June 4 , 2014 

# Federal Multiagency
**Collaboration on**
**Unconventional Oil**
**and Gas Research**

A Strategy for Research and Development

July 18, 2014

## Table of Contents

Introduction

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 2
Research Topics

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 7
Key Research

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 8

Topic 1: Underst anding the Scale and Nature of U.S. Unconventional Oil and Gas Resources

............................ 8
Topic 2: Water Quality

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 9
Topic 3: Water Availability

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................... 11
Topic 4: Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

................................ ................................ ........................... 11
Topic 5: Effects on Human Health

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 12
Topic 6: Ecological Effects

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................. 13
Topic 7: Induced Seismicity

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................... 14 

### Flagship Projects

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................... 15

Next Steps

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 17

References

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............ 18

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 1 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

## I **NTRODUCTION**

This document provides a F ederal M ulti agency S trategy for coordinat ing on

- going and future

, high priority research associated with safely and prudently developing onshore shale gas, tight gas, shale oil, and tight oil resources (Multiagency, 2012). It identifies key questions the Agencies

– the Department of Energy (DOE); Department of the Interior (DOI); and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

– will use to guide on

- goin g research

. It also describes a process through which collaborative research will be undertaken to improve how the private sector develop s these resources while protecting human health and the environment. Ultimately, the goal of research conducted under this S trategy is to provide information to assist decision

- making in support
of safe ly and responsibly developing domestic onshore unconventional oil and gas ( UOG ) resources for
stakeholders at many levels

– federal, state, tribal, and local government ; wi thin industry; and the public

- at

large

.

**Unconventional Oil and Natural Gas Resources**

America’s abundant UOG resou rces , which include natural gas
and oil contained in tight geological formations

, are vit al components of our N ation’s energy portfolio. UOG development
can enhance America’s energy , economic, and environmental security , and can create significant income, employment

, and
other economic benefits

. Therefore, safely, responsibly, and efficiently developing unconventional domestic oil and gas resources plays an important role in our Nation’s energy future.

Research conducted by industry and the United States (U.S.)

G overnment over a number of decades led to the development and commercial deployment of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies. The combination of these advancements
and their effective application to the unique geological propert ies
of unconventional res ervoirs has dramatically increased the N ation’s technically

- recoverable domestic natural gas and oil resources

. At the same time, the new economics enabled by these technologic al innovations have greatly expanded unconventional res ource production. In the case of shale gas alone , the Energy Information
Administration (EIA) estimates it will account for just over one half of the total U.S. natural gas production by 2040 (EIA, 201 4 )

. Meanwhile, the scale and nature of the technologie s used to develop UOG resources have prompted concerns over potential human health and environmental impacts

. Included among these concerns are such issues as water quality and availability, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, ecosystem integrity, impacts on human
health

, and the prospects for inducing seismic events. Understanding these potential impacts, their relationship to national energy and environmental objectives , and how they can best be mitigated will play a significant role

in enabling UOG resources to be safely and responsibly recovered and utilized , and motivates the f ederal research agenda

.

**On**

**- going Federal Coordination** 

In 2011, President Barack Obama issued the Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future

, a comprehensive plan to
reduce Am erica’s oil dependence, save consumers money, and make the N ation a worldwide leader in clean energy industries. Realizing the benefits of developing and using UOG resources in a prudent and sustainable
manner is a central objective of the Blueprint

. Accordingly, the plan identified the need for ongoing f ederal research that supports sound decision

- making and helps ensure responsible and efficient development of
domestic oil and natural gas resources

. In August 2011, the Secretary of Energy Advisory B oard Subcommittee Unconventional oil and gas (UOG) refers to resources such as shale gas, shale oil, tight gas, and tight oil that cannot be produced economically through standard drilling practices

. Hydraulic fracturing, frequently
described as a well stimulation technique, has been used to maximize production of oil and natural gas in unconventional reservoirs, such as shale, coalbeds, and tight sands.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 2 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYon Natural Gas (SEAB, 2011) similarly highlighted the important role the f ederal g overnment plays in addressing UOG research and development (R&D) needs, particularly research to support environmental protection and safety

.
To further encour age federal cooperation and coordination, the President issued an executive order in April 2012 establishing an Interagency Working Group to Support Safe and Responsible Development of Unconventional Domestic Natural Gas Resources (Executive Order, 2012). In his 2013 Climate Action Plan , the President also called on his administration to develop a comprehensive interagency methane strategy to reduce methane emissions from a variety of sectors, including oil and natural gas. In March 2014, the Administration released a Climate Action Plan Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions that outlines a series of voluntary actions
and common

- sense standards to encourage cost

- effective methane emission reductions in the oil and gas

sector.

Because a majority of f ederal UOG research activities and expertise resides collectively within the DOE, DOI, and

EPA , these Agencies signed a Multiagency Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) pledging to develop a focused,
collaborative and coordinated research effort addressing high

- priority ch allenges connected to prudent UOG
onshore resource development (Multiagency, 2012)

. Each agency contributed senior policy and technical leaders to lead the Federal Multiagency Collaboration on
Unconventional Oil and Gas Research ’s Steering Committee. T hro ugh this Steering Committee and the
contributions of a Technical Subcommittee

, comprised of scientists and engineers from DOE, DOI

, EPA, and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

, 1 t he Agencies developed this S trategy for research
collaboration and coordination . This effort was undertaken by building upon the subject matter expertise in
each A gency ; seeking input from scientists at other federal agencies and consulting with a diverse set o f external stakeholders during public webina rs

. The se public webinars were delivered over three sessions to target
different audiences

— academia and non

- governmental organizations (NGOs) ; industry ; and states and tribes

. In addition to producing this Strategy, the Steering Committee maintains an outreach effort, including a website 2

. Among information on the site is the presentation used for the webinars ; the MOA ; the Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future ; and President Obama’s Executive Order

. Additionally, Multiagency representatives periodi cally present public ly about the collaborative effort ’s goals and activities

.

**Core Competencies** The Steering Committee acknowledges that each of the Agencies has individual expertise and core competencies (Figure 1) that can influence the effective implementation of needed R&D

. Because these core competencies overlap in some areas, emphasis has been placed on a complementary approach that avoids duplication and takes advantage of inherent strengths

.

1 Other f ederal agencies include the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service s ( HHS ), which includes the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (which houses the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health ( NIOSH ) and the Agency for Toxic Substan ces and Disease Registry ( ATSDR )) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (which houses the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences ( NIEHS )), as well as the Department of Labor’ s (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ).

2 The Steering Committee website is located at h ttp ://unconventional.energy.gov.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 3 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYFigure 1 : R elationships among core competencies in the area of unconventional oil and gas
resources of the three federal agencies that are coordinating as part of this S trategy

. In addition, the skills and cooperation of HHS and DOL, including the CDC (ATSDR and NIOS H), NIEHS

, and
OSHA are important for the success of the comprehensive approach outlined in the S trategy

.

In developing th is Strategy

, the Agencies considered scientific topics relevant to prudent development of UOG resources and grouped the results into seven broad topic areas of research :

1. S cale and nature of U.S. unconventional oil and gas resources;

2. W ater quality;

3. W ater availability;

4. A ir qualit y and greenhouse gas emissions;

5. E ffects on human health;

6. E cological effects ; and

7. Induced Seismicity.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 4 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYT o help achieve the goal of M ultiagency collaboration, each A gency agreed to : focus on its individual core competencies; work together on research topic s , as appropriate; consistently coordinate on their individual
annual research and budget process es ; and join forces to coordinate with stakeholders

. Among other things, this
document helps communicate the coordinat ion among key existing UOG research projects within the three Agencies and highlight s remaining research needs

. A lthough this S trategy is focused on R&D projects within the participating Agencies, the Agencies recognize that additional relevant , valuable research is ongoing elsewhere, particularly in the private sector and academia

. Exhibit 1 identifies the scope of this Strategy, including what the
document does and does not address.

**The Federal Government**  **’s Role**

To meet the challenge of res ponsibly developing domestic onshore oil and gas resources , including on f ederal lands

, one key f ederal role is supporting relevant research that characterizes UOG resources , while simultaneously protecting human health and the environment

. Fulfilling this responsibility require s the f ederal g overnment to address
issues related to the scale and scope of UOG development ; develop consistent standards and protocols for sampling and analysis of air, water, and biological resources; analyze potential impac ts on human
health and the environment ; encourage development and deployment
of existing and innovative, new technologies and approaches that mitigate these potential risks ; and s upport local, state, tribal, or federal level decision

- making processes that enable prudent resource development.

Accomplishing these diverse but related responsibilities requires the f ederal g overnment to coordinate a cross

cutting research and technology development program. The scope of essential research is broad and c alls for integration and coordination across a wide range of stakeholders including scientists, engineers , industry, environmental groups, policy

- makers, government agencies, NGOs , academia

, and the general public. DOE, DOI, and EPA will use this effort to coordinate federal
research conducted by these federal agencies

. This Strategy
outlines research needs and presents flagship projects that illustrate the degree and nature
of coordination and collaboration that is required.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 5 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYExhibit 1

. Scope: What this document does and does not do.

What this document does What this document does not do

 Identifies research topics

Seven broad topic areas are identified a long with a
discussion o f the primary scientific questions within each topic.

 Identifies initial priorities

The Strategy provides an initial prioritization of the research topics to be addressed.

 Defines the roles of the three Agencies

The Memorandum which established this effor t

, laid out general areas of core competency for each of the three Agencies. This document provides further detail and establishes leadership areas for each agency. The Memorandum also noted that
there will be areas for which the combined capabilities of m ore than one agency will be necessary to address a particular research topic. This document provides a framework for that
collaboration.

 Establishes mechanisms for interagency cooperation

Through this effort, the participating Agencies have
established a Steering Committee, which is leading the coordination, and it will be a standing entity with leadership that will rotate between the three Agencies. This document provides further detail on the roles and responsibilities of the Steering Committee and steps that will be taken to ensure that research is coordinated on an ongoing basis.

 Proposes key flagship projects

These projects are intended to delineate potential project

- level work that produces outputs taking full advantage of the interagency collaborati on and that addresses the major areas of public concern.  Serve as a detailed research plan

The scope of this document is broad, covering diverse topics relevant to safe ly develop ing UOG

resources

.

 Provide a comprehensive analysis of ongoing research efforts across or outside of
government

It is critical for federal research agencies to
coordinate and cooperate with their counterparts from industry, academia, and non

- governmental

sectors

– leveraging those efforts wherever possible. While this document assesses initial research challenges, it does not provide a detailed review of efforts being carried o ut other than by the Agencies or a detailed literature review. Such a review will be part of subsequent research plans and will influence the scope of specific research projects that are undertaken by the f ederal

g overnment

. While it is the f ederal g ov ernment’s
role in research to inform decision

- makers and improve environmental performance, industry has different drivers, such as lowering the costs of technologies

.

 Make regulatory recommendations

This document focuses on research issues underlying the prudent development of domestic
onshore UOG resources. This document does not make policy recommendations.

 Make recommendations for federal research beyond the scope of the Agencies on the Steering Committee

There may be research topics that are undertake n by federal agencies not represented on the Steering Committee and therefore are not covered
in this document.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 6 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

## R **ESEARCH** 

## T **OPICS**

In developing t his Strategy

, the Technical Subcommittee considered scientific topics and associated questions
relevant to safe ly and prudent ly developing onshore UOG resources and grouped the results into seven to pic
areas of UOG research needs ( Figure 2 )

. These key topics will subsequently be used by the Agencies to strategically coordinate existing UOG research pro jects as well as identify remaining R&D needs

. Figure 2 : This figure depicts the seven complementary topic areas of UOG research.

Topic 1: Understanding the scale and nature of U.S. unconventional oil and gas resources : What research is necessary to understand the locations of UOG and how much can be recovered? How can new or smarter deployment of existing technology enable the resource to be developed from fewer, less

impactful wells? Topic 2: Water quality : What research is necessa ry to assess the impacts of UOG development on water quality? How can any potential negative impact s be mitigated ? Topic 3: Water availability : What research is necessary to understand the impacts on water resources where withdrawal may affect supply, use, and ecological health ? How can the potential negative effects of

water usage in UOG development be mitigate d ? Topic 4: Air quality and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions : What research is necessary to understand the potential air quality impacts from both short

- term emissions and life cycle GHG emissions associated with UOG development and production ? How can any potential negative effects be mitigated?

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 7 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYTopic 5: Effects on human health : What research is necessary to understand any potential impacts on the
healt h of the nation’s population? How can any potential negative impacts on human health be mitigated? Topic 6: Ecological effects : What research is necessary to understand any potential impacts to ecological systems? How can any potential negative impacts on ecosystems be mitigated? Topic 7: Induced seismicity : What research is necessary to understand any potential for UOG

- related activities
to induce seismic events and to characterize any potential hazards ? What can be done to mitigate any negative impacts or potentia l risks from these events ?



## K **EY** 

## R **ESEARCH**

The following is a summary of key research developed for each of the seven topic areas. **P RIORITY**  **R ESEARCH** 
**N EEDS**  have been identified for each of the topic areas along with potential products or outcomes required to meet the goal of the collaboration . These **P RIORITY**  **R ESEARCH**  **N EEDS**  represent the most critical research based

on Agencies’ subject matter expertise as well as input from external stakeholders

. A key objective of this document is to define roles and respons ibilities for each of the three A gencies in terms of carrying out new and existing UOG research initiatives

. Consequently

, specific **A GENCY**  **R OLES**  are indicated for
each research need in three categories :
Lead Agency : Agency lead s the coordination of research activities. Research need falls directly within the agency’s core competency. Agency has significant relevant experience and capabilities

. Primary Support : Agency has significant relevant expertise

, experience , personnel, and potential resourc es

. Secondary Support : Agency has limited capabilities (i.e.

, individual researchers or historical

programs )

.

T he following “ Priority Research Needs” summarizes the highest priority items the Agencies would address by coordinating proposed, planned

, or on

- going research . One e xample of an on

- going project is EPA’s Study of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources

. Additionally

, while
this Strategy will be used to inform budget requests

, e xecution of s pecific identified priority research needs is subject to funding availability.

**Topic 1: Understanding the Scale and Nature of U.S. Unconventional Oil and Gas Resources**

Both geologic setting and development method are primary drivers in determining the locations and
characteristics of UOG resources and the identification of the potential environmental impact s of UOG resource production

. Priority r esearch needs in this topic area include assessing the location , physical characteristics

, and potential size of different UOG resources to understand the potential scale of development in different geographical areas and geologic settings. Research will assist decision makers in underst and ing and mitigating potentially adverse impact s of unconventional domestic energy resource development while realiz ing the
benefit s of additional energy supply.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 8 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYTable 1 : Priority Research Needs

– Scale and Nature of UOG Resources

Topic 1 Summary

• Geologic setting and development method of UOG production are primary drivers of potential UOG

environmental impacts.

• Research will help decision makers identify the likely location and development timeframe of UOG resources,

which will inform decisio n makers on the potential harmful impacts of UOG development , while allowing the nation to better realize the benefits of additional energy supply.

**T opic 2: Water Quality** 
Water quality encompasses a range of biological, chemical, and physical conditions for both surface ( lakes and streams, as well as near

- shore oceans) and subsurface waters (aquifers). Many public comments regarding UOG development and production reflect co ncern about potential water quality impacts on both ecosystems and
human well

- being. P riority research needs in this area include improved quantitative evaluations of contaminant pathways in water resources that can be used to assess potential human and ecological health effects.

Important additional research is needed to generate a quantitative understanding of water quality impacts over the entire cycle of UOG operations ( site preparation, water acquisition, drilling

, completion and fracturing, producti on, waste disposal, pipeline construction and site closure )

. Also needed is better understanding of how these impacts may vary over time and space and due to differences in UOG operations

. Consequently, t he goals
of this research are to provide better data for evaluating impacts (e.g., ecological, human, or community effects)
and to help identify best practices and new technologies for UOG operations that may help to avoid or reduce Priority Research Need Agency Roles

1 Estimate Technically

- Recoverable Resource (TRR) : Identify where assessment is needed, gather and analyze data, and report findings.

2 Characterize Scale/Timelines of Development : Reduce the surface and subsurface impacts of development by analyzing TRR in the context of economic factors, industry capacity, and developing technology to determine the potential intensity of future development activity.

3 Characterize Linkages among UOG Development Processes, Variable Geology, and Pathways for Impact on Human Health and the Environment : Conduct field and laboratory studies to understand how UOG development in different reservoirs with varying geologic characteristics influence impacts on human health and the

environment.

4 Foster Technology Development for Mitigation of Impacts on Human Health and
the Environment : Identify opportunities where new approaches can reduce environmental footprint of UOG development , either through smarter and smaller stimulations, more streamlined well/field development designs, or improved controls technology.

5 Understand Long

- Term Implications of UOG Development on Co

- Located Subsurface Industrial Activities or Resources : Understand the impacts of pervasive change in subsurface environment resulting from natural hydrocarbon leakage on possible future large

- scale activities such as carbon storage. DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 9 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYDOE DOI EPA DOE DOI DOE DOI potential adverse impacts. EPA’s Study of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources is a n on

- going component of the Agencies’ efforts to address these research goals.

Table 2 : Priority Research Needs

– Water Quality Priority Research Needs Agency Roles

1 Determine the Impact of Well Injection (Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids and

Wastewater s) and Produced Waters on W ater Quality : Conduct state

- of

- the science assessments, review literature , review data from industry , and determine research gaps; conduct monitoring and modeling to establish driving factors for well injection

- groundwater connections; and develop analytical methods for the detection of chemicals used or reported to be found in hydraulic fracturing fluids or

wastewater.

2 Assess Wellbore Integrity to Prevent and Minimize Contamination : Assess contribution of current wellbore integrity practices to risk of contamination; identify materials for improved wellbore design

, construction , testing and
remediation to enhance environmental performance of wellbores; apply computer models to explore the potential for gas or fluid migration from poor, incomplete, or degraded well cementing or cement failure during hydraulic fracturing in nearby wells and existing fault s; and develop an “ Area of Review ” methodology for horizontal drilling similar to the method that is employed for vertical wells.

3 Develop Mitigation Technologies : Develop improved technologies for water reuse and/or recycling to reduce the amount of water requiring disposal through injection or treatment technologies.

4 Identify and Model Water Quality Changes Associated with UOG Life Cycle : Examine UOG impacts on groundwater and surface water quality; identify indicators, including tracers that can be used to document hydraulic fracturing impacts on groundwater and surface water; establish baseline monitoring for surface water and groundwat er quality and stray gas; and determine the relative source contributions and environmental pathways for contaminants associated with UOG produced and flowback wastewater.

5 Investigate the Transport and Disposition of UOG Wastewater : Inventory current wastewater volumes and disposition; study impacts of direct discharges as allowed in certain geographic areas of the country for agricultural and wildlife propagation ; evaluate the efficacy of wastewater treatment technologies; develop methods to
detect and quantify contaminants in UOG wastewater and receiving environmental waters; and conduct source apportionment and bromine disinfection by

- product precursor studies

.

Topic 2 Summary

• Water quality encompasses a range of biological, chemical and physical conditions for surface and subsurface

waters.

• R esearch is needed to help understand potential impacts over the entire cycle of UOG operations, and develop

best practices and mitigation technologies. DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 10 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY**Topic 3: Water Availability**
For purposes of this Strategy , the term water availability is used to include the amount and quality of water needed to meet human and ecosystem needs ; impacts of water withdrawn from surface and groundwater
systems ; and water produced during the active phase of a UOG operation. P roduced and flowback waste water s

are important because they can : 1) potentially be reused in hydraulic fracturing , thereby reducing to tal freshwater withdrawals; and 2) potentially be treated and returned to the environment, thereby potentially reducing demands on the local water budget.

T his research area relates to how UOG activities may impact both the quantity and availability of wa ter required for hydraulic fracturing, and better understand t he possible impacts of ground and surface waters withdrawals on drinking water resources

. As a result, it would develop information that would allow for a quantitative understanding of how water availability is impacted by UOG resources, geographic locations, methods of production , and reuse and recycling of wastewaters , as well as the technologies and approaches that optimize

water use.

Table 3 : Priority Research Needs

– Water Availability Priority Research Need Agency Roles

1 Provide Supporting Water Resources Information : Support streamgage baseline monitoring in s tates where UOG production is ongoing and/or planned. Collect
baseline information on water resources in three case study areas (Marcellus Shale, Barnett Formation, and Bakken Shale) before, during, and after UOG operations; develop regional hydrogeologic frameworks; and identify sources of lower quality water to be used in lieu of fresh water in developme nt activities.

2 Provide Supporting Water Resources Information : Compile published information on water withdrawals, including ancillary data.

3 Develop Water Budgets : Develop complete water budgets for sub

- watersheds in each of the three case study areas, accounting for withdrawals, discharges to streams and groundwater, and characteristics of produced waters; provide an understanding of how much water is required to produce UOG and how the w ater demands are changing with increased recycling.

4 Develop Predictive Tools : Develop statistical models for estimating the amount of water required for UOG operations; predict volumes of flowback fluids and produced waters.

5 Develop Innovative Mitigation Technologies : Develop hydraulic fracturing technologies that require less water consumption and/or alternative waterless technologies.

Topic 3 Summary

• Water availability includes the amount and quality of water, from surface or groundwater sources, needed to

meet human and ecosystem needs.

• Research is needed on how UOG activities impact water quantity and availability, and also to better

understand possible effects of withdrawals on drinking water resources. DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 11 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY**Topic 4: Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas (GHG)**  **Emissi ons**  UOG development and operations release various pollutants into the atmosphere including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as methane and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), a s well as radon. These pollutants can impact human heal th, ecological resources, and the Earth’s climate. Many of the pollutants
released from unconventional reservoirs are likely the same as those released from extracting oil and gas from conventional reservoirs. However, the air pollutants and their emission rates from unconventional reservoirs and the technologies associated with the development of these reservoirs re main insufficiently characterized to allow a scientifically

- based evaluation of human health effects, ecological effects, and GHG emissions. In addition, UOG development has the potential to have both local (multiple wells developed from a single well pad; compressor stations) and regional (widespread exploration of UOG resources within a given shale play) impacts on air quality. Therefore, the answers to key science questions regarding air pollutant impacts require improved quantitative evaluations of emis sions for use in assessments of health, ecosystem, and climate effects.

Table 4 : Priority Research Needs

– Air Quality Priority Research Need Agency Roles


### 1 Air Quality Modeling : Perform preliminary air quality and dispersion modeling to evaluate potential changes.

2 Source Emissions Measurements : Measure VOCs, including methane, and other HAPs from hydraulically fractured oil and gas well completions, surface impoundments

, and other sources

. Apply source

- receptor modeling to estimate
contributions from UOG activities.

3 Ambient Air Measurements : Measure ambient VOC/HAP levels around wellpads, compressor stations, and distribution networks.

4 Exposure Assessment : Conduct scoping evaluation of potential for exposure to VOCs/HAPs near UOG operations.

5 Emission Mitigation : Assess the current capabilities of control strategies and
measures to reduce emissions from UOG operations including extent of current use, costs and performance, availability and applicability, and operational benefits and challenges.

6 Support Development of Engineering Controls, Technologies, and Strategies for Emissions Control during UOG Operations : Conduct measurement activities to provide information on performance of control technologies and practices; and collaborate with industry and others to move promising control concepts to demonstration stage.

Topic 4 Summary

• UOG development and operations can release potentially harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

• Emission data are needed to underpin a scientific evaluation regarding possible impacts on human health, the

environment, and GHG emissions. DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DOE DO EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 12 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY**Topic 5: Effects on Human Health** 
Air quality, water quality, and water availability impacts from UOG production may ultimately a ffect human
health

. Priority r esearch needs in this area include an analysis of the available data and identification of knowledge gaps; understanding of the changes in water quality, water availability, air quality, and other environmental media; knowledge of the likely human exposure s and exposure scenarios; supportive toxicology related to likely exposures; the populations and life stages susceptible to exposure , adverse physical and mental health outcomes, as well as fire and explosion hazards ; and best practices for evaluating potential cumulative
risks ass ociated with multiple chemical stressors resulting from UOG development activities.

The Steering Committee recognizes that most of the research needed to address potential impacts on human health is beyond the scope of this Multiagency effort and would mo st appropriately be led by f ederal health agencies. Therefore, Table 5 does not indicate agency leads among DOE, DOI, and EPA, although the three agencies can contribute to these efforts (e.g., by performing environmental sampling)

. T he following identifi ed research needs were developed with input from the health agencies listed on page 3

.

Table 5 : Priority Research Needs

– Effects on Human Health Priority Research Need Agency Roles

1 Occupational Studies: Identify data and knowledge gaps for assessment of exposures and health hazards for workers . This includes the identification of contaminants of concern and prioritization of environmental pathways. As data gaps are addressed, research needs would be periodically re

- prioritized.

2 Toxicity Assessment : Identify known chemical, physical

, and toxicological properties of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing or found in hydraulic fracturing

waste waters and air emissions . For chemicals with known structures, estimate properties using quantitative structure activity relationship methods

. 3 Health Studies : In coordination with partners including other f ederal health agencies, as appropriate, conduct health studies in the vicinity of UOG sites; synthesize a comprehensive stressor inventory; conduct temporal/sp atial assessments of health conditions of concern that may be associated with UOG development and production

.

Topic 5 Summary

• Human health may be affected by impacts of UOG development and production on air and water quality, and

water availability.

• A better understanding of the changes caused by these impacts, exposure levels, toxicity, susceptibility, and

other potentially harmful outcomes, is essential moving forward. DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA DOE DOI EPA

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 13 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY**Topic 6**  **: Ecological Effects** 
Taken collectively, impacts to air quality, water quality, and water availability discussed in the previous sections can translate into a mixed set of stressors on biological c ommunities in areas of UOG development. Additional impacts to associated ecosystems can come through land use change, habitat fragmentation or loss, increased pathways for introduction of invasive and non

- native species, and noise and light pollution. Many of these types of impacts are not unique to UOG development, but the pattern, intensity and geographic context of UOG development presents a unique threat to ecological resources.

Research proposed for this topic focuses primarily on potential impacts to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems unique to UOG development for which parallel information cannot be extracted from experiences wit h other development activities, particularly species of state and federal concern, and risk assessments to unique landscape s that have not been previously developed, or that affect species or ecosystems of state or federal concern that have not been previously studied. Unique UOG activities that can cause surface or groundwater contamination include high concentration of salts , produced water spills, wellbore casing failures, contamination
from naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs), and contamination from toxic chemicals that are specifically used for hydraulic fracturing. Additionally, large water withdrawals gener ally required for hydraulic fracturing could alter freshwater availability and the environmental flow regimes necessary to sustain terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and the species they support. Research would support resource protection, restoration,
and mitigation activities so that land and water managers can identify risks unique to UOG development, and industry can refine best management practices to maintain and possibly restore affected habitats.

Table 6 : Priority Research Needs

– Ecological Effects Priority Research Need Agency Roles

1 Information Gap Analysis : R eview and synthesize literature, data sources, and monitoring protocols relevant to evaluating impacts of UOG on habitats, ecosystem services, aquatic life uses, migratory birds, and threatened and endangered species.

2 Wastewater Toxicity Testing : Characterize and build upon the available ecological toxicity data for the chemicals in wastewaters that we project pose the greatest potential risk to ecosystems.

3 Vulnerability Assessments : Identify and prioritize key geographic regions, ecosystems and their services, sensitive aquatic communities, wastewater disposal
facilities

, and critical wildlife habitats that have the greatest potential for impact from ongoing and potential UOG activities.

4 Cumulative Impact Models : Estimate total cumulative impact of the full life cycle of UOG exploration, development, and delivery on natural resource systems of

concern.

Topic 6 Summary

• UOG activities can cause a wide range of impacts to ecosystems and associated species and habitats.

• Research is needed to connect air and water quality, and water availability, findings with direct exposure of

flora, fauna, ecosystems

, and land use change impacts. DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 14 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY**Topic 7**  **: Induced Seismicity**
Researchers have long known about the potential of human activity for causing seismic activity, from petroleum

extraction to water reservoir impoundments and fluid injection into the subsurface. Current scientific knowledge suggests changes in fluid volume and pore pressure, primarily through fluid injection , can induce seismic events

. Consequently, the three stages of the U OG life cycle that could potentially cause such events to occur are : (1) during the disposal of UOG produced and flowback waste water through deep injection wells ; (2 ) long

- term
extraction of oil and gas ; and , (3) the phase of hydraulic fracturing

. Although very small magnitude (microseismic) events are commonly produced by hydraulic fracturing operations, c urrent understanding suggests that the potential risk of felt or damaging earthquakes is greatest from wastewater disposal in deep injection well s

. There is a need for more data and analysis to relate UOG operations to induced seismic events, to connect these events to specific operational parameters and geologic
conditions , and to develop and assess possible mitigation options for decision makers attempting to minimize
seismic risks.

Table 7 : Priority Research Needs

– Induced Seismicity Priority Research Need Agency Roles

1 Data Collection

– Field and Laboratory : Identify five to ten industrial sites where background geologic site characterization and monitoring activities could be conducted; conduct geologic background and monitoring studies at several of
these sites chosen for detailed assessment.

2 Hazard and Risk Assessment : Analyze seismic hazard background data for multiple sites; and develop models for probabilistic hazards assessment that account for induced seismicity (IS).

3 Physics

- Based Model Development : Develop models for assessing the likelihood of induced seismic events and validate models with lab experiments and field data. As predictive models are developed, they must be validated and calibrated with
seismic field data to demonstrate effectiveness.

Topic 7 Summary

• There is the potential for induced seismic activity resulting from UOG development.

• A need exists for research that yields a better understanding of potential risks, causes and effects throughout

the UOG development and production life cycle. DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DOE DOI EPA

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 15 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

## F **LAGSHIP** 

## P **ROJECTS**

Descriptions of six cross

- cutting “Flagship Projects” have been developed to illustrate the type of collaboration and cooperation envisioned by the Steering Committee. While the Agencies are engaged in research outside of these examples, these proposed, planned, and on

- going projects involve cross

- cutting, multiagency, multi

disciplinary research that builds on each Agency’s core strengths and existing Agency research. Some of the Flagships ex amine areas where there is complementary research being conducted or where there are opportunities for significant synergy. Other project s expand on current research funded by DOE, DOI, and EPA,
and address priority research need s identified in the Strateg y. Finally, some of the proposed Flagships outline potential projects that the Steering Committee is considering. All of the se suggested research efforts depend on available resources at the three Agencies. Envisioned are research products that would be us eful to decision makers at each of the Agencies, as well as stakeholders from other f ederal and s tate agencies, tribes, industry, and the public. Descriptions of the six Flagship Projects and their projected research products are summarized
below:

Flagshi p : Understanding Resource Volumes, Potential Scale of Future Drilling Activity, and Water Consumption in Representative Unconventional Oil and Gas Plays Purpose : Develop approaches to better understand undiscovered UOG resources and the possible impacts of their development on the environment, especially water resources.
Products : N ew tools that can assess the potential intensity of future UOG drilling and water availab ility in priority basins.

Flagship: Study of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas on Drinking Water

Resources Purpose : Study of the p otential i mpacts of h ydraulic f racturing for o il and g as on d rinking w ater resources by assessing research questions related to the five stages of the hydraulic fracturing water cycle: water acquisition; chemical mixing; well

- injection; flowback and produced water; and wastewater treatment and waste disposal.
Products : An assessment of the potential impacts of oil and gas hydraulic fracturing activities on the quality and quantity of drinking water resources in the United States . The assessment is based upon extensive review of the literature, results from recently completed EPA research projects,

an d technical input from state, industry, and other stakeholders.

Flagship: Understanding and Managing Risks from UOG Development on Water Resources Purpose : A ddress the potential for adverse effects on water quality, more broadly than just drinking

wat er supplies, resulting from UOG operations.
Products : P eer

- reviewed reports, publications, models, technology assessments, and decision tools ready for use to inform policy decisions and technical practices for protecting water resources.

Flagship: Appli cation of Source and Remote Emission Measurement Methods to Quantification of Air Emissions from UOG Operations Purpose : C haracterize source emissions and control technology effectiveness using on

- site and near

source remote methods.
Products : S ampling and measurement method s that can be used to conduct air quality characterizations from UOG operations to address impacts on local and regional air quality and potential community air toxic exposures. C onduct an assessment of the effectiveness of control

te chnologies to mitigate air emissions.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 16 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYFlagship: Water and UOG Development: Ecological Effects of Wastewater and Water Withdrawal Purpose : S tudy the ecological effects of UOG development on aquatic biota, including direct effects of
wastewater from UOG we lls with high salt content and other chemical constituents on aquatic
life

. Products : Baseline GIS layers in a representative play to support developing decision tools to locate and classify streams and riparian habitats with a high degree of potential d egradation from UOG and a high propensity for restoration. Peer

- reviewed publications that summarize the state of the science on potential effects of UOG on aquatic ecosystems; the development, validation, and application of suitably sensitive test species for detecting UOG effects; and describe watershed

based monitoring and assessment protocols needed to protect aquatic ecosystems from UOG impacts.

Flagship: Induced Seismicity, Implications of UOG Activities Purpose : I mprove the technical base needed both to define appropriate operational safeguards and to monitor sites effectively to minimize the potential for induced seismic events.
Products : Data to p rovide improved detection and location identification of seismic events at a site that is representative of produced and flowback waste water disposal wells to elucidate key relationships between existing geologic features, injection activities, and seismic events.



## N **EXT** 

## S **TEPS**

This document provides a strategy, identifie s a set of priority research needs, and describes a process through which the Agencies will support relevant collaborative research to develop these resources while protecting
human health and the environment

. Because the Steering Committee is dedicated to a collaborative

, coordinated process that takes into account the perspective and knowledge of all stakeholders

, comments received will inform the future planning efforts of the three Agencies.

In the future, the Steering Committee, supported by appropriate research staff, will continue to meet on a regular basis to coordinate research efforts, and ensure that projects are implemented in a manner that maximizes public benefit and financial resour ce allocation. While t his document initiates the process of identifying the highest priorities for research , all of the suggested research efforts depend on available resources at the three Agencies

. As resources are allocated, m ore detailed research plans for the Flagship Projects identified in this Strategy will be prepared, describing existing literature, key milestones, required resources, funding sources, and specific outcomes.

Finally , the Steering Committee will contin ue to communicate with stakeho lders to ensure : research conducted by the f ederal g overnment addresses areas of greatest concern and impact ; federal researchers appropriately leverage ongoing efforts purs u ed by NGOs, academia

, and the private sector ; and the results of federal efforts are effectively and transparently communicated to the public. T he Steering Committee will continue to
coordinate with external scientific communities to draw a comprehensive picture of research results and

outcomes

. The o utputs of the multiagency research effort will expand our knowledge about UOG activities and provide information for policy decision

- makers and the public to safely and responsibly develop these resources

.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 17 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

## R **EFERENCES**

Multiagency: U.S. Department of Ener gy, U.S. Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “ Memorandum : Multi

- A gency Collaboration on Unconventional Oil and Gas Research.” ( Washington,

DC: April 13, 2012)

.
The White House

. Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future . (Wa shington, DC: March 31, 2011).

The White House. “ Executive Order : Supporting S afe and Responsible Development of Unconventional Domestic
Natural Gas Resources

. ” ( Washington, DC: April 13, 2012)

.
The White House. “ The President’s Climate Action Plan .” (Washington, DC: June 2013)

. U.S. Department of Energy. Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (SEAB). Shale Gas Production Subcommittee Second Ninety Day Report. ( Washington, DC : N ovember 18, 2011 )

, a ccessed from http://www.shalegas.energy.gov/resources /08181 1_90_day_report_final.pdf.

U.S. Energy Info rmation Administration. Annual Energy Outlook 201 4

. DOE/EIA

- 0383 (201 4 ) (Washington, DC: April 201 4 )

, a ccessed from http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/

.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PAGE 18 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY