Ports-to-Plains Energy Summit Omni Interlocken Resort Broomfield, CO April 7, 2011 Hydraulic fracturing has been in the news lately. Learn exactly what the process is and how it is impacting economic growth and energy security.

1. Hydraulic Fracturing and Water
Ports-to-Plains Alliance
2011 Energy Summit
April 7–8, 2011
John Harju
Associate Director for Research
© 2010 University of North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center.

2. Background
• Water is the most critical limiting resource throughout the
world.
• Sustainable water supplies are needed for:
– Energy production.
– Growing and processing high-value crops.
– Industrial manufacturing.
– Expanding populations.
• As population grows and demand for food, water,
energy, and manufactured goods increases, competition
for existing water supplies will increase.
EERC . . . The International Center for Applied Energy Technology

3. Increasing Water Use for Hydraulic
Fracturing
• The percentage of nonconventional oil and gas
resources, such as shale gas and tight oil, continues
to increase in our domestic production.
• Hydraulic fracturing, and therefore water, is necessary
to harness these resources.
• Large resources include the following:
– Marcellus Shale – Antrim Shale
– Barnett Shale – Haynesville Shale
– Fayetteville Shale – Woodford Shale
– Bakken Formation – Niobrara
– Eagle Ford
EERC . . . The International Center for Applied Energy Technology

5. Projected Domestic Gas Production
EERC . . . The International Center for Applied Energy Technology
Source: Energy Information Administration, 2011, http://www.eia.gov/neic/speeches/newell_12162010.pdf

6. Global Liquids Production
EERC . . . The International Center for Applied Energy Technology
Source: Energy Information Administration, 2011, http://www.eia.gov/neic/speeches/newell_12162010.pdf

7. Projected U.S. Energy Use
EERC . . . The International Center for Applied Energy Technology
Source: Energy Information Administration, 2011, http://www.eia.gov/neic/speeches/newell_12162010.pdf

8. Water Needs for Fraccing
• Fraccing requirements range from
1 to 5 million gallons of freshwater
per well.
• The water is mixed with small
amounts of chemicals (biocides,
polymers, friction reducers) and
proppants prior to injection.
• A percentage of the frac water
returns to the surface (flowback)
and is recovered, disposed of, or
recycled.
– Typically contains dissolved solids
(salts), suspended solids, residual 
EERC . . . The International Center for Applied Energy Technology
hydrocarbons, and chemicals.

9. Options for Flowback Disposal
• Underground injection
• Discharge to a commercial industrial treatment facility
• Discharge to a municipal wastewater treatment plant
• Discharge to surface water bodies, following treatment
• Reuse
– Blending with freshwater
– Recycling
EERC . . . The International Center for Applied Energy Technology

10. Water and Fraccing Issues in the Media
• Water availability, especially in arid and semiarid areas.
• Public perception of how much water is needed for
fraccing.
– 1 million gallons is the daily amount of water used to irrigate
130 acres of farmland (1/4 section) in North Dakota.
• Potential impacts of fraccing on underground supplies
of drinking water.
– Precautions are taken to protect groundwater supplies when a
well is drilled and subsequently fracced.
– Fraccing has been successfully employed for over 60 years.
• Concerns over frac flowback disposal.
EERC . . . The International Center for Applied Energy Technology

11. Marcellus Water Issues
Marcellus Shale
– Public concern over contamination of underground supplies of
drinking water.
• Temporary suspension of high-volume fraccing permits in New
York pending review of industry practices by the New York
Department of Environmental Control.
• Proposed moratoriums on fraccing by the New York State
Legislature and other environmental groups.
– Frac flowback disposal.
• Stricter regulations than some midwestern states.
• Lack of disposal well sites increases water hauling distances
and costs.
• There is also some public concern over safe disposal of frac
flowback.
EERC . . . The International Center for Applied Energy Technology

12. Bakken Water Issues
Lack of freshwater availability for
fraccing:
– Access to Lake Sakakawea is
currently restricted until the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers completes
an environmental impact study.
– Other surface water sources are
limited.
– Groundwater supplies are also
limited, already allocated, and/or
restricted by the North Dakota State
Water Commission.
– Water haulers often wait in long lines
or drive long distances to fill trucks.
EERC . . . The International Center for Applied Energy Technology

13. Bakken Formation Water Issues

14. • The Northern Great Plains Water Consortium
(NGPWC) is a partnership between the
EERC, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE),
and key stakeholders to address critical
issues that impact the water resources of the
northern Great Plains region.
• Stakeholders:
– Electrical power generation
utilities
– Oil and gas companies
– Industry
– Municipalities
– State agencies
– Other interested entities

15. Key NGPWC Goals
• To assess, develop, and demonstrate technologies and
methodologies that optimize water use for energy
production.
• To identify nontraditional water supply sources and
innovative options for water reuse.
EERC . . . The International Center for Applied Energy Technology

16. Example NGPWC Projects
• Evaluation of Bakken flowback recycling.
• Pilot project demonstration of brackish groundwater treatment for
use in Bakken fraccing.
• Funded by DOE, North Dakota Industrial Commission Oil and
Gas Research Council, and North Dakota Petroleum Council.
EERC . . . The International Center for Applied Energy Technology

17. Contact Information
Energy & Environmental Research Center
University of North Dakota
15 North 23rd Street, Stop 9018
Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-9018
World Wide Web: www.undeerc.org
Telephone No. (701) 777-5157
Fax No. (701) 777-5181
John Harju, Associate Director for Research
jharju@undeerc.org
EERC . . . The International Center for Applied Energy Technology