Journal article 1203 views
Organic compounds in produced waters from shale gas wells
Samuel J. Maguire-Boyle,
Andrew Barron 
Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, Volume: 16, Issue: 10, Pages: 2237 - 2248
Swansea University Author:
Andrew Barron
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DOI (Published version): 10.1039/C4EM00376D
Abstract
A detailed analysis is reported of the organic composition of produced water samples from typical shale gas wells in the Marcellus (PA), Eagle Ford (TX), and Barnett (NM) formations. The quality of shale gas produced (and frac flowback) waters is a current environmental concern and disposal problem...
| Published in: | Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts |
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| ISSN: | 2050-7887 2050-7895 |
| Published: |
2014
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa22208 |
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| Abstract: |
A detailed analysis is reported of the organic composition of produced water samples from typical shale gas wells in the Marcellus (PA), Eagle Ford (TX), and Barnett (NM) formations. The quality of shale gas produced (and frac flowback) waters is a current environmental concern and disposal problem for producers. Re-use of produced water for hydraulic fracturing is being encouraged; however, knowledge of the organic impurities is important in determining the method of treatment. The metal content was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Mineral elements are expected depending on the reservoir geology and salts used in hydraulic fracturing; however, significant levels of other transition metals and heavier main group elements are observed. The presence of scaling elements (Ca and Ba) is related to the pH of the water rather than total dissolved solids (TDS). Using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of the chloroform extracts of the produced water samples, a plethora of organic compounds were identified. In each water sample, the majority of organics are saturated (aliphatic), and only a small fraction comes under aromatic, resin, and asphaltene categories. Unlike coalbed methane produced water it appears that shale oil/gas produced water does not contain significant quantities of polyaromatic hydrocarbons reducing the potential health hazard. Marcellus and Barnett produced waters contain predominantly C6–C16 hydrocarbons, while the Eagle Ford produced water shows the highest concentration in the C17–C30 range. The structures of the saturated hydrocarbons identified generally follows the trend of linear > branched > cyclic. Heterocyclic compounds are identified with the largest fraction being fatty alcohols, esters, and ethers. However, the presence of various fatty acid phthalate esters in the Barnett and Marcellus produced waters can be related to their use in drilling fluids and breaker additives rather than their presence in connate fluids. Halogen containing compounds are found in each of the water samples, and although the fluorocarbon compounds identified are used as tracers, the presence of chlorocarbons and organobromides formed as a consequence of using chlorine containing oxidants (to remove bacteria from source water), suggests that industry should concentrate on non-chemical treatments of frac and produced waters. |
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| Item Description: |
The 1st detailed analysis of the organic composition of produced water from shale gas wells, the results showed the majority of organics are saturated (few aromatics, resins, and asphaltenes). The presence of various drilling fluid and breaker additives was detected. The groundbreaking analysis suggests that industry should concentrate on non-chemical treatments of frac and produced waters. The results were key data for a French Government report on fracking. It has received 99 citations, a top 5% Altmetric rank of all output with a value of 120, 57,864 followers on Twitter, and was picked up by 10 news outlets. The results led to the development of new regulations in US and commercialization of membrane water treatment for frack water. It is the key work that led to the K(SU)2 collaborative worth £600,000 to ESRI. Invited talks: ECOBALT 2018 Vilnius, Lithuania, Oct 2018, Korean-American Energy E&P Society Meeting, USA, and Shell Technology Center Produced Water Symposium in Galveston, USA. Worldwide Eco-Corporation (samer@wwecocorp.com) built demo for desalination pretreatment in Pakistan; Audeh Group (saad.audeh@audeh-group.com) for water treatment in UAE. |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Issue: |
10 |
| Start Page: |
2237 |
| End Page: |
2248 |