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Hydraulic Fracturing and Drinking Water Resources: Update on EPA Hydraulic Fracturing Study
Citation:
PULS, R. Hydraulic Fracturing and Drinking Water Resources: Update on EPA Hydraulic Fracturing Study. Presented at AEHS Conference - Soils, Sediments, Water, and Energy, Amherst, MA, October 17 - 20, 2011.
Impact/Purpose:
Presentation for the AEHS Conferenceat the University of Mass., Amherst MA. (“ Soils, Sediments, Water and Energy”) - October 17-20, 2011
Description:
Natural gas plays a key role in our nation's energy future and the process known as hydraulic fracturing (HF) is one way of accessing that resource. Over the past few years, several key technical, economic, and energy developments have spurred increased use of HF for gas extraction over a wider diversity of geographic regions and geologic formations. Advances in horizontal drilling technologies and new hydraulic fracturing fluid compositions have greatly increased the extraction efficiency for shale gas development. Along with the expansion of HF, there have been increasing concerns about its potential impacts on drinking water resources, and public health in the vicinity of these facilities. In its Fiscal Year 2010 budget report, the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriation Conference Committee identified the need for a focused study of this topic by the Environmental Protection Agency. Key questions to be addressed by the study are: • Under what hydraulic fracturing scenarios might drinking water resources be adversely impacted? • What approaches are effective for protecting drinking water resources throughout each stage of the hydraulic fracturing lifespan? Objectives of the study are: • Identify vulnerability factors and risks relevant to hydraulic fracturing and protection of water resources • Document and assess factors that affect the vulnerability of water resources throughout the hydraulic fracturing lifespan • Produce tools that can be used to support decisions relevant to hydraulic fracturing and protection of water resources A case study approach together with collection and analysis of existing data will be used to accomplish these objectives. Seven case study locations were announced in July 2011. Research activities have now been initiated on most of these locations. The case studies will allow collection of new data on a site-specific and regional scale. This presentation will summarize field case study goals, objectives and efforts to date.