Abstract
This paper describes an evaluation of cross-sector investments in water efficiency to enable increased water availability for hydraulic fracturing. In particular, water needs in Texas are examined to identify the water balances and cost requirements to deploy efficient irrigation water systems for the agricultural sector as a way to make available more water for the energy sector. The Rio Grande Valley in Texas is examined for these water savings that could be transferred to gas and oil production in the Eagle Ford shale formation. To evaluate water availability for use in oil and gas production, a model of water and cost savings from conservation technologies is shown at county-wide resolution. To demonstrate this methodology, we use irrigation districts on the Lower Rio Grande River in Texas to assess the feasibility of retrofitting alternative irrigation techniques for current agricultural sites. We found that between 420 and 800 million cubic meters (m3) or between 340,000 and 650,000 acre-feet (ac-ft) of water could be spared per year over a 10-year period, enabling freshwater use in oil and gas production in more than 26,000 wells in the Lower Rio Grande Valley alone.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2013 |
| Subtitle of host publication | Showcasing the Future - Proceedings of the 2013 Congress |
| Pages | 2818-2832 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| State | Published - Nov 18 2013 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2013: Showcasing the Future - Cincinnati, OH, United States Duration: May 19 2013 → May 23 2013 |
Publication series
| Name | World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2013: Showcasing the Future - Proceedings of the 2013 Congress |
|---|
Other
| Other | World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2013: Showcasing the Future |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| City | Cincinnati, OH |
| Period | 5/19/13 → 5/23/13 |
Fingerprint
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Water Science and Technology
Cite this
Alternative water sources for hydraulic fracturing in Texas. / Cook, Margaret A.; Stillwell, Ashlynn Suzanne; King, Carey W.; Webber, Michael E.
World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2013: Showcasing the Future - Proceedings of the 2013 Congress. 2013. p. 2818-2832 (World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2013: Showcasing the Future - Proceedings of the 2013 Congress).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
}
TY - GEN
T1 - Alternative water sources for hydraulic fracturing in Texas
AU - Cook, Margaret A.
AU - Stillwell, Ashlynn Suzanne
AU - King, Carey W.
AU - Webber, Michael E.
PY - 2013/11/18
Y1 - 2013/11/18
N2 - This paper describes an evaluation of cross-sector investments in water efficiency to enable increased water availability for hydraulic fracturing. In particular, water needs in Texas are examined to identify the water balances and cost requirements to deploy efficient irrigation water systems for the agricultural sector as a way to make available more water for the energy sector. The Rio Grande Valley in Texas is examined for these water savings that could be transferred to gas and oil production in the Eagle Ford shale formation. To evaluate water availability for use in oil and gas production, a model of water and cost savings from conservation technologies is shown at county-wide resolution. To demonstrate this methodology, we use irrigation districts on the Lower Rio Grande River in Texas to assess the feasibility of retrofitting alternative irrigation techniques for current agricultural sites. We found that between 420 and 800 million cubic meters (m3) or between 340,000 and 650,000 acre-feet (ac-ft) of water could be spared per year over a 10-year period, enabling freshwater use in oil and gas production in more than 26,000 wells in the Lower Rio Grande Valley alone.
AB - This paper describes an evaluation of cross-sector investments in water efficiency to enable increased water availability for hydraulic fracturing. In particular, water needs in Texas are examined to identify the water balances and cost requirements to deploy efficient irrigation water systems for the agricultural sector as a way to make available more water for the energy sector. The Rio Grande Valley in Texas is examined for these water savings that could be transferred to gas and oil production in the Eagle Ford shale formation. To evaluate water availability for use in oil and gas production, a model of water and cost savings from conservation technologies is shown at county-wide resolution. To demonstrate this methodology, we use irrigation districts on the Lower Rio Grande River in Texas to assess the feasibility of retrofitting alternative irrigation techniques for current agricultural sites. We found that between 420 and 800 million cubic meters (m3) or between 340,000 and 650,000 acre-feet (ac-ft) of water could be spared per year over a 10-year period, enabling freshwater use in oil and gas production in more than 26,000 wells in the Lower Rio Grande Valley alone.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84887485807&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84887485807&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84887485807
SN - 9780784412947
T3 - World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2013: Showcasing the Future - Proceedings of the 2013 Congress
SP - 2818
EP - 2832
BT - World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2013
ER -