Geosynthetic liners help manage water issues

摘要

The use of common landfill techniques can help operators better control wastewater impacts on the environment. Water impact in shale hydraulic fracturing is an issue that just won't go away. A high level of concern by homeowners, communities, political leaders, and regulators threatens the industry's social license to operate in some areas. Many jurisdictions prohibit or restrict shale extraction. In many cases, their concerns focus on water impacts - water sourcing, transportation, and storage of fresh and produced water - in addition to concerns about impacts to groundwater and surface water. This is particularly crucial for operating in the Marcellus and Utica formations of the northeastern US. Many oil and gas executives that may be based in the dryer, flatter areas of Texas and Oklahoma experience a new reality when they come to Pennsylvania. They find that hilly terrain often causes a need for cut-and-fill operations to build water impoundments. Frequent rainfall and soft soils result in slope stability, maintenance, and erosion control issues. In many cases, the drillsites are remote, and the hills block cellular communication, making emergency response difficult. This means managing water is one of the key success factors for shale oil and gas extraction. Companies that develop water management skills and a reputation for managing water effectively stand a better chance of faster regulatory approvals as well as fewer reputation- and environment-damaging unplanned releases.