Water Usage in the Permian Basin: Drilling and Fracturing without Fresh Water
Stonnie L. Pollock, Fasken Oil and Ranch, Ltd. Midland Texas
Record levels of oil and gas activity in the Permian Basin has greatly increased the demand for water in drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations. Environmental stewardship and water conservation are critical, due to limited fresh water resources. These limitations are due to increased usage, absence of surface water, inadequate fresh water aquifers, and little to no aquifer recharge.
In 2013, Fasken begin recycling produced water and supplementing volumes with brackish groundwater to eliminate the use of fresh water for drilling and fracturing operations. This paper presents the methods that Fasken has implemented for treating produced water and production of brackish groundwater from the Santa Rosa sandstone of the Dockum Group. The geology and geohydrology of fresh water and brackish water aquifers will also be discussed.
Special thanks to our January Luncheon Sponsor:
