Assessment of risk of hydrocarbon or fracturing fluid migration to fresh water aquifers: case study of Colorado oil and gas fields, An

Abstract

The United States National Science Foundation, engaging 29 researchers at nine institutions, has funded a Sustainability Research Network (SRN) focused on natural gas development. The mission is to provide a science-based framework for evaluating the environmental, economic, and social trade-offs between development of natural gas resources and protection of water and air resources. There are a series of independent events that must occur to allow hydrocarbon or fracturing fluid migration to fresh water aquifers. A statistical analysis of data from 36,682 oil and gas wells, from four main basins in Colorado, was made to demonstrate the low rate of complete wellbore failures that resulted in hydrocarbon or fracturing fluid contamination. These results will help shape the discussion of the risk of oil and gas development and will assist in identifying areas of improved well construction and hydraulic fracturing practices to minimize the risk of aquifer or surface soil contamination.