Produced Water in the Uinta Basin, Utah: Evaluation of Reservoirs, Water Storage Aquifers, and Management Options (B-138)

By: Thomas C. Chidsey Jr., Compiler and Editor

Oil and gas fields in the Uinta Basin of eastern Utah typically produce about 30 million barrels of oil and 325 billion cubic feet of gas annually from the Tertiary Wasatch and Green River Formations and several formations in the Upper Cretaceous Mesaverde Group. Over 100 million barrels of water is also produced with these hydrocarbons. Extensive drilling in lenticular, tight gas sands in the Wasatch and Mesaverde has occurred in the eastern part of the basin, while large drilling programs as part of expanding waterflood projects for oil in the Green River continue in the south-central basin. The environmentally sound disposal of produced water affects the economics of the hydrocarbon resource development in the basin. Specific Uinta Basin water issues include water use/reuse for well drilling and completion (hydraulic fracturing), appropriate sites for disposal/reuse of water, development of systems to manage the produced water streams, and differing challenges for gas versus oil producers. This 279-page Bulletin covers research and results of the Utah Geological SurveyÕs study of the geology, chemistry, and best practices related to produced water in the Uinta Basin. It includes (1) descriptions and maps of Uinta Basin reservoirs and aquifers, (2) statistical trends of the basinÕs water quality, and (3) overviews of produced-water facilities and recommendations for best handling practices. Appendices provide complete data compilations either collected or generated as part of this study. The report provides a framework to address the divergent water uses and disposal interests of various stakeholders and will help industry, particularly small producers, and regulators make optimum management decisions. The report also offers sound scientific information to allay public concerns about the potential for drinking-water contamination from hydraulic fracturing and production operations.

Other Information: 7 Appendices
Published: 2017
Pages: 279
Plates: 3
Scale:
Location: Utah
Media Type: Paper Publication