Composite Geochemical Database for Coalbed Methane Produced Water Quality in the Rocky Mountain Region
- 17 August 2011
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Chemical Society (ACS) in Environmental Science & Technology
- Vol. 45 (18), 7655-7663
- https://doi.org/10.1021/es201021n
Abstract
Coalbed methane (CBM) or coalbed natural gas (CBNG) is an unconventional natural gas resource with large reserves in the United States (US) and worldwide. Production is limited by challenges in the management of large volumes of produced water. Due to salinity of CBM produced water, it is commonly reinjected into the subsurface for disposal. Utilization of this nontraditional water source is hindered by limited knowledge of water quality. A composite geochemical database was created with 3255 CBM wellhead entries, covering four basins in the Rocky Mountain region, and resulting in information on 64 parameters and constituents. Database water composition is dominated by sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride type waters with total dissolved solids concentrations of 150 to 39,260 mg/L. Constituents commonly exceeding standards for drinking, livestock, and irrigation water applications were total dissolved solids (TDS), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), temperature, iron, and fluoride. Chemical trends in the basins are linked to the type of coal deposits, the rank of the coal deposits, and the proximity of the well to fresh water recharge. These water composition trends based on basin geology, hydrogeology, and methane generation pathway are relevant to predicting water quality compositions for beneficial use applications in CBM-producing basins worldwide.Keywords
This publication has 16 references indexed in Scilit:
- Molecular sequences derived from Paleocene Fort Union Formation coals vs. associated produced waters: Implications for CBM regenerationInternational Journal of Coal Geology, 2008
- Chemical and stable isotopic evidence for water/rock interaction and biogenic origin of coalbed methane, Fort Union Formation, Powder River Basin, Wyoming and Montana U.S.A.International Journal of Coal Geology, 2008
- Infiltration from an impoundment for coal‐bed natural gas, Powder River Basin, Wyoming: Evolution of water and sediment chemistryWater Resources Research, 2008
- Biodegradation of sedimentary organic matter associated with coalbed methane in the Powder River and San Juan Basins, U.S.A.International Journal of Coal Geology, 2008
- Produced Water in the Western United States: Geographical Distribution, Occurrence, and CompositionEnvironmental Engineering Science, 2008
- Hydrodynamics of coalbed methane reservoirs in the Black Warrior Basin: Key to understanding reservoir performance and environmental issuesApplied Geochemistry, 2007
- Geochemical signature of formation waters associated with coalbed methaneAAPG Bulletin, 2003
- Culling criteria for “standard” formation water analysesApplied Geochemistry, 1994
- Characterization of coal-derived hydrocarbons and source-rock potential of coal beds, San Juan Basin, New Mexico and Colorado, U.S.A.International Journal of Coal Geology, 1989
- OCEANIC CO2 SYSTEM: AN EVALUATION OF TEN METHODS OF INVESTIGATION1Limnology and Oceanography, 1969