Water Management Challenges Associated with the Production of Shale Gas by Hydraulic Fracturing

Abstract

Research Article| June 01, 2011 Water Management Challenges Associated with the Production of Shale Gas by Hydraulic Fracturing Kelvin B. Gregory; Kelvin B. Gregory 1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890, USA E-mail: kelvin@cmu.edu; dzombak@cmu.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Radisav D. Vidic; Radisav D. Vidic 2Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA E-mail: vidic@pitt.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar David A. Dzombak David A. Dzombak 1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890, USA E-mail: kelvin@cmu.edu; dzombak@cmu.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Kelvin B. Gregory 1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890, USA E-mail: kelvin@cmu.edu; dzombak@cmu.edu Radisav D. Vidic 2Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA E-mail: vidic@pitt.edu David A. Dzombak 1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890, USA E-mail: kelvin@cmu.edu; dzombak@cmu.edu Publisher: Mineralogical Society of America First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1811-5217 Print ISSN: 1811-5209 © 2011 by the Mineralogical Society of America Elements (2011) 7 (3): 181–186. https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.7.3.181 Article history First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Kelvin B. Gregory, Radisav D. Vidic, David A. Dzombak; Water Management Challenges Associated with the Production of Shale Gas by Hydraulic Fracturing. Elements 2011;; 7 (3): 181–186. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.7.3.181 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyElements Search Advanced Search Abstract Development of unconventional, onshore natural gas resources in deep shales is rapidly expanding to meet global energy needs. Water management has emerged as a critical issue in the development of these inland gas reservoirs, where hydraulic fracturing is used to liberate the gas. Following hydraulic fracturing, large volumes of water containing very high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS) return to the surface. The TDS concentration in this wastewater, also known as "flowback," can reach 5 times that of sea water. Wastewaters that contain high TDS levels are challenging and costly to treat. Economical production of shale gas resources will require creative management of flowback to ensure protection of groundwater and surface water resources. Currently, deep-well injection is the primary means of management. However, in many areas where shale gas production will be abundant, deep-well injection sites are not available. With global concerns over the quality and quantity of fresh water, novel water management strategies and treatment technologies that will enable environmentally sustainable and economically feasible natural gas extraction will be critical for the development of this vast energy source. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.