Collaborative Strategies for Detecting and Avoiding Water-resource ...

Federal Unconventional Oil and GasHydraulic Fracturing Science PlanningMaryland Water Monitoring Council WorkshopMcHenry, MD, October 22, 2012Peter S. Murdoch, Regional Science Advisor, NE RegionU.S. Geological Survey

Collaborative strategies for detecting andavoiding water‐resource disturbance fromshale gas developmentMaryland Water Monitoring Council WorkshopMcHenry, MD, October 22, 2012Peter S. Murdoch, Regional Science Advisor, NE RegionU.S. Geological Survey

Comprehensive Science Plan For theAppalachian Basin Region• Goal: Facilitate a joint Federal, State,Academic, and Industry approach toevaluate current and potentialenvironmental effects of shale gasproduction in the Marcellus and UticaShale Plays.• Our Intent: To recommend acollaborative science strategy thatidentifies the essential conditionassessments, research, and monitoringfor addressing potential environmentalimpacts of shale‐gas development, andways to minimize that impact

Agency Representatives• EPA• DOE• DOI• ACE• USDA

Science Objective: Response toSocietal Questions• Will shale gas development degrade our rivers,lakes, wetlands, and groundwater?• Will shale-gas development or associatedwaste disposal cause earthquakes?• Will gas development degrade indoor oroutdoor air quality?• How will development alter the landscape,wildlife habitat, and rural communities?• How likely are the risks?• Are there ways to develop shale gas withoutthese risks? Where are we most vulnerable?

The Plan: Focus on Key ScienceQuestions• 9 Key Thematic Science Issues–– The Hydrogeologic Framework– Water availability (how much, where)– Water quality– Induced Seismicity– Air quality (gas source and occurrence)– Landscape integrity– Biological resources (plant and animal)– Human Health– Ecosystem Services

Appalachian Basin Science PlanPurpose & Scope• Chapters to address each Key Science Issue:• Background• Science questions and associated research orassessment strategies• New Data and Research Requirements• Anticipated work products and decision‐support tools• Anticipate, Detect, and Mitigate Degradation ofnatural resources

Effect on Water AvailabilitySurface water and groundwater withdrawals forShale-gas extraction activities may have animpact on human and ecological needs.Design:•Compilation of water‐use information•Apply Water Use models: Water AnalysisScreening Tool (WAST) fordescribing/predicting water use•Assess and redesign the SW and GWnetworks in the Appalachian Basin•Build dataset of ecological flow needs•Adjust for climate change estimates• WetlandsPhoto Courtesy of Susquehanna River BasinCommission

Effects on Water QualityProblem: Shale-gas development may result inwater quality degradation through introductionand/or release of :• Brines from produced waters• Naturally occurring radionuclidematerials (NORM)• Stray gas (methane)• Organic Constituents in flowbackwaters• Sediment from landscapedisturbance*Each treated as a separate issue inplan

Effects of Flowback WatersIn each Assessment Area-– Map flowback quality from existing data– Establish an isotope signature “Library”(Marcellus, Utica, Shallow lenses)– Fill gaps in spatial database, Define the 7proposed assessment areas.– Identify organic compounds in each alreadydeveloping assessment area. Characterize bydepth.

Unconventional Oil & GasExtraction Impacts On theLandscapeHighest visibility:• Drinking water contamination• Roads and pad erosion• Induced Seismicity• Landscape Fragmentation/Disruption• Ecological Flows• Water Availability• Geomorphology and sediment issues• Disinfection byproducts/flowback treatment

Leveraging Ongoing Work: The EPA plan forstudying Hydraulic Fracturing Impacts onDrinking Water SuppliesPlan for Monitoring before,during, and after drillingDeveloping a waterqualitybaseline for abroad sweep ofparametersStarting study sites:Range Resources, Inc.drilling well nearPittsburgh airport.

A Varied and Complex Province• Structure varies watershed towatershed• Multiple sources of “stray” gas• Ecosystem resilience thresholds vary• Abandoned wells, current uses, etcBoth vertically and horizontally variable

Example: Defining the True BaselineArea shown in JacobiArea shown inStone and WebsterFault Map in the New York Shale GasEnvironmental Impact Statement

119Nitrogen in (Mg/L7531Indicator Stations , Susquehanna River Basin

Putting Fixed Sites in a Regional ContextMedian summer nitrogen concentrations from indicator fixed sitesare shown where they intersect the study-unit distribution.

Science Challenges• Appalachian Hydro-Geology iscomplex and poorly understood• Natural system masked by historicand current development• Reference conditions poorly defined• Studies in a few watersheds will notprovide the scope of informationneeded for the region.Unconventional Oil and Gasdevelopment requiresunconventional scientificassessment methods

Assessment Strategy1) Describe baseline conditions: Hydrogeologic, geochemical, landscape,and biological and ecological characteristics2) Determine the geochemical signatures: Geochemical characteristicsand volume of waste products including drill cuttings and flowback3) Determine Current Development Effects: Distribution and flowpaths offreshwater, saltwater, and gas above the Marcellus; induced seismicity;landscape changes4) Understand potential contaminant sources and pathways: includingsurface spills, waste disposal, poorly sealed wells, abandoned wells,natural fractures, and induced fractures5) Understand, map, and track the risks: air and water quality, inducedseismicity, associated health risks, habitat, monitoringLeverage, share, and collaborate

What is the stratigraphic and lithologic framework,and how does it affect hydrocarbon occurrence,migration, and the potential contamination offreshwater aquifers?Recommendations:– Assessment of existing data and gaps– Characterize first 1000 ft- through salt/fresh interface– Characterize heads, permeability above the Marcellus andUtica shales (3000-5000 ft). (incremental profiles)– Map surface lineaments by remote sensing (lidar)– Ground truth with seismic, relation to QW

• Leverage existingdata collection sites• Leverage long-termrecords• Integratelocal/regional needs• Try to establishinter-disciplinarywatershed -scaleframes of reference

Implement the BaselineAssessmentSelect indicator measurements for defining baselineenvironmental and geologic conditions across theplay, and fingerprinting source waters.(e.g. salinity, methane, salamanders)•Compile/Assess existing data for 1 st Indicators•Studies may be needed to define some indicators•Fill gaps with surveys where needed•Create GIS coverages of existing conditions, andrecommend optimized monitoring

Assessment Strategy Continueda)Establish multipleintegrated researchwatersheds:a)Leverage existingprogramb)Represent a gradientof conditionsc)Leverage existingresearch

Watershed ApproachInputsOutputs

Assessment Strategy Continueda)Establish earlywarningmonitoring:a) Integrated datacollection acrossspatial andtemporal scalesb) Pick stations andcore variablesbased on researchc) Track changes inbaseline conditions

Multi-scale Integrated Observationand ResearchPercent of PopulationIndicator Concentration/ConditionDefining status and trends throughdefining the range of population changes

Upper Delaware River and Tributaries:Linked spatial and temporal observing

Conclusions• The science recommended in thisplan is not an optional luxury, butrather an opportunity for both costeffectiveand safe development.• Unconventional energy developmentrequires unconventional science thatintegrates from local to regionalscales, and across disciplines.• A strong foundation of research andmonitoring is available to get startedif collaborations are established.

The Road Ahead• Complete draft of Federal recommendations byNovember 15• Open for review and revision by broaderpartners (States, Industry, NGOs, etc)• Begin implementation steps by Spring of 2013

Groundwater• Models have limited regional extension• Determining the pressure gradients• Mapping preferential flowpaths• Mapping shallow gas traps• Where is the gas in shallow Devonian strata?Were grouting off the freshwater aquifer and notgrouting till production zone – grouted there.Created 1000 feet of annular space not sealed.Use west-bay to assess pressure gradients abovethe marcellus, along transect N to S.

Water Quality ParametersContaminant concerns:• TDS, Cl, Br, Ba, Sr, B, As, Ra, other radionuclides…• Hydrofracking adjuvants (e.g. organic contaminants)• Suspended sediments and associated contaminants• Acid sulfate generation• Dissolved gases (e.g. methane, ethane, otherorganics)• Disinfection/treatment byproducts (e.g. Bromoform)

Appalachian Shale-Gas Science PlanThe Basics• A regional response to the National Federal Plan• Calls for integrated study of the environmental effects ofMarcellus and Utica Shale Gasproduction• Regional Coverage is 3 River basins: Delaware, Ohio, andSusquehanna• Considers observed and potential environmental effects• Leverages multiple Federal programs – e.g.. CBP, LCCs,CO2 sequestration, Forest Inventory and Analyses (FIA),Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP)• Planned partners with industry, States, NGOs, Academia

Selecting Research Topics andLocationsSelect study locations with Industry for sciencequestions that require new research to answer.Recommendations:•Leverage existing infrastructure and knowledge•Represent the 7 regions and 3 rivers (Susquehanna,Ohio, and Delaware)•Locations for combining studies within an integratinglandscape (eg a watershed)•Include locations with a range of development

Water Data Collection SolutionsUnconventional Oil and Gasdevelopment requiresunconventional assessment methods– Nested observations– Co-located research along conditiongradients (“extensive watershedapproach”)– Track trends at multiple flow regimes– Carefully integrate existing and newdata– Model based on actual data

Water Quality ScienceNeeds• Baseline WQ monitoring and assessments (streamsand groundwaters)• Compilation of industry - provided data.• Source and migration studies (chemical/isotopicsignatures; tracers)• Fresh/brackish groundwater interface monitoring.

Assessment Strategya) Describe baseline conditions: Compile and integrate existing dataa) Are the data comparable in quality and measurement units?b) Are there spatial and temporal gaps that preclude regionalassessment?c) What science questions cannot be answered by existing datab) Determine key gaps in understanding: Compile and integrate existingknowledgea) What are the key science questions that still need answers?b) Where are those studies best done, and by what methods?

Assessment Strategya) Determine the initial Science Questions: Our “known unknowns”a) Describe baseline conditions: Compile and integrate existing dataa) Are the data comparable in quality and measurement units?b) Are there spatial and temporal gaps that preclude regionalassessment?c) What science questions cannot be answered by existing datab) Determine key gaps in understanding: Compile and integrate existingknowledgea) What are the key science questions that still need answers?b) Where are those studies best done, and by what methods?

Step 1:Organizing A Science FrameworkDefine a set of logical study regions that, ifdescribed, would represent the range of energydevelopment effects we might expect. Proposedcriteria:• Different geologic conditions affecting gasdevelopment and extraction• Extent of existing energy development(heavily developed, just starting, historical,non‐developed)

QW issues• increased sedimentation from landscapedisturbances, brine wastes drawn up the wellsthat contain high concentrations of totaldissolved solids (TDS), salts, and trace elementsincluding naturally‐occurring radioactivematerials (NORMs), man‐made organiccompounds, dissolved methane, and otherinorganic constituents and organic compounds inthe solid (cuttings, muds, sludges) and liquid(flowback or produced waters) wastes.

Putting Fixed Sites in a RegionalContextPotomac River BasinIndicator SitesMuddy CreekPotomac Study UnitCumlative Distributionfrom EMAPMonocacyCatoctin Cr.S. Fork S. Br. Potomac Accotink CreekMedian summer nitrogen concentrations from indicator fixed sitesare shown where they intersect the study-unit distribution.

• Landscapechange• Gas releases• Watercontamination• Earthquakes• Water Use• Pipelines• Traffic• Communitydisruption• Permanence

What is the stratigraphic and lithologic framework,and how does it affect hydrocarbon occurrence,migration, and the potential contamination offreshwater aquifers?Recommendations:– Assessment of existing data and gaps– Characterize first 1000 ft- through salt/fresh interface– Characterize heads, permeability above the Marcellus andUtica shales (3000-5000 ft). (incremental profiles)– Map surface lineaments by remote sensing (lidar)– Ground truth with seismic, relation to QW

Utica Shale Gas Allocation Units

Presidential ExecutiveOrder• Signed April 13 to coordinate Federal activities tosupport safe and responsible development ofdomestic natural gas resources• High‐level interagency working group to promoteclose interagency coordination• Coordinate sharing of information• Coordinate plans for long‐term research, resourceassessment, and infrastructure development

Interagency Memorandumof Agreement• Also signed in April• Promote multi‐agency collaboration onunconventional oil and gas production amongDepartment of the Interior, Department ofEnergy, US Environmental Protection Agency• Each agency focuses on core capabilities• Steering Committee• Formal research plan and annual report

Multi‐Year National Research Plan• In early 2013, the agencies will publish a Research Plan that will:• Analyze and synthesize the state of knowledge• Identify, categorize, and prioritize research topics• Identify gaps in available data• Identify research milestones and deliverables• Describe steps to maximize stakeholder participation• Determine future plans and objectives• The agencies will seek stakeholder and public comment on adraft of the Research Plan.48

Research Plan Areas49

119Nitrogen in (Mg/L7531Indicator Stations , Susquehanna River Basin

Putting Fixed Sites in a Regional ContextMedian summer nitrogen concentrations from indicator fixed sitesare shown where they intersect the study-unit distribution.

Marcellus Shale Gas 2011 AssessmentTotal Mean = 84.2 TCFG + 3.4 BBL NGL = 103.8 TCFeUSGS Fact Sheet 2011–3092

Utica Shale Gas 2012 Assessment

New Infrastructure Growth• PA DEP approved first new power plant to useMarcellus gas – Bradford County –Oct. 10• Marathon to build truck‐to‐barge loadingfacility at Wellsville, Ohio to take Utica Shaleliquids to Catlettsburg, KY for refining• Former Sunoco refinery in Marcus Hook, PA toprocess Marcellus Shale propane and ethane

Activities Leading to Comprehensive Plan• Federal Program Priorities and Concerns• Delaware River Basin Commission Draft Regs• Congressional Interest and Concerns• June 2010 PA Geological Survey Workshop• 50 Federal & State Participants• Form a Federal Shale Gas Working Group –Forum forCoordinating Federal Activities with States, NGOs,Industry, and Academia• USGS Authors Workshop January 9‐11, 2012• Federal Partners Workshops, June & August,2012

Appalachian Shale Comprehensive PlanKey Thematic Science Issues• Hydrogeologic Framework• Water Availability• Water Quality• Air Quality• Induced Seismicity• Landscape Changes• Biological Resources