Temporal Trends in Freshwater Withdrawals for Hydraulic Fracturing in the Marcellus Shale

Abstract:

Development of the Marcellus Shale, the nation’s largest shale gas producing formation, is estimated to use two to seven million gallons of water per well. Because Marcellus Shale wells are located in relatively water-rich areas, there has been less pressure in the region to recycle and reuse freshwater sourced from surface water streams for stimulating new wells. We review trends in actual freshwater withdrawals from surface water streams over time, and examine which regulations are most protective of flows intra- and inter-annually. Pass-by flow protective requirements appear to be most effective when set based on monthly flows, rather than annual flows, though not all regulatory agencies are using this protective mechanism. Total water use by industry in a shale play doesn’t appear to follow trends of seasonal availability until three to five years after development begins in that play, and intensity of water use from surface water withdrawal sites appears to decrease over time. Trends in water use can be tied to a number of factors including changing gas prices and demand (number of wells hydraulically fractured), increasing length of laterals, increasing recycling rates, increasing industrial efficiency, and others.