The use of fresh water is critical for natural gas producers operating in the Barnett Shale, Fort Worth Basin. This play is expected to remain as an active growth area for the next 20 years—and possibly beyond. As a consequence the industry faces mounting costs, logistical challenges and public concerns over the potential magnitude of fresh water use. Such concerns are exacerbated by frequent drought conditions, because they can reduce the storage of surface water reservoirs, stress groundwater aquifer storage and increase demand on groundwater resources. (See An Assessment of Present and Projected Fresh Water Use, 2007)
In 2009, the Committee commissioned an update to its 2007 study that refers to how on-going activities by natural gas producers to use fresh water more efficiently could reduce the demand for fresh water. Fresh water for drilling purposes (surface and groundwater) is expected to represent less than 1 ½ percent of total basin-wide surface water use during years that drilling activity is at its peak. (See an Update and Prognosis on the Use of Fresh Water Resources in the Development of Fort Worth Basin Barnett Shale Natural Gas Reserves, 2009) |
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