Life Cycle Management of Future Waste Challenges for Shale Development in Pennsylvania

 

View the Life Cycle Management of Future Waste Challenges for Shale Development in Pennsylvania
Final Report - July 2015

The Shale Alliance for Energy Research Pennsylvania (SAFER PA) conducted a study of projected future trends of wastes production from shale gas resources development in Pennsylvania in accordance with a Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Protection grant. SAFER applied a life cycle modeling analysis to assess the magnitude and the long-term implications of wastes generated during shale gas development and production operations, and identify potential options for addressing the impacts of these wastes. This study can serve as a preamble to discussions of how Pennsylvania will address shale-related waste challenges, so that prudent decisions and action can be taken to proactively and effectively manage waste production from shale gas development over the decades of drilling to come. The primary focus of this study is on the challenge of excess (non-recycled) produced water generated when shale gas is produced. Solid wastes comprised mostly of drill cuttings are also considered, while air emissions are not quantified for the purposes of this study (this could be the topic of future study). The report includes recommendations for further investigation of the alternative waste management and treatment options.

 

 

This report was prepared by Shale Alliance for Energy Research Pennsylvania (“SAFER”) for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Protection (the “Commonwealth”). Neither SAFER, the members of SAFER, the Commonwealth, nor any person acting on behalf of any of them:

• Makes any warranty or representation, express or implied with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained in this report, or that the use of any information, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report may not infringe privately-owned rights. The information presented in this report is based on SAFER’s opinions from a review of existing published reports, oil and gas well databases, industry sources and other data sources. It should be recognized that this study was not intended to be a definitive investigation of the presented potential options for addressing waste challenges in Pennsylvania. The scope of services for this study was limited and should not be construed as a guarantee by SAFER that the potential options presented can be successfully developed for addressing waste challenges discussed in this study. The data presented in this study report are subject to change and a present-day download of the same data set from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection web site referenced in this report may be different than the data set used to complete this report.

• Assumes any liability with respect to the use of, or for any and all damages resulting from the use of, any information, apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report; any other use of, or reliance on, this report by any third party is at the third party's sole risk.

 

The contents of this report, including its findings and conclusions, do not represent the opinions of the Commonwealth​