Back to Search Start Over

Groundwater use in the Eagle Ford Shale: some policy recommendations

Groundwater use in the Eagle Ford Shale: some policy recommendations

Authors :
Maxwell Philipp Steadman
Benton Arnett
Kevin Healy
Zhongnan Jiang
David LeClere
Leslie McLaughlin
Joey Roberts
Source :
Texas Water Journal, Vol 6, Iss 1 (2015)
Publication Year :
2015
Publisher :
Texas Water Journal, 2015.

Abstract

Advances in hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and horizontal drilling have allowed oil and gas companies to tap into Texas’ previously inaccessible shale reserves. Fracking in the state has grown at an exponential rate and is not expected to decline until 2025. Fracking requires the consumption of vast amounts of groundwater, a resource that is already strained. This study quantifies the water consumption associated with fracking in the Eagle Ford Shale, evaluates the current regulatory framework, and proposes 3 policy recommendations. The data show that fracking has become the primary consumer of groundwater in the most active counties within the Eagle Ford. Our study proposes 3 policy solutions to ensure that groundwater is consumed in an economically efficient manner in these areas. These solutions are a more thorough system for reporting consumption, tax incentives for oil and gas companies to use substitutes for fresh groundwater, and an alternative property rights system to the current rule of capture system. Citation: Steadman M, Arnett B, Healy K, Jiang Z, David LeClere, Leslie McLaughlin, Roberts J. 2015. Groundwater use in the Eagle Ford Shale: some policy recommendations. Texas Water Journal. 6(1):67-78. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21423/twj.v6i1.7023.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
21605319
Volume :
6
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Texas Water Journal
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.313e05e30bb64beda1a5ff83146a20d5
Document Type :
article