Natural Gas Development – The 3 Ds &

The Role of the Water Industry

EWQA Conference

9/25/2014

Hunt Valley, Maryland

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor

Todays Speaking Event Sponsor is :

Quantum Analytical &

Environmental Laboratories, Inc. is

a private, PA DEP accredited (35-

03470) drinking water, non-potable

water (wastewater,) and solid

chemical materials laboratory that

is locally owned and operated in

Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Mr. Brian Oram, Professional Geologist (PG),

Professional Soil Scientist (PA and WV),

Licensed Well Driller (PA)

B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc.

http://www.bfenvironmental.com

Water Research Center

http://www.water-research.net

Keystone Clean Water Team

http://www.pacleanwater.org

Presented by

B.F. Environmental

Consultants Inc.

Professional Consulting Services in the areas of water

quality, soils, stormwater, geology, aquifer analysis, and

land-development.

Baseline Testing – Chain-of-Custody- Sourcewater

Protection

Expert Testimony

Online Training for Licensed Professionals

Water Treatment Process/ Product Development

http://www.bfenvironmental.com

Water-Research Center

Education and Outreach Program funded by

B.F. Environmental Consultants Inc.

Outreach Programs

Environmental and Professional Education and Training for Citizens and Local Municipalities

Water Quality Help Guides – Information Library

Community and Business Outreach Programs

Low Cost – Informational Water Testing Program

Citizen Monitoring Programs- Developing Low Cost Water Quality Sensors

Targets Young Adults, Watershed Organizations, Coalition, Environmental Groups, Professionals, and Kids

http://www.water-research.net

PACleanwater.org

The Keystone Clean Water Team (KCWT)

is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer,

environmental education organization which

provides homeowners with information on

private wells, water quality and quantity,

and septic systems

Not an Advocacy Group

1. Education

2. Fact Based Approach

3. Scientific Method

4. Target Education of Kids and Families

5. Delivery Statewide

Please Support – http://www.pacleanwater.org

The Three D’s in Natural Gas Development and the

|Role of the Water/Environmental Industry.

Water Testing

Water Resources

Waste Management

Environmental Monitoring

Water Resource

Water Management

Water Treatment

Waste Management

Mobile Water Treatment

Drilling Development Distribution

Waste Management

Brine Management

Pipeline Integrity

Environmental

Monitoring

Natural Gas Plays in United States

Shale- What is it?

Source: http://world-nuclear.org/info/inf30.html

Named for Location Found

~400 million years old

~3000 to 9000+ ft below

surface

Formed from organic-rich

mud

Natural gas

Radioactive (NORM)

Low permeability

High Salt Content

NORM – Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material

385 Million Years Ago

Source: http://www2.nau.edu/rcb7/nam.html

Why is this being done- NOW?

http://www.sec.gov

The Drilling

Phase

Drilling Phase

During this activity phase, the

primary opportunities for the water and

environmental industries would include:

Environmental Audits/ Permitting

Developing / Permitting Water Sources

Baseline Environmental Monitoring

Developing Spill Containment Plans

Construction Inspection and Oversight

Public Education / Outreach

Baseline Water Testing

Third-Party Contractor

Certified Testing

Documenting Existing

Conditions

Documenting Wellhead

Lower Explosion Limit

Percent Exceeded

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Total C

oliform

pH <

6.5

Lead

Man

gane

seIro

n

e. coli

Pht

halte

s

Ars

enic

TDS

Sod

ium

(> 2

00 m

g/L)

Chlorid

e

Gro

ss A

lpha

Perc

en

t E

xceed

ed

Well Inflenced

by

Saline Water

bis(2 ethylhexylphthaltes)

What?

Plasticizers?

About 49% - Do NOT Meet Drinking Water

Standards !

From the Database – Predrilling Data ONLY!

Approximate Frac Water - Wastew ater Chemistry

Concentration - mg/L (Source: PSU and Marcellus Shale Coalition)

0.1

1

10

100

1000

10000

100000

1000000

Chl

orid

e

Sodium

Cal

cium

Mag

nesiu

m

Bariu

mIro

n

Nitr

ogen

Mag

anese

Lead

Arsen

ic

Oil/Gre

ase

Cad

miu

m

Approximate Flowback Water - Wastewater Chemistry

Concentration - mg/L (Source: PSU and Marcellus Shale Coalition

More Data can be found at

http://www.bfenvironmental.com

Chloride Sodium

Calcium

Magnesium

Barium

Bromide

Ammonia

Iron Nitrogen

Manganese

Lead Arsenic

Oil/Grease

Cd, Sb, Be, Cr, Ni, Ag, Tl

and other trace metals and

organics

Strontium

Lithium

MBAS

Potassium

Aluminum

Are we Testing for Glycols?

We are Testing for BTEX

and Additives !

Everybody is recommending BTEX – What about Glycols???

Suggested Baseline- For Citizens

Tier 1 : Total Coliform with E. Coli confirmation, Chloride, Sodium, Bromide, Barium, Strontium pH, Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids, MBAS, Iron, Manganese, Arsenic, Aluminum, Lead, Turbidity, Total Hardness, Total Suspended Solids, and Methane/Ethane/Propane.

Tier 2: Includes all parameters within Tier I, plus Copper, Magnesium, Calcium, Zinc, Alkalinity, Nitrate, Total Suspended Solids, Sulfate, Oil & Grease, 21-VOCs/MTBE, and Selenium.

Tier 3: Includes all parameters within Tier I and Tier II, Potassium, Sulfide, Ammonia, Acidity, Nickel, Mercury, Gross Alpha/Beta, and Uranium

Glycols – Problem is Price

and Detection Limit.

Opportunity

1. 50% of private well owners are finding

out there well water is contaminated.

2. Most well owners have more than 1

problem, such as bacteria and iron,

methane/iron, and bacteria and

manganese/iron.

3. 20% + have corrosive water.

4. 8% have arsenic issues.

5. 5 % have saline water / methane

issues.

6. Self Screening Test

7. Public Informed (?) Confused –

Needed a Trusted/ Reliable Advisor.

Answer – Their Community Based

Water Treatment Professional !

Be the Solution !

Fact Based !

24 inch casing

20 inch casing

13+ inch casing

May add 9+ inch casing- coal zones

or high pressure gas zones 5.5 inch casing

Air

Fresh Water

Drilling Mud

(Barite)

BaSO4

Food Grade

Mineral Oil

Protective Casing – Do it Right !

Open Loop Replaced by

Closed Loop Drilling

Old WAY

Common Problems Associated with

Natural Gas Development and

Private Wells

Dirty and Discolored Water – associated with

the initial drilling of the well. Water has

metallic taste.

Increased Levels of iron, manganese, and

aluminum and some other metals.

Increased Levels of Dissolved Gases –

Primarily Methane, but also ethane, propane,

and radon.

Please Note – These Photos May Also Represent Baseline Conditions

Gas Signature NOT Typical of Target Formation

Most impacts associated with Methane Gas Migration associated

with borehole construction

The findings:

1. Over 1000 cases reported in 7 yrs– Only 243 cases associated with Oil and

Natural Gas Development. (What Caused the Bulk of the Problem?- Do

not know – NO One Asked!)

2. In 20 % of the cases in Eastern PA – Driller Presumed Responsible.

3. In 26 % of the cases in Eastern PA – the Problem was Temporary and

already resolved!

4. Iron - 30 cases – 28 %

Manganese – 41 cases – 38 %

Aluminum – 15 cases – 14%

Barium – 3 cases – 2.8 %

Total Dissolved Solids -TDS – 4 cases – 3.7 %

Chloride – 2 cases – < 2 %

Zinc – 1 case – < 1 %

In one case, Air Foam (surfactant was found).

When a Cause was Known

Most Common was

Drilling Phase and then

Leaky Ponds.

PSU Study -Migration and Disturbance During Drilling-

losing circulation Proper Construction Poor Construction

Key Points

1. Proper Casing and Cement of Marcellus Shale Wells

2. Knowing How Private Wells Are Constructed

3. Isolation Distances will not Solve This Problem.

4. Fixing Private Wells has to be part of the Solution.

5. This may account for the data on bromide from PSU.

6. The issue may not be well radial distance, but construction

and drilling issue.

7. Recommend closed loop drilling with water within

freshwater aquifer (no muds) or water-based muds.

up t

o 2

000 f

t

Lined Pit

Could this explain the

Bromide Issue or

Discolored Water??

Tanks

Add

String

Problems with Gas Migration and Cement

http://www.water-research.net/index.php/methane

If this much is coming to the surface how much

may be being pushed into shallow bedrock units?

What happens when this pressure is shut in?

Service Your Clients

Baseline Testing Private Well Owners

Installing Water Treatment or Upgrading

Existing Systems

Improve Private Water Well Integrity

Baseline Assessment for Community

Water Sources or Watershed

Assessments

Installing real-time monitoring as part of

an early warning system.

Assisting with Risk Assessment

Methane Solubility

Zero Head 28 mg/L

50 feet Head 69 mg/L

100 feet Head 110 mg/L

150 feet Head 151 mg/L

200 feet Head 192 mg/L

Freshwater – Solubility as a function of pressure.

Therefore, Water

Well methane levels

can exceed 28 mg/L

if water is not in

equilibrium

with the atmosphere.

How Can Methane Level be Above 28 mg/L ?

http://www.water-research.net/index.php/methane

The

Development

Phase

Hydraulic

Fracturing

Stop Using the Word – “Frac”

“Frak”

“Frak – was the “four” letter

word for the 12 Colonies in

Battlestar Galactica.

This will make our Jobs a lot easier !

The process is called Hydraulic Fracturing.

War

Battle

Hydraulic

Fracturing

Slickwater- High Volume

Gas Frac- http://www.gasfrac.com/

Stock(GFS- TSX Exchange- Canada)

Liquid CO2 (Dry Frac) - Praxair Inc

(PX- NYSE)

7.5 Million gallons

freshwater

Tracking added by Computers and Manifests

Software Ties Directly into River Basin

Commission Withdrawal Limits and Flow Protection

Types of Fluids - Associated with

Marcellus Shale

Top hole fluids – typically the water from the freshwater aquifer. This water from the first 600 to 1200 feet. (Less than 1000 mg/L)

Bottom hole fluids – brine or connate water.

Stimulation Fluids – fluid used to improve recovery (frac process)- includes biocides and other chemicals.

Production Fluids – water produced along the natural gas release – similar to bottom hole fluid. May be 20%+ Solution (200,000+ mg/L).

Slickwater Hydraulic Fracturing

Slick-water fracturing is the most basic and most

common form of well stimulation.

Frac fluid is composed primarily of water and sand,

over 99.5%.

Chemicals are added to reduce friction, corrosion,

bacterial-growth, and provide other benefits during

the stimulation process.

Slick-water fluid can be pumped down a well-bore as

fast as 100 bbl/min. Allowing a higher-pressure shale

fracture (9,000 to 10,000 psi).

The top speed of pumping without using slick-water is

around 60 bbl/min.

1 bbl = 42 gallons; therefore, 100 bbl/min = 4,200 gallons/minute

Arthur et. al., 2008 – All Consulting – “ Natural Gas Wells of the

Marcellus Shale”, Presented at Groundwater Protection Council

2008 Annual Forum.

Active Marcellus Production Site –

Frac Fluid Chemistry

Typically Frac Water is water with a low probably for scale formation, but treated

effluents and other sources being evaluated.

The components include:

Friction Reducer – anionic polymer high molecular weight (polyacrylamide-

polymers)-(hold frac sand and other particles)

Wetting Agent- nonionic surfactant – reduce surface tension and improve

frac water flowback. (Butanol and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (2-BE) )

Biocides- control growth or regrowth of microorganisms (Bromine, chlorine, ozone

methanol, naphthalene, and others).

Scale Inhibitor – phosphate based chemicals to inhibit precipitate formation

and scale formation (citric acid, Hydrochloric acid, and ethylene glycol).

Has been done using blended water (30% Recycled and 70 % Fresh)

and 100 % Recycled.

Water Sourcing - Options

Since only 10 to 20% Returns

Immediately – Net Water Demand

Municipal Water to Storage Ponds

Surface water to Storage Ponds

Groundwater to Storage Ponds

Via Pipelines, Hauling, Pumper Truckers, or

Temporary Pipelines

Use of Degraded Waters – treated

wastewater, stormwater, and mine drainage

All approaches require “Cradle to Grave”

Source Water Tracking !

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

TDS Chloride Sodium T. Hardness

(Ca+Mg)

Strontium

Co

ncen

trati

on

, m

g/L

Frac Water/Recycled Flow back Water

Glycols may be as high as

130 mg/L

Most VOCs / SOCs

< 1 mg/L

Radionuclides Varies

ND – 5800 pCi/L

Freshwater Line

Reclaimed Water Line

Formation Breakdown

Fracturing fluid is pumped into the well under high pressure to breakdown the formation.

Perforation Isolated zones of the pipe are perforated using charges to allow the fluids and proppants to obtain access to the formation.

Drilling, Data Collection and Model Simulation

Geophysical data is collected on a site such as porosity permeability and natural fracture data, then simulated to determine optimal fracture placement.

Recent Changes in NE Pennsylvania and Other Areas

1. Large Shale Companies (Marcellus)- 100% use of flowback water

and production brine. (100 % recycle)

2. Reuse – Pretreatment – Particle reduction to removal of iron,

manganese, Barium, and other scale formation factors.

3. Number of Stages Increased – 300 + stages and lateral lengths

are 6000 to 10,000 feet (up from 3000 to 5000 feet)

4. Length of Stages decreased from 300 and 500 feet to 100 foot

5. Initial flowback about 10% to 15 % the water *

6. Water usage about 900 barrels per stage or 11.3 million gallons per

Well (Doubled !)

7. Capture Area – Doubled to nearly 1200 acres (1 well pad).

Proppant Sequence A large volume of water is added

along with concentrations of proppant (sand in this case) starting

at a concentration of 0.1 lbs./gal

Slickwater Pad A volume of fracturing fluid large

enough to fill the wellbore and open the formation area is applied for

friction reduction purposes

Acid Treatment A solution of hydrochloric acid is

pumped into the well bore to initiate the fracturing process.

Example of a Single Stage of a Sequenced Hydraulic Fracture Treatment

Stage Volume (gallons) Rate (gal/min) Fluid Type Proppant Size

Acid 5,000 500 15% HCl acid none

Pad 100,000 3,000 slickwater none

Prop 0.1 50,000 3,000 slickwater 100 Mesh

Prop 0.3 50,000 3,000 slickwater 100 Mesh

Prop 0.5 40,000 3,000 slickwater 100 Mesh

Prop 0.75 40,000 3,000 slickwater 100 Mesh

Prop 1 40,000 3,000 slickwater 100 Mesh

Prop 2 30,000 3,000 slickwater 100 Mesh

Prop 3 30,000 3,000 slickwater 100 Mesh

Prop 0.25 20,000 3,000 slickwater 40/70

Prop 0.5 20,000 3,000 slickwater 40/70

Prop 0.75 20,000 3,000 slickwater 40/70

Prop 1 20,000 3,000 slickwater 40/70

Prop 2 20,000 3,000 slickwater 40/70

Prop 3 20,000 3,000 slickwater 40/70

Prop 4 10,000 3,000 slickwater 40/70

Prop 5 10,000 3,000 slickwater 40/70

Flush 13,000 3,000 slickwater none

47

Hydraulic Fracturing: An Oblique View

Each fracture is roughly elliptical in

shape. Height should be thickness

of Marcellus layer, length as long

as possible.

The length can be 100’s to 1000’s

of feet, but probably 500 ft vertical

and 1000 horizontal.

Takes a lot of injection fluid to

create many such fractures

from a single well.

From Oilfield Review:

Schlumberger

Water Flowback and Disposal

Recovered water and fluid is treated and reused or ultimately disposed.

Water Flush

Flushing the well with water is used to displace treatment fluids and proppant forcing it deeper into the formation. Also ensures that proppant is not “duning” (piling up) inside the well.

Water Management Treatment Options

Highly Variable – While In the Demand Cycle !

1. Oil, Grease, and Volatile Reduction with Particle Removal and

oxidation of iron and manganese –Filtration to a particle size of

< 2 microns. (Chesapeake Aqua Renew).

2. Chemical Treatment to reduce carbonates, hardness (barium,

strontium, radium, and other divalent cations). (Non-scale forming)

with particle reduction.

3. Oxidation with Chemical Precipitation.

4. Electrochemical Water Treatment.

5. Membrane Technology

6. Vacuum Distillation or Heat Distillation - Crystallization

Real Need for Third Party – Water “Brokers” to Facilitate Exchange

And Reuse – Between Companies.

Sludge may be a TENORM – Technically Enhanced Naturally

Occurring Radioactive Material

Opportunities

1. Water Source Management – Selling Untreated Municipal Water

from Backup or Primary Wells.

2. Long-term Environmental Monitoring

3. Developing Emergency Strategies / Back up Treatment

Systems Units

4. High Purity Sources – like “Bottled Spring Water” may require

monitoring wells and real-time monitoring.

5. Help fund water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure as part of

developing a water resources management approach.

Distribution Phase

1. Local Drilling Activity or Development

waning.

2. Managing Wells Under Production and

Compression stations fluids management

(production brine water)

Opportunities

1. Develop deeper black shale formations – Utica.

2. Implement “de minimus” water treatment and recharge using

Land-based irrigation to sustain regional aquifers.

3. Develop more advanced treatment for “Third Pipe” Applications.

4. Develop treatment processes to create high quality brine water

for industrial and energy applications (Fuel Cell Energy Storage).

5. Use Saline Water to help with CO2 sequestration.

Leave the Water Demand Cycle – Associated

With Well Yield Development – 20 + years out

Over the next 20 to 40 years, we will be moving from a water

Demand cycle to a brine water disposal need. The disposal options:

1. Treat the water to a “de minimis” set by regulatory agency. In PA,

this is very close or more restrictive than drinking water standards.

(PA WMGR123). This would permit direct discharge.

2. Developing beneficial uses such as: road deicing agents or

Industrial saline water sources. Produce high quality saline water

usable for industrial production and energy (Hydrogen/ Chlorine Gas).

3. Deep well injection – UIC Program

UIC Program by State

http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/Primacy.cfm

Lead Agency by State or Tribe

for UIC Program

Injection Wells – Class II

Class II wells inject fluids associated with oil and natural gas production.

Most of the injected fluid is salt water (brine), which is brought to the surface

in the process of producing (extracting) oil and gas.

Regulated by:

EPA - http://www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/wells_class2.html

Does the UIC Program regulate hydraulic fracturing?

Sometimes. The UIC Program regulates the following activities:

Well injection of fluids into a formation to enhance oil and gas production (Class II wells).

Fracturing used in connection with Class II and Class V injection wells to “stimulate” (open pore space in a formation).

Hydraulic fracturing to produce methane from coal beds in Alabama.

Rarely Seen Video

Our Latest Educational

Resource Description of the following:

a. Citizen Database

b. Baseline Testing

c. Drinking Water Standards

d. Specific Water Quality Standards

e. Treatment Options

f. How to Shock Disinfect a Well

g. How to Properly Construct a Well

h. General Guidelines on Baseline Testing

Parameters.

And More. cost$ 5.00

Other Resources at http://www.water-research.net

Supports a Local 501C3 – Carbonwaters.org

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor

Todays Speaking Event Sponsor is :

Quantum Analytical &

Environmental Laboratories, Inc. is

a private, PA DEP accredited (35-

03470) drinking water, non-potable

water (wastewater,) and solid

chemical materials laboratory that

is locally owned and operated in

Northeastern Pennsylvania.

????? Ideas ?????

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education training session.

If you would like to obtain 0.2 hours of

continuing education credits or 2 hours of

PDHs – please send an email to

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The fee for the credits will be $ 50.00(US)

Natural Gas Development – The 3 Ds &

The Role of the Water Industry

EWQA Conference

9/25/2014

Hunt Valley, Maryland