Spatial variability of produced-water quality and alternative-source water analysis applied to the Permian Basin, USA

Chaudhary, Binod K.; Sabie, Robert P.; Engle, Mark A.; Xu, Pei; Willman, Spencer; Carroll, Kenneth C.

Spatial variability of produced-water quality and alternative-source water analysis applied to the Permian Basin, USA | Variabilité spatiale de la qualité de l’eau de production et analyse d’eau de source alternative appliquées au bassin permien, Etats-Unis d’Amérique Variabilidad espacial de la calidad del agua de producción y análisis de aguas de fuentes alternativas aplicadas en la cuenca del Pérmico, EEUU 美国二叠纪盆地油田采出水水质空间变异性及替代水源分析 Variabilidade espacial da qualidade da água produzida e análise de água de fonte alternativa aplicada à Bacia do Permiano, EUA

2019

Interest in both environmental impact and potential beneficial uses of produced water (PW) has increased with growth in unconventional oil and gas production, especially in semi-arid regions, e.g. the Permian Basin, the most productive tight-oil region in the USA. Characterization of PW compositional variability is needed to evaluate environmental impact, treatment, and reuse potential. Geochemical variability of PW from Guadalupian (Middle Permian) to Ordovician formations was statistically and geostatistically evaluated in the western half of the Permian Basin (Delaware Basin, Central Basin Platform, and Northwest Shelf) using the US Geological Survey’s Produced Waters Geochemical Database and the New Mexico Water and Infrastructure Data System. Mean total dissolved solids (TDS) of PW increased with depth in the Delaware Basin and Central Basin Platform to the Delaware and Wolfcamp formations (Guadalupian age). Mean TDS decreased with further increases in depth. In contrast, the mean salinity of PW was significantly higher within the shallow, younger formations (largest mean TDS in the Artesia Formation); TDS decreased with depth below Guadalupian age formations in the Northwest Shelf. Kriged contour maps of TDS and major ions illustrated spatial variability across the three geo-structural regions as a function of depth. The occurrence of meteoric waters in upper and deeper formations across the three regions was significant, and was attributed to Laramide Orogeny and Basin and Range extension uplifting and tilting effects and recent water flooding. These results quantify PW composition variability, and suggest that upon treatment, PW would support some uses such as onsite reuse and mining.

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