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Technical Review and Analysis
of Kuiper’s/NPRC Documents Related to the Management of CBNG Produced
Water in the Powder River Basin
Read a summary of the key points of the report.
executive summary
View full PDF document by clicking on the link below.
CDM
Report
If you are unable to view the CDM Report, Click on
the Adobe graphic to obtain the latest Acrobat Reader.
Overview
A well is drilled to produce coalbed natural
gas. Within the coal seam, the natural gas is held in place by water
pressure. In order to release the natural gas, the water pressure must
be reduced. This is accomplished by pumping a small percentage of the
water out of the coal seam. LEARN MORE
Landowner Video
Two landowners offer comments about coalbed
natural gas development on their ranches.
Carlton Dewey Video - View
Video
Jerry Geer Video - view
Video
Regulations
Most water that is produced from a coalbed natural
gas well is discharged into drainages including ponds, reservoirs or
stock tanks. Surface owner agreements generally include the subject
of discharge water and its uses. Coalbed natural gas water in its unaltered
state usually meets or exceeds the Wyoming and Montana Department of
Environmental Quality's surface water quality standards. The Federal
Safe Drinking Water Act and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance
is the basis for determining Wyoming and Montana's water quality standards
where drinking water is protected. The Clean Water Act and EPA guidance
determine Wyoming and Montana's other standards for protection of other
uses of surface water including aquatic life, agriculture, irrigation
and recreation.
In Wyoming, since every coalbed
natural gas well must be permitted as both a gas well and a water well,
the operator must obtain permits from the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation
Commission (WOGCC) or the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the State
Engineer's Office (SEO). Water discharges are permitted with the Wyoming
Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ).
Learn More
Water Management Options
The water produced by CBNG development will
be sent to agreed-upon management sites on the property within regulatory
guidelines. Most water may be discharged into drainages including off-channel
reservoirs, in-channel ponds and stock tanks.
Learn More
Photo Gallery
View pictorial examples of water management in our water
photo gallery
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