Management and Effects of Coalbed Methane Produced Water in the Western United States

In some coalbeds, naturally occurring water pressure holds methane—the main component of natural gas—fixed to coal surfaces and within the coal. In a coalbed methane (CBM) well, pumping water from the coalbeds lowers this pressure, facilitating the release of methane from the coal for extraction and use as an energy source. Water pumped from coalbeds during this process—CBM 'produced water'—is managed through some combination of treatment, disposal, storage, or use, subject to compliance with federal and state regulations. CBM produced water management can be challenging for regulatory agencies, CBM well operators, water treatment companies, policy makers, landowners, and the public because of differences in the quality and quantity of produced water; available infrastructure; costs to treat, store, and transport produced water; and states' legal consideration of water and produced water. Some states consider produced water as waste, whereas others consider it a beneficial byproduct of methane production. Thus, although current technologies allow CBM produced water to be treated to any desired water quality, the majority of CBM produced water is presently being disposed of at least cost rather than put to beneficial use. This book specifically examines the Powder River, San Juan, Raton, Piceance, and Uinta CBM basins in the states of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. The conclusions and recommendations identify gaps in data and information, potential beneficial uses of CBM produced water and associated costs, and challenges in the existing regulatory framework. Table of ContentsFront MatterSummary1 Methane and Water in Coalbeds2 Coalbed Methane Produced Water in Western U.S. Basins: Hydrogeological and Geochemical Foundations3 Regulatory Context for Coalbed Methane Produced Water Management4 Coalbed Methane Produced Water Management and Beneficial Uses5 Environmental Effects of Coalbed Methane Development and Produced Water Management6 Technologies and Costs for Coalbed Methane Produced Water Treatment7 Conclusions and RecommendationsAppendixesAppendix A: Legislative Authorization Language H.R. 6 - Energy Policy Act of 2005 Section 1811. Coal Bed Methane StudyAppendix B: Committee and Staff Biographical SketchesAppendix C: Presentations to the CommitteeAppendix D: Information InventoryAppendix E: Historical Significance of a Water "Compact": Development of the Colorado Compact and the Upper Colorado River Basin CompactAppendix F: Tribal Management of Coalbed Methane Development and Produced WaterAppendix G: Acronyms and Abbreviations