Penn State Cooperative Extension Marcellus Shale Educational Webinar Series

Answered to Unanswered Questions

Water Use and Water Re-use/Recycling in Marcellus Shale Gas Exploration and Production

October 21, 2010 Webinar

Dave Yoxtheimer, Penn State University, and Tony Gaudlip, Range Resources

1. Other than dilution, have you had any success reducing TDS to EPA standards on site? 

GE and some other companies are developing mobile evaporator units that could be capable of meeting PaDEP’s 

TDS standard of 500 mg/L; however for re-use purposes the flowback water does not need to be treated to 

these levels.

2. Why bird netting? 

Geese, ducks, and other water birds may find the impoundments to be attractive to land in, therefore the bird 

netting is intended to keep them out of water that may not be healthy for them.

3. When secondary recovery is done, is the pressure used higher than the original formation pressure? 

To hydraulically fracture a well the pressure must be greater than the ambient formation pressure to initiate and 

propagate the fractures. Secondary recovery is more so a term applied to oil recovery where the oil is displaced 

by water, or gases such as carbon dioxide, and would need to be at least nominally higher in pressure for 

hydrocarbon displacement. 

4. Would withdrawal with upstream Augmentation work for the industry? 

Meaning if an upstream water source, i.e.: municipal well, reservoir, farmers pond; could be used to augment a 

stream, couldn’t that water be then withdrawn from a downstream point? This would save some trucking costs 

in some cases. In theory it could, however there would be some regulatory considerations there from PaDEP 

and SRBC. Ideally if there’s water available upstream, then there would be more available downstream due to 

tributaries and additional base flow.

5. What treatment processes are being used to remove total dissolved solids from the spent water? 

Primarily evaporative/distillation technologies to meet PaDEP standards, however filtration and chemical 

treatments are being used to remove metals for reuse purposes, but do not have much TDS removal effect.

6. What precautions are taken to ensure invasive species are not being introduced through surface withdrawals as 

well as through the movement of equipment/water? 

The Marcellus Shale Coalition has been working with the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission, PaDEP, and SRBC to 

develop protocols to ensure all equipment is disinfected so that invasive species are not spread from one 

watershed to another. 

7. Are there enough treatment plants to meet the demand and are all current plants expected to meet the new 

state standards? 
Flowback reuse has in effect reduced/delayed the need for additional treatment infrastructure, however many 

facilities are running at near capacity. There is some grandfathering for existing plants until their treatment 

facility permits are due for renewal, at which time they must meet new standards,.

8. What are the long-term water needs for each well? 

Once they hydraulic fracturing is completed then no additional water is required.

9. Do the trucks hauling frac water have MSDS SHHET ON BOARD IN CASE OF A LEAK OR WRECK? 

They have to maintain paper work in the truck for the load they are hauling, but this would not typically include 

an MSDS, but rather results of chemical analysis would be maintained with the hauler and treatment facility.

10. What percentage of the TDS in flowback water is comprised of chlorides? 

Approximately 60%

11. Does your chlorination method produce potentially harmful by-products, such as bromine (Br2) from bromide 

ion, or chlorinated nitrogenous compounds? 

I’m not aware of any chlorination, the water is disinfected in many cases with a biocide, but it is not typically 

chlorine.

12. How common is it that gas companies re-use flowback? Is this the most common scenario in PA? 

The majority of companies are employing some level of flowback, and it is an increasing trend. 

13. What locations are the biocides applied? It would typically be applied to the storage impoundment fluids to 

ensure bacterial growth does not occur.

14. On average what are the TDS and chloride levels in production water/brine? 

TDS levels can be >300,000 TDS at the high end of the range, but can vary dependent on the formation. 

Chlorides typically represent 50 to 60% of the TDS, but again can vary.

15. What's the main explanation for the very low volume return rates (10% flowback)? 

The injected fluids remain in the shale formation because it is otherwise dry, so they are absorbed by the 

formation.

16. Is a list of facilities that could *potentially* accept frackwater available? Not looking for just permitted facilities, 

but facilities that could potentially be permitted based on their characteristics.

In theory any wastewater treatment facility could accept flowback waters, but would have to obtain the 

necessary approvals from PaDEP.

17. If there is an average of 10 percent flowback in the first 30 days, how much flowback is there over the life of the 

well? 

The volume of flowback, which becomes “produced water” after the well is put on line, decreases significantly 

so that <10 gallons per day is produced after several years. The ultimate volume would depend on the life of the 
well, but I would estimate that the ultimate production of fluids would be less than 20% if 10% is produced in 

the first 30 days. 

18. Has anyone been able to get a clear answer from the US EPA regarding AMD? 

PA DEP claims that you can take AMD from the mine discharge with no chance of being held responsible for that 

discharge. On the other hand gas companies claim that the EPA Region regulating Colorado has informed gas 

companies that if they use water from an abandoned mine, they are responsible for future treatment of that 

mine discharge. Still waiting for an answer from EPA Region III on this matter. At least one company is using 

AMD waters in Tioga Co., however I’m not aware of any liability for future cleanup.

19. Is there enough water treatment facility infrastructure in place in PA to deal with the projected amount of 

flowback? 

It would depend on the level of reuse by the companies. The availability of treatment facilities is something that 

could “throttle” development, but I would expect that if there is a market for treating flowback then sufficient 

infrastructure would be built. 

20. How effective are conventional wastewater treatment plants in treating frac water? 

Depends on the design of the plant, some may be able to drop out metals if they use pH adjustment, but 

typically they rely on dilution to bring the concentrations to permittable levels.

21. Are there alternative methods of fracking that utilize less water, or no water? 

There is research being conducted to use less water, some companies can use liquid propane or carbon dioxide 

rather than water, but I don’t believe these will be widely utilized for the Marcellus because they would require 

more pressure and highly specialized equipment thus are not as effective and more expensive. Some other 

shale plays use nitrogen/foam fracs, but they are not as effective. 

22. Did you say that you are using fewer frac additives and that is because of the lessened dangers of scaling. 

Correct, scaling has not been as much of an issue so some companies are using less or no scale inhibitors.

23. Where are the treatment plants in SW PA? 

In treatment, are these plants able to remove all pollutants before discharge into the stream? Most are spread 

across in western PA, two water recycling facilities are in Williamsport, and one treatment plant is near Sunbury. 

The treatment plants that discharge remove most metals, but not TDS.

24. With recent quarantines of cattle, besides fencing, is Range going to take additional precautions such as moving 

away from open storage to ensure the safety of food supplies be it cattle, deer, or waterfowl? 

Fencing should be adequate, not aware of any additional measures except for bird netting. 

25. Does your chlorination method produce potentially harmful by-products, such as bromine (Br2) from bromide 

ion, or chlorinated nitrogenous compounds? Answered above.

26. Is there any disinfection protocol for pipes taking water from surface supplies. 
Not currently, however guidelines are being developed to ensure invasive species are not spread.

27. Does there appear to be any need to discharge treated wastewater to streams given the ability to recycle and 

reuse?

It could in theory be reduced to zero liquid discharge and minimize the need to have any discharge of 

wastewater, which is how several other states handle this issue. 

28. Do you do follow up examinations of the waterways that you use for frac water? 

No follow up testing is required as the withdrawal volumes have been evaluated to ensure no adverse impacts 

occur.

29. Has there been an increase in other operation companies to follow the water management protocols that Range 

Resources is currently using. 

Yes, Range is leading the way toward improved water management practices and other companies are following 

suit.

30. How is spill prevention done for the frac tanks? 

They are generally monitored on site to ensure any fittings are not leaking. Often the most spill-prone areas of 

the well pad are lined.

31. What is the ultimate fate of the water being stored in short-term and long-term reservoirs? 

Used or re-used for hydraulic fracturing. 

32. Can these pipeline networks be used year 'round? 

Yes, they must either keep water moving through them or drained to prevent freezing though.