THE WATER INTENSITY AND WATER QUALITY FOOTPRINT OF SHALE GAS EXTRACTION

The water requirements and intensity of unconventional oil and gas extraction are large and depend strongly on the scale of comparison. In this talk I will compare production estimates and decline curves for unconventional natural gas and oil wells, two important criteria for comparing environmental footprints on a unit-energy basis. I will next examine water requirements and water intensity, comparing them to values for other fuels such as coal, nuclear, and renewables. I will also discuss water quality issues accompanying unconventional oil and gas extraction, including wastewater disposal. Finally, I will cover some positive water trends across the industry, particularly increased water reuse and recycling.