Current perspective on produced water management challenges during hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas recovery
Kelvin Gregory A B and Arvind Murali Mohan A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
B Corresponding author. Email: kelvin@cmu.edu
Environmental Chemistry 12(3) 261-266 https://doi.org/10.1071/EN15001
Submitted: 1 January 2015 Accepted: 16 April 2015 Published: 22 May 2015
Environmental context. There is growing worldwide interest in the production of oil and gas from deep, shale formations following advances in the technical expertise to exploit these resources such as hydraulic fracturing (fracking). The potential widespread application of hydraulic fracturing has raised concerns over deleterious environmental impacts on fragile water resources. We discuss the environmental management challenges faced by the oil and gas industry, and the opportunities for innovation in the industry.
Abstract. The need for cheap and readily available energy and chemical feedstock, and the desire for energy independence have spurred worldwide interest in the development of unconventional oil and gas resources; in particular, the production of oil and gas from shale formations. Although these resources have been known for a long time, the technical expertise and market forces that enable economical development has coincided over the last 15 years. The amalgamation of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have enabled favourable economics for development of fossil energy from these unconventional reservoirs, but their potential widespread application has raised concerns over deleterious environmental impacts on fragile water resources. The environmental management challenges faced by the oil and gas industry arise from local water availability and infrastructure for treating and disposing of the high-strength wastewater that is produced. Although there are significant challenges, these create opportunities for innovation in the industry.
Additional keywords: biogeochemistry, chemical toxicology, ecotoxicology, redox chemistry, water chemistry.
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