WorldWide Drilling Resource

massive quantities of mostly fresh water, and this is why it’s so important to find an accurate estimate of actual water use. The recent study found increased water use for oi l production is happening because energy production itself has increased, not because hydraulic frac- turing requires more water. The only difference in water use for conventional production and hydraulic fracturing is the point in the drilling process where water is used. Water for hydraulic fracturing is used up front, right after the well is drilled. During conventional production, water is used later in the process with water flooding and enhanced oil recovery. Other studies indicate total water use for a hydraul ic fracturing job is about the same as water use to keep one golf course irrigated for less than a month during the summer. 34 MAY 2015 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Water Use in Hydraulic Fracturing Not So Different Compiled by Amy White, Associate Editor WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Alleged overuse of water is one of several arguments raised by environ- mental groups who are trying to shut down or limit hydraulic fracturing of wells. A study by the University of Texas at Austin’s Bureau of Economic Geology found producing oil through hydraulic fracturing uses roughly the same amount of water as conventional drilling. Due to the current debate concern- ing the amount of water required to produce energy, these new findings are important. Bridget Scanlon, a lead research scientist with the study said this information can be used in the future for economic and policy studies about environmental impacts of uncon- ventional energy production. Since the main purpose of hydraulic fracturing is to increase oil and gas production, it is essential to find out how much water is used per unit of energy produced. The amount of water used in production affects the economic value of the end product. Researchers compared water use in hydraulic fracturing operations in the Eagle Ford and Bakken Formations with previous estimates of water use in con- ventional operations throughout the U.S. The Eagle Ford Play in Texas, and Bakken Play in Montana and North Dakota account for about two-thirds of the oil produced by hydraulic fracturing in the nation. Between the Eagle Ford and Bakken Plays, water use for hydraulic fracturing varied significantly, mainly because of variations in geology. However, in both formations, the proportion of water used per unit of energy gained was similar to conventional production. Scanlon said according to public perception, hydraulic fracturing uses Image courtesy of energyindepth.org A hydraulic fracturing job requires about four million gallons of water, spread over several days. For comparison: Four million gallons is about 1.3% of the amount of water used in car washes every day. Just one of the 15,889 golf courses across the U.S. uses four million gallons of water in less than one summer month. Last Chance to list your company on WWDR ’s JUBILEE Pinpointer Map! DEADLINE: MAY 26 TH CALL (850) 547-0102