DE-AP26-03NT30489

Goal
The goal of this project is to reduce the costs while increasing the efficiency and maintaining the environmental protection of managing coalbed natural gas (CBNG) produced water through the use of unlined infiltration ponds across the Powder River Basin (PRB). This research is intended to enhance the understanding and use of infiltration systems in the PRB, reducing the reliance on more costly produced water management options such as deep injection and treatment of produced water.

Click here to view a flash animation of a coalbed natural gas infiltration pond.
After the animation loads, use the black arrow button to move through the screens.
Animation courtesy ALL Consulting LLC, Tulsa, OK

Performers
ALL, LLC
Tulsa, OK

Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation
Billings, MT

Results
The research to date has led to the development of several technical papers, technical presentations, and the initiation of an interactive web tool for siting impoundments in the PRB. The papers prepared to date include draft papers on anticipated impacts from the operation of CBNG produced-water infiltration systems and on siting, design, and construction of CBNG pro-duced-water infiltration systems. Final papers have also be developed related to hydrologic resources of the PRB relative to CBNG development and the feasibility of re-injecting CBNG produced water.

The papers completed to date provide scientific and statistical analysis of the hydrologic systems of the PRB related to CBNG produced water and infiltration systems, which can be used to deflate misinformation that is prevalent in news media. The Best Management Practices guidebook on infiltration system design and construction and anticipated impacts will help operators, landowners, and regulators. Operators and landowners can consult the guidebook for information on siting infiltration systems with reduced environmental impact while trying to maximize benefits to both parties. Regulators can use the guidebook to aid in the regulatory decision process.

In addition to the guidebook, the development of a geographic information system (GIS)-based web tool will further enable operators, landowners, and regulators to assess future infiltration site locations. The web tool could be used to assess a variety of key components of the natural environment to assist in determining potential impacts from infiltration systems and identify locations with more-conducive conditions for the optimization of infiltration systems as a produced-water management technology.

Benefits
The papers completed to date provide scientific and statistical analysis of the hydrologic systems of the PRB related to CBNG produced water and infiltration systems, which can be used to deflate misinformation that is prevalent in news media. The BMP guidebook on infiltration system design and construction and anticipated impacts will help operators, landowners, and regulators. Operators and landowners can consult the guidebook for information on siting infiltration systems with reduced environmental impact while trying to maximize benefits to both parties. Regulators can use the guidebook to aid in the regulatory decision making process.

In addition to the guidebook, the development of a geographic information system (GIS)-based web tool will further enable operators, landowners, and regulators to assess future infiltration site locations. The web tool could be used to assess a variety of key components of the natural environment to assist in determining potential impacts from infiltration systems and identify locations with more-conducive conditions for the optimization of infiltration systems as a produced-water management technology.

Background
The PRB CBNG play is one of the most rapidly expanding gas plays in the United States. Since the late 1990s, more than 12,000 CBNG wells have been installed that produce in excess of 25 billion cubic feet of gas per month. Associated with the production of natural gas from PRB CBNG wells is the production of large volumes of variable-quality produced water that must be managed appropriately. The CBNG industry has struggled to find economic means of managing the produced water in an evolving regulatory environment. The rapid expansion of the PRB CBNG industry has led to a reactionary environment where produced-water management regulations and monitoring guidance are being developed as a result of limited monitoring data and limited investigation into the duration and extent of these changes.

Infiltration systems and impoundments are being used across the more heavily developed Wyoming portion of the PRB as means to economically manage produced water. These systems typically comprise unlined on-channel dams or off-channel pits that retain produced water and allow it to infiltrate into the subsurface. Infiltration systems in their simplest form (unlined pits or dammed drainage ways) are inexpensive means to prevent water from directly discharging into surface waters, allowing the water to evaporate or infiltrate into the subsurface. Regulators and citizens groups have expressed concerns as to the fate of infiltrating produced water.

Summary
The following tasks have been accomplished or are anticipated to be completed as the project progresses:

• Data collection to date has been completed relative to size, location, and design of impoundments in the PRB; collection of spatial data for the PRB; summary of the regulatory environment associated with CBNG produced-water management as it relates to infiltration systems; and field visits to various infiltration sites in the PRB. Data collection is ongoing relative to the collection of water quality-related data from monitoring points in and around infiltration systems, with field activities planned for spring 2006.
• Data analysis is ongoing relative to the incorporation of spatial data into a GIS-based web tool, the anticipated impacts of CBNG infiltration systems, and the design, construction, and operations BMPs for CBNG infiltration systems.
• A document has been prepared for submittal for publication by the Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC). The document presents a technical analysis of the potential for reinjection of CBNG produced water using either Class II or Class V wells, with analysis of the effect reinjection would have on future CBNG production. The availability of injection zones is described, as is a discussion of the site-spe-cific evaluations that must be considered with reinjection.
• The development of a summary guidebook and a web tool (www.all-llc.com/asp/infiltration) for the siting, design, construction, and operations of CBNG infiltration systems is ongoing. The guidebook provides a summary of the hydrologic and regulatory environment of the PRB relative to CBNG production, out lines the evolution of CBNG produced-water management practices, describes potential analysis that can be used in siting and designing CBNG infiltration systems, and furnishes BMPs for the design, construction, and operations of CBNG infiltration systems. Comments are being received through January 2006, and once the comments have been reviewed, a final version of the document will be available.

Current Status (January 2006)
The project is currently in the second quarter of its third year.

Funding
This project was a sole-source contract as a follow-up to the BMP and technologies developed under DOE DE-FG26-02NT15380.

Publications
ALL Consulting and Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation, Draft Construction, Design, and Reclamation Guidebook for CBNG Impoundments, November 2005.

ALL Consulting, Surface Water and Groundwater Resources of the Powder River Basin and Implications for CBNG Development, SPE submittal, April 2005.

ALL Consulting, Feasibility of Re-Injection of Coalbed Natural Gas Produced Water in the Powder River Basin, GWPC submittal, November 2004.

Project Start: July 10, 2003
Project End: July 9, 2006

Anticipated DOE Contribution: $1,285,110
Performer Contribution: $400,000 (40% of total)

Other Government Organizations Involved
Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
Bureau of Land Management

Contact Information
NETL - Rhonda Jacobs (rhonda.jacobs@netl.doe.gov or 918-699-2037)
ALL - Dan Arthur (darthur@ALL-LLC.com or 918-382-7581)

Site-specific field evaluation practices can be used for the siting of impoundment locations. Activities may include the identification of suitable topography and analysis of soil characteristics from trenching and boreholes.

CBNG impoundment from the PRB in Wyoming located on-channel by means of a simple dam on the downgradient end of a small draw.