The flowback water collected after hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale is characterized by high level of Cl, Na, Mg, Ba, and Sr when compared with flowback waters from other shale gas plays in the US. Samples were collected at various times from four wells located in SW Pennsylvania. Publically available flowback water quality data were added to this dataset and compared to other formation brines, either from adjacent geologic formations or collected as produced water by the oil and gas industry in the state. Data analysis highlights the particularities of flowback water from the Marcellus Shale and gives insight into the origin of the salinity in this water. This study also summarizes the variations of flowback water composition with time and location across Pennsylvania. The emphasis is on barium concentration variations across Pennsylvania as it impacts the flowback water treatment requirements before its reuse as a fracturing fluid.

Chemical characteristics of Marcellus Shale flowback water in Pennsylvania

244th National Meeting (2012)

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