potential gap that may affect the overall evaluation of this practice. Currently, there is a lack of information in Alberta s shale developments regarding: Volumes of water reuse. Volumes of water recycling (e.g. municipal/industrial waste water plants). Volumes of water obtained from saline aquifers (i.e. replacing fresh water). Release of information regarding water use from Directive 059 (AER) Increasing/continuing participation in research projects Development and implementation of other water-use reporting alternatives

8 Fresh Water Use in Hydraulic Fracturing Accessing international markets Technology improvement Increasing water demand by other users Fresh water in hydraulic fracturing Lack of fresh water resources Regulatory framework Social License Important shale developments in Western Canada are located in places where fresh water is generally available. Nevertheless, current conditions may change and may lead to an increase in the number of alternatives. Source: CBC SF Bay Area (2015). California Drought (

9 Public information Social License The lack of relevant studies may represent that public opinion is shaped by uncertain sources of information. Credible sources of information Public Opinion Application of best practices regarding water use is already happening in shale developments in Western Canada (e.g. water reuse and recycling). However, there is still a lack of reports and documents that communicate such practices to the public efficiently. Application of best practices & Reporting The application of a different approach when communicating (the already implemented best practices) may represent a positive change on public opinion. Transparency & Accountability Trust Credibility Legitimacy

10 Project Research at MRU The main themes that integrate our proposed research project are: Water reuse and recycling. Use of saline aquifers as an alternative source to fresh water. Use non-water fracturing fluids (e.g. CO 2, N 2 & LPG). Research project objectives: To review of current state of these practices. To identify cases of current application of these practices in western Canada. To identify general conditions that may impede or limit the application of these practices. Contact Info Carlos Serralde Institute for Environmental Sustainability cserralde@mtroyal.ca