ENERGY & MINERALS

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Uinta Basin Water Study

Water-Related Issues Affecting Conventional Oil and Gas Recovery and Potential Oil Shale Development in the Uinta Basin, Utah

Funded by National Energy Technology Laboratory

Birds Nest aquifer in outcrop along Evacuation Creek, eastern Uinta Basin. The large cavities resulted from the dissolution of saline minerals, creating the aquifer’s porosity (percent of pore space) and permeability (a measure of how effectively the pores are connected).
Birds Nest aquifer in outcrop along Evacuation Creek, eastern Uinta Basin. The large cavities resulted from the dissolution of saline minerals, creating the aquifer’s porosity (percent of pore space) and permeability (a measure of how effectively the pores are connected).
The Birds Nest aquifer in the eastern Uinta Basin is a promising reservoir for the disposal of saline water that accompanies hydrocarbon production.
The Birds Nest aquifer in the eastern Uinta Basin is a promising reservoir for the disposal of saline water that accompanies hydrocarbon production.
Dissolution of saline minerals in core from central Uintah County (yellow bars equal 1 inch).
Dissolution of saline minerals in core from central Uintah County (yellow bars equal 1 inch).
Natural gas production, water production, and water injection in the Uinta Basin, Utah, 2002–2008. The gap between water production and water injection (indicated by blue arrow) has widened as natural gas production has increased, leading to a need for the development of mitigation strategies.
Natural gas production, water production, and water injection in the Uinta Basin, Utah, 2002–2008. The gap between water production and water injection (indicated by blue arrow) has widened as natural gas production has increased, leading to a need for the development of mitigation strategies.
Birds Nest aquifer outcrop along the White River, eastern Uinta Basin, Utah.
Birds Nest aquifer outcrop along the White River, eastern Uinta Basin, Utah.

Overall Goal

This Uinta Basin water study will help alleviate problems associated with produced saline water as a means to facilitate increased conventional hydrocarbon production and help resolve water-related environmental barriers to possible oil shale development.

Topics

  • Moderately Saline Aquifer Study Goal: Re-map the base of moderately saline water in the Uinta Basin to better facilitate water disposal permitting and to protect fresh-water resources.
  • Geologic Examination of the Birds Nest Aquifer Goal: Study the spatial and stratigraphic extent of the Birds Nest aquifer to determine the possible impacts of saline water disposal on future oil shale development.
  • Baseline Water Quality and Quantity DatabaseGoal: Create a baseline water quality and quantity GIS database for lands in the Uinta Basin identified by the BLM as having oil shale development potential.