The difficulty of widespread water recycling implementation in the fracking industry

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For fracking operations to continue in the future without running against much opposition, more oil and gas producing companies must also consider the environmental effects of their operations. Among the pressing issues in the industry is the heavy use of clean water that could severely deplete the supply in an area. There have been efforts to make the recycling of water used in fracking more widespread but the costs involved have discouraged many companies from implementing such measures.

Oil and gas companies can easily obtain fresh water at a low price. In some estimates, the cost is a little over one cent per gallon. Additionally, in some states like Texas, the disposal of wastewater is much cheaper than the costs of recycling. In comparison, recycling adds costs for additional processes and transport and many companies are unwilling to take those on.

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Necessity has forced many to reconsider, however. For instance, a drought in Texas has convinced more companies to consider produced wastewater as an asset rather than a liability. Meanwhile, the presence of water recyclers in oil fields is noticeably growing but there is still a long way to go before recycling becomes mainstream. With more improvements in this necessary step, what was once considered a revenue-draining requirement may be turned into an opportunity for additional profits.

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Dr. Ali Ghalambor is the author, co-author, and editor of several books and more than 160 technical articles and manuals on hydraulic fracturing and related topics. For more updates on the natural gas industry, visit this Facebook page.

A model for continued fracking operations

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If there is a model state for sustainable oil and gas drilling operations, the current bet is Wyoming. The state encourages oil and gas companies to continue with their fracking operations to extract natural gas, but requires them to do so carefully.

Without a doubt, fracking operations and harvesting natural gas lead to significant economic gains. However, as environmentalists fear, the economic boon could be offset by the dangers the method poses to the environment. Done improperly, fracking could adversely affect the clean water supply in a particular area.

For many states, the choice is between a clean environment and energy. For the energy-friendly state, however, there is a need and desire for both. Wyoming currently ranks at around fourth among states in natural gas production. How has it achieved balance?

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Recently, state legislators approved another energy production regulation issued by Wyoming. It involves one of the country’s strongest requirements for testing water wells around drilling sites to address fears of water contamination due to drilling operations. Previously, Wyoming also became the first state that required the disclosure of some of the chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process. It also recently implemented a measure that required drilling companies to monitor air pollutants at oil and gas production sites.

Implementing a regulation after another may give the impression that Wyoming is making operations hard for oil and gas companies. The aim, however, is to keep the oil and gas industry running smoothly.

Environmental groups are asking for more change but in comparison with other major oil and gas producing states, Wyoming is ahead with its regulations.

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Dr. Ali Ghalambor is the author of the “Well Productivity Handbook,” a reference for petroleum engineers for modeling oil and gas production wells. For more updates on the natural gas industry, visit this Twitter page.