Understanding the cost differences between using saline water and freshwater for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is crucial for evaluating economic and environmental impacts in the oil and gas industry. Below, I provide a detailed comparison based on available data regarding procurement, treatment, and management costs associated with both water types.
Freshwater Costs for Fracking
Freshwater is commonly used in fracking operations due to its availability and compatibility with the fracturing process. The costs associated with freshwater include procurement, transportation, and sometimes treatment to ensure it meets operational standards.
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Procurement Costs: Freshwater costs can range from $0.5 to $6 per cubic meter ($0.1 to $1 per barrel), depending on the source and location 1. In some regions, specific costs are reported as low as $0.35 per barrel ($0.0083 per gallon) 2.
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Transportation Costs: Transporting freshwater to fracking sites can be significant, especially in remote areas. For instance, delivery costs for 5.7 million gallons across six wells can amount to over $1 million, highlighting the logistical expenses involved 2.
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Total Costs: For a pad with six wells, total freshwater-related costs (including procurement and delivery) can reach approximately $2.9 million, though this varies with the number of wells and regional factors 2.
Saline Water Costs for Fracking
Saline water, often sourced from produced water (water that comes back to the surface after fracking) or other brackish sources, is increasingly considered as an alternative to freshwater due to environmental concerns and water scarcity issues. However, its use involves treatment costs to manage high salinity and contaminants.
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Procurement Costs: Saline water, particularly when reused from flowback or produced water, often has lower procurement costs since it is already on-site or nearby. Specific procurement costs are not widely detailed, but reuse reduces the need for fresh sourcing 31.
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Treatment Costs: Treating saline water for reuse in fracking is a major cost factor due to high total dissolved solids (TDS) levels, which can range from 10,000 to 200,000 mg/L. Treatment costs vary widely:
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In the UK, projected costs for treating saline flowback water from shale gas wells range from $2,701 to $1,376,093 per well, depending on salinity and treatment method 4.
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In the US, treatment costs for produced water can range from $3 to $9 per cubic meter ($0.5 to $1.5 per barrel) for membrane desalination technologies like reverse osmosis or electrodialysis reversal 1.
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More intensive treatments, such as mechanical vapor compression (MVC) for high TDS waters, can cost between $12 and $24 per cubic meter ($2 to $4 per barrel) 1.
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Additional Costs: Disposal of byproducts like NORM (naturally occurring radioactive material) sludge adds to the expense. In the UK, disposal costs for such waste can reach up to $163,450 per well 4.
Direct Cost Comparison
Comparing the costs of saline water versus freshwater for fracking reveals a complex picture influenced by regional availability, treatment needs, and infrastructure.
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Upfront Costs: Freshwater often has lower initial treatment costs but higher procurement and transportation expenses, especially in water-scarce regions. Saline water, while potentially cheaper to source (especially if reused), requires significant investment in treatment to be usable for fracking 31.
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Overall Economic Impact: In the US, the trend is shifting towards recycling produced water due to rising freshwater costs and decreasing treatment costs for saline water. Using 100% recycled produced water can eliminate freshwater needs, though infrastructure limitations like storage and pipeline capacity pose challenges 3.
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Revenue Impact: Treatment costs for saline water can consume a notable portion of revenue per well. For instance, in the UK, treatment costs for saline water could account for 2% to 26% of a well’s estimated revenue, depending on the extent of treatment required 4.
Conclusion
The cost of using saline water for fracking compared to freshwater depends heavily on location, water availability, and treatment infrastructure. Freshwater generally incurs higher procurement and transportation costs, ranging from $0.5 to $6 per cubic meter, plus significant delivery expenses 21. Saline water, while often cheaper to source, involves substantial treatment costs, ranging from $3 to $24 per cubic meter in the US, and potentially up to $1.3 million per well in extreme UK scenarios 41. As treatment technologies improve and freshwater becomes scarcer, the economic incentive to use saline water is growing, though current infrastructure limitations and additional disposal costs for contaminants like NORM remain barriers to widespread adoption 31.
- https://www.saltworkstech.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Frac-and-Shale-Produced-Water-Management-Treatment-Costs-and-Options.pdf
- http://www.danolt.com/pa/costanalysis.html
- https://www.pumpsandsystems.com/reducing-costs-recycled-produced-water
- https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2018/ew/c7ew00474e
- https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/selling-water-for-fracking/2286
- https://www.ourenergypolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/The-Costs-of-Fracking-vOH.pdf
- https://stand.earth/press-releases/paper-fracking-bc-freshwater-water-grab-drought-peace/
- https://scitechdaily.com/cost-effective-treatment-salty-water-fracked-wells/
- https://news.mit.edu/2014/remove-salt-fracking-water-1021
- https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4101334
- https://www.saltworkstech.com/articles/frac-shale-produced-water-management-treatment-costs-and-options/
- https://thenarwhal.ca/bc-oil-gas-fracking-water-prices/
- https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/02_Godsey_-_Source_Options_508.pdf
- https://www.aer.ca/data-and-performance-reports/industry-performance/water-use-performance/hydraulic-fracturing-water-use
- https://stand.earth/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Fracking-water-report-pdf.pdf
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0011916417318222
- https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/1524acd4-8902-45e9-bef1-f43dfe3f59dc/resource/0b17b5d0-d231-472c-a94a-2e1959ce0d6a/download/aenv-cost-benefit-analysis-of-treating-saline-groundwater-7816.pdf
- https://www.mineralrightsforum.com/t/cost-of-water/2700
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