An overview on exploration and environmental impact of unconventional gas sources and treatment options for produced water

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Silva, Adrian (Author) FEUP; Silva, T.L.S. (Author) FEUP; Sergio Morales Torres (Author) FEUP; José Luis Figueiredo (Author) FEUP; Castro-Silva, S. (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Environmental Management

Vol. 200

Pages: 511-529

ISSN: 0301-4797

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 17 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 37 Citations

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Chemical engineering ; Technological sciences > Technology > Environmental technology

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-EAY

DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.06.002

Abstract (EN): Rising global energy demands associated to unbalanced allocation of water resources highlight the importance of water management solutions for the gas industry. Advanced drilling, completion and stimulation techniques for gas extraction, allow more economical access to unconventional gas reserves. This stimulated a shale gas revolution, besides tight gas and coalbed methane, also causing escalating water handling challenges in order to avoid a major impact on the environment. Hydraulic fracturing allied to horizontal drilling is gaining higher relevance in the exploration of unconventional gas reserves, but a large amount of wastewater (known as "produced water") is generated. Its variable chemical composition and flow rates, together with more severe regulations and public concern, have promoted the development of solutions for the treatment and reuse of such produced water. This work intends to provide an overview on the exploration and subsequent environmental implications of unconventional gas sources, as well as the technologies for treatment of produced water, describing the main results and drawbacks, together with some cost estimates. In particular, the growing, volumes of produced water from shale gas plays are creating an interesting market opportunity for water technology and service providers. Membrane-based technologies (membrane distillation, forward osmosis, membrane bio-reactors and pervaporation) and advanced oxidation processes (ozonation, Fenton, photocatalysis) are claimed to be adequate treatment solutions.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 19