University of Wyoming Research and Development Concerning Coalbed Natural Gas
Funding from the U.S. Department of Energy
 

Project Start: June 2, 2006
Project End: June 1, 2008

Goal
Coalbed natural gas (CBNG) from the Powder River Basin (PRB) in Wyoming and Montana is a significant component of the U.S. natural gas supply.  Environmental concerns over the use of CBNG coproduced water are limiting the development of this important resource.  The goal of the 10 tasks in this project is to assist in clearly defining the true environmental issues associated with this water and in developing cost-effective treatment or mitigation technologies that will allow production of the resource without harm to the environment.

Benefits
Many of the benefits and costs associated with CBNG development have been debated, but dealing with CBNG co-produced water has been one of the most difficult issues.  Resolving these issues is critical for continued development of CBNG resources in Wyoming and elsewhere—and for taking advantage of the potential benefits of large volumes of water in arid landscapes overall.

Background
Beginning with a few producing wells in Wyoming’s PRB in 1987, CBNG well numbers increased to over 13,600 in 2004, with projected growth to 20,900 producing wells in the PRB by 2010.  To produce gas from CBNG wells, it is first necessary to pump out some of the water from the gas-bearing coal seams, which are also groundwater aquifers.  This reduces the pressure on the coal seam and allows the CBNG gas to be released from the coal and flow to the well for recovery.  Large volumes of water of variable quality have been coproduced (in Wyoming, cumulative CBNG water production from 1987 through December 2004 was just over 380,000 acre-feet, or 2.9 billion barrels).  Dealing with these volumes has been a major challenge.

To help address this challenge, investigators in this project are examining existing and potential water treatments, use, and disposal methods, impacts to groundwater, in-stream toxicity, West Nile virus concerns, and management lessons learned from development in Wyoming so far.  The information gained can be applied to other areas undergoing, or about to undergo, CBNG development.

Summary as of July, 2007

In Task 1 (project management and outreach), researchers from all tasks held three meetings to review progress, and completed task presentations on results to date at the American Society of Mining and Reclamation’s 24th Annual Conference in June, 2007 in Gillette, WY.  Following the presentations, a reception was held for industry, government, non-governmental organizations and  the public to meet with project investigators and discuss their work.  Approximately 60 people attended the presentations. 

In Task 2 (estimation of recharge in Wyoming’s PRB with uncertainty bounds), researchers:

·          Procured, programmed and installed monitoring equipment at two sites in the PRB. Equipment includes an eddy covariance system, rain gages, meteorological weather station, ultrasonic snow depth sensors, data loggers, and soil moisture sensors

·          Installed scintillometry system in the PRB for monitoring evapotranspiration across a small valley in the PRB.

·          Developed a database of existing meteorological and precipitation data for the PRB.

·          Collected in-situ soil samples and performed soil specific calibration of soil moisture sensors to improve performance.

·          Developed Task 2 website: http://wwweng.uwyo.edu/civil/faculty/ogden-files/PRB/Website/Powder%20River%20Basin%20Project.html.

·          Performed research on applicable models.  Chose and located the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model as an appropriate Land Surface Scheme for our modeling efforts.

·          Performed extensive literature review of existing vadose zone modeling techniques, VIC, Eddy Covariance systems, Time Domain Reflectometers (TDR) sensors and other key elements involved with Task 2.

·          Presented poster at Fall 2006 American Geophysical Union meeting, San Francisco, CA, Dec. 2006.

UW Investigator:   Dr. Fred Ogden, Cline Distinguished Chair in Civil Engineering and Environment and Natural Resources

In Task 3 (monitoring and modeling of groundwater contamination of trace elements from CBNG disposal ponds across Wyoming’s PRB), results include:

·          The pH of outfalls and disposal ponds ranged from 7.14 to 10.06 with the highest pH values appearing in the disposal ponds.  The pH of disposal ponds in the Cheyenne River watershed (CHR) is high due to one pond having a pH of 10.06 and the rest being in between 7.5 and 8.8. 

·          The mean alkalinity is increasing from outfall to disposal pond in all watersheds.  The disposal pond in the Powder River watershed (PR) has the highest concentration of alkalinity where the Belle Fourche (BFR) watershed has the lowest. Alkalinity ranged from 306 to 2358 mg/L CaCO3.

·          The electrical conductivity (EC) has a very similar pattern to the alkalinity.  The EC ranged from 612 to 3800 µS/cm with the highest reading occurring in the PR.  These measurements will aid in determining the total dissolved solids in each of the outfalls as well as the disposal ponds and aid in determining beneficial uses.

·          In the PR there were discharge ponds with sodium concentrations over 1000 mg/L.  The watersheds that had the lowest concentrations of sodium were the CHR and BFR but in the CHR the change between sodium concentrations in outfall versus pond is much larger than in the BFR.  The largest increase from the outfall to the discharge pond is in the PR.

·          Calcium concentrations are decreasing from the outfall to the discharge pond in the CHR, BFR, and Little Powder River (LPR) watersheds.  In the PR and TR there is a slight increase.  The decrease in the CHR, BFR, and LPR could be due to calcium bonding with the carbonate to make CaCO₃.  The increase in the PR and TR could be that CaCO3 is dissolving due to being oversaturated and is allowing calcium to be release back in the water column.

·          The magnesium in the outfalls in the CHR, PR, and TR is a smaller concentration than in the disposal ponds.  In the BFR the magnesium concentrations are the same and in the LPR the outfall concentration is slightly higher than in the disposal ponds. 

·          Potassium concentrations ranged from 2.1 to 35.3 mg/L and both the highest and lowest concentrations were found in the PR.  However, the trend of lower concentrations in the outfall and higher concentrations in the discharge ponds is once again followed.

·          Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) determines the amount of sodium is in the water sample in relation to the amount of calcium and magnesium.  SAR is used for irrigation standards.  In the case of the 2006 sampling season it was determined that every watershed exceeded an SAR value of 10.  The CHR, BFR, LPR, and PR watersheds each had the pattern of SAR increasing from outfall to discharge pond.  The TR watershed had SAR values slightly higher in the outfall than in the discharge pond.  One possible explanation for this is that CaCO₃ is dissolving back in to the water column because of undersaturation and causing the calcium concentration to increase which will bring the SAR values lower since there is more calcium in the water.

·          The two highest major anions in the outfall were chloride and sulfate.  Chloride was had the highest concentrations in all of the watersheds and sulfate had higher concentrations in the LPR, PR, and TR watersheds. 

·          For the same major anions in the discharge ponds chloride concentration increases but not at the same rate as the sulfate.  For example, sulfate has a concentration of 14 mg/L in the outfall, but when looking at the discharge pond, the concentration has increased to nearly 60 mg/L in the TR watershed.

·          The trace metals of arsenic, selenium, and molybdenum also increased from outfall to discharge pond.  In the CHR watershed the arsenic concentration increases from below 2 µg/L to higher than 9 µg/L.  Molybdenum had a high increase from outfall to discharge pond in the CHR.  It start out at well below 1 µg/L and increase in the discharge pond to nearly 8 µg/L.   Selenium increased in discharge ponds but not to above 1 µg/L.

·          Chromium increased from outfall to pond in the CHR, BFR, and LPR watersheds and decreased in the LPR watershed while staying constant in the TR watershed.  Manganese was similar in outfall and discharge pond in the CHR while dropping from outfall to discharge pond in the BFR.  In the LPR watershed there was a more dramatic decrease from out fall to pond and a decrease in the PR as well.  In the TR, manganese increased from outfall to pond.  Copper increased from outfall to discharge pond in CHR, BFR, LPR and TR while decreasing in the PR.  The highest concentration of copper was in the CHR watershed with nearly 30 µg/L.

·          The final three trace metals that were tested for in the water samples were boron, aluminum, and barium.  Boron increased from outfall to discharge pond as did aluminum.  The highest concentration of aluminum was found in the CHR watershed at over 1000 µg/L.  It was found that it was mostly in the from of Al(OH)₄^- due to a high pH of 10.06.  Barium tended to decrease from outfall to discharge pond.

UW Investigator:  Dr. K.J. Reddy, Department of Renewable Resources

Task 4 (environmental tracers applied to quantify impact of CBNG-related water production on surface and ground water and soil in Wyoming’s PRB):

Task 4a

·          The purpose of this part of the project is to sample the Powder River along its full length from Powder River, Wyoming to Terry, Montana at low flow (September) and high flow (May). In addition to standard water quality measurements on filtered water samples, we also obtained analyses of Li, B, As, Sr, Ba, Br, U, and isotopic ratios of Sr, Nd, O, and H. We collected suspended sediment and bedload for compositional and isotopic analysis. Three sites are being sampled monthly. The purpose of the study is to understand weathering and transport processes in an arid river system, to obtain baseline data along stretches of the Powder River where there has not been natural gas or oil development, and to determine what parameters are most sensitive to input of CBNG co-produced water.

·          The State of Montana has set limits for EC (micros/cm) and SAR for water flowing across the state line into Montana. We observe great variability in these parameters at the headwaters of the Powder River where no anthropogenic influences are present. In September 2006 samples from Sussex to Arvada exceeded Montana EC limits, although those collected in Montana did meet the standard. SAR for river water was variable for the headwater tributaries and exceeded Montana standards for much of the length of the river. We note an increase in SAR in Montana near the confluence with the Yellowstone that exceeds the Montana standard.

·          The Cl/Br ratio of water samples is high, as is typical of arid watersheds with alkaline soils. Beaver Creek, which is dominated by CBNG produced water, has a much lower Cl/Br than the Powder River.

·          The Sr isotopic ratio of Powder River water decreases downstream, reflecting dilution of radiogenic Sr from Wyoming’s Precambrian rocks exposed in Laramide uplifts by Sr from younger, less radiogenic rocks. The Sr isotopic ratio of suspended sediment parallels that of the water but is displaced to higher ratios because unradiogenic Sr from carbonate is concentrated in the dissolved load. Oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions of Powder River water are generally more negative than North Platte river water, consistent with a source at higher elevation and/or dominated by cold-weather precipitation. Powder River samples are typically less negative than CBNG co-produced water, which may have been recharged during colder climatic conditions. Both sets of samples have been variably affected by evaporation at some stage of their history.

·          Our preliminary conclusions are: 1) the natural variability of EC for Powder River upstream of CBNG development is in excess of Montana’s standards, 2) the natural SAR upstream of CBNG exceeds Montana limits, 3) SAR increases along the stretch of the Powder River where CBNG production is concentrated, 4) Stable O, H isotopic data shows colder precipitation for Powder River than North Platte, and 5) Sr isotope data represents a mass balance of various natural and anthropogenic inputs of Sr to the river.

Task 4b

·          In this part of the study we measured the Sr isotope ratios in groundwater at Skewed Reservoir and Beaver Creek sites.  We also did some preliminary hydrogen isotopic analyses of produced water, shallow ground water and several surface water samples, including some known to contain CBNG discharge. We determined that strontium (Sr) isotopes are effective fingerprints of the aquifer from which water originates.  In this study, CBNG water was found to have a higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio than the local alluvial aquifer water.  This measurable difference allows the strontium isotope ratio and concentration to be used as tracers of CBNG water following its discharge to the surface.  The dissolution and mobilization of salts from soil is an important contributor to ground water quality degradation.  In the Powder River Basin of Wyoming the soils are calcium carbonate buffered systems.  The chemical similarity of strontium to calcium allows it to substitute into calcium minerals and enabled us to use strontium isotopes to identify calcium salts mobilized from the soil.  We found that strontium isotopes are an effective monitor of the source of ions and the volume and direction of introduced water flow in the hyporheic zone.

·        We have used this tool to trace the infiltration of product water and show a connection between changes in water quality and strontium concentration at an on-channel CBNG disposal site.  We suggest that on-channel discharge shows promise for future disposal in that there are fewer salts in existing channels due to annual flushing.  However, the amount and duration of CBNG discharge may exceed the water mounding caused by annual flooding, in which case stream bank salts may be mobilized.  Additionally, the change in vegetation species and biomass that occurs due to the creation of a perennial stream may be of concern to landowners if the local vegetation, adapted to semi-arid conditions, is out-competed by undesirable riparian vegetation or by a floral community that is not stable when the source of water is removed. 

·        The conclusions drawn here that existing ephemeral channels have fewer soluble salts than the associated floodplain imply that ponds excavated off existing channels (off-channel) may also experience the mobilization of local salts.  Further work on salt mobilization from soils and the duration of ground water degradation in CBNG situations is needed.  The strontium isotope ratio may be used to fingerprint salts in off-channel situations as well.

Task 4c

·          This part of the study involves evaluating effectiveness of S and gypsum applications to CBNG irrigated fields. Water produced as a byproduct of CBNG production may be used for irrigation when its water quality permits.  The produced water, which is typically sodium-bicarbonate type, may cause adverse effects such as the dispersion of organic matter and clays, potentially resulting in reduced infiltration into the soils. These effects may be mitigated by the application of sulfur and gypsum amendments to the soil surface. Both contribute calcium to the soil’s cation exchange complex (CEC); gypsum through dissolution and sulfur by bringing naturally occurring calcite into solution.  

·          Soil samples were collected from two irrigated and two non-irrigated fields along the Powder River in northeast Wyoming.  One field has been irrigated for three years, while the other has undergone irrigation for six months. We used the isotopic ratio of naturally-occurring strontium of soil, irrigation water and amendments to trace the influence of gypsum and sulfur amendments on the soil column. We show that because of strontium’s chemical similarity to calcium the strontium isotopic ratio identifies inputs, changes to the calcium cycle, and downward movement of calcium from gypsum in fields irrigated with CBNG-produced water. Gypsum supplies more of the calcium for the CEC in fields that have undergone irrigation and gypsum application for three years compared to those with irrigation and amendment application for six months.  Calcium supplied by gypsum is apparently downwardly mobile in soil to depths of up to 30 cm on the older irrigated field.  Prolonged application of gypsum can apparently help the clays maintain their degree of flocculation and help to mitigate negative effects of using sodium rich CBNG water for irrigation.  The conclusions drawn by this study may help design future treatment options for CBNG produced water beneficial uses, while still protecting the integrity of the soil to which it is applied.

UW Investigator:  Dr. Carol Frost, Department of Geology and Geophysics

Task 5 (toolbox to evaluate treatment technologies for CBNG coproduced water):

·          Researchers developed a toolbox in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet with calculations performed by underlying Visual Basic macros.

·          At the top of the spreadsheet the user is asked a series of questions that allow her/him to use default water characteristic data or input known water constituent concentrations for both the influent and effluent water. The user is also asked to input the water flow rate entering the water treatment facility in barrels per day.

·          Once influent and effluent constituent concentrations are input the user clicks on one of the technology buttons. The macro that is linked to the button for the selected technology then calculates selected parameters such as labor and chemical costs, and other parameters such as: fraction of water treated, brine flow rate, and constituent concentrations in the brine and treated water. Calculations are based on treating the water from influent concentrations to the required effluent concentrations that the user specifies.

·          The user must then select a brine management technique by clicking one of the buttons under “Click to Select Brine Management.” The linked macro then calculates brine management costs based on the brine flow rate with respect to the total water flow rate entering the water treatment facility.  Both the treatment technology cost and brine management cost are then added together to provide the total water treatment cost.

·          The toolbox may be used to determine what technology is more cost effective and under what conditions. By plotting treatment cost versus sodium removal for selected technologies, the most cost effective technology may be determined for sodium removal. Analysis of this nature may also be conducted for any constituent of concern to determine the most cost effective technology.

·          The results are preliminary and should not be considered final until sensitivity and uncertainty analysis has been conducted on the toolbox. These will be conducted in the next quarter.

UW Investigator: Dr. David Bagley, Department of Civil Engineering

Task 6 (application of CBNG water to improved oil recovery by low salinity waterflooding in Wyoming):

·          The CBM water and oil reservoir survey was conducted to evaluate the potential of low salinity water injection to specific oil fields for improved recovery.  Data mining sources included US Geological Survey, Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, and the oil and gas producers. The following data have been collected and input in a Microsoft Access database:

o         Maps of oil fields;

o         Oil and gas pipeline distribution;

o         Location of oil and gas wells, CBNG wells and CBNG water outfalls;

o         Oil and gas and water production data; and

o         Water ion composition and salinity from each CBNG water outfall.

The database provides a useful tool for evaluation of using CBM water from a specific outfall for a specific oil field.

·          Laboratory core flood tests using Wyoming rock/crude oil and CBM water were performed to verify if oil recovery could be improved by CBM water injection. The results indicated that CBM water from the Powder River Basin might be used to improve oil recovery for Tensleep sandstone reservoirs. More tests are to be performed to determine the effect of CBM water on oil recovery for the Tensleep and other candidate reservoirs. Other factors that impact the viability of using CBM water to improve oil recovery are the relative locations of CBM wells and target reservoirs, the compatibility of the rock and fluid properties, and transportation costs.

UW Investigator:  Dr. Norman Morrow, Wold Chair in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering

Task 7 (enhancing the beneficial use of CBNG waters):

·          We continued our laboratory research on the use of natural zeolites for removing Na⁺ from CBNG waters. Using batch and column studies, we studied the potentials of calcium (Ca²⁺)-rich natural zeolites (clinoptilolite) from New Mexico and Idaho in treating CNBG waters as a function of water chemistry, particle size, and flow rate.

·          We studied the effects of pretreatment and modification of a locally available Wyoming (Na⁺)-rich natural zeolites (clinoptilolite) on its potentials in removing Na⁺ from CNBG waters.

·          We obtained samples of synthetic a-zirconium phosphate and a chabazite-dominant zeolite from Arizona and studied their potentials in removing Na⁺ from CNBG waters.

·          We conducted a small scale laboratory study using a 72 L fish tank for evaluating the applicability of applying zeolites to CNBG reservoirs.

·          Based upon the bench studies, we will compare the water treatment capacity of each media and select the appropriate one and technology that is most feasible and cost-effective in field CNBG water.

·          An integrated cost-effective treatment system is also being studied and developed.

UW Investigator:  Dr. George Vance, Department of Renewable Resources

Task 8 (longitudinal changes in toxicity of CBNG produced water along Beaver Creek in Wyoming’s PRB):

·          In-stream toxicity studies using caged fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas), concurrent laboratory toxicity tests and water quality analyses were conducted July 30, 2006 to August 3, 2006; October 15 to October 19, 2006; and concluded January 23 to January 27, 2007.  Two side studies evaluating ammonia transformations during transport and storage were conducted October 2006 and March 2007.  All tests were conducted in or with coalbed natural gas product water and receiving water from an effluent-dominated ephemeral drainage (Beaver Creek) in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming.

·          The study highlighted the fate and effect of ammonia but also addressed potential sodium bicarbonate toxicity.  Chemical analyses of the effluent and receiving water characterized environmental interactions and were used to compare the ammonia concentrations to EPA criterion.  In the laboratory, two whole effluent toxicity test method environments were compared, ambient-pH and CO₂-controlled.  Finally, collection, transport and storage of unpreserved CBNG product water were evaluated to determine if ammonification occurred during transport from the in-stream environment to the laboratory.

·          Results, similar for all three seasonal periods, indicate no apparent acute toxicity in the drainage evidenced by acceptable survival of the caged fathead minnows, acceptable survival in the laboratory toxicity tests after 96 h, and observations of amphibian and fish from the discharge point to the confluence with the Powder River.  Temperature and pH-sensitive ammonia toxicity was mitigated as the product water interacted with the sediment and CaCO₃ formation buffered the pH of the effluent.  Calcium and Ba²⁺ decreased longitudinally from the outfall as SO₄^2- increased, likely due to dissociation of gypsum (CaSO₄) and formation of CaCO₃ and barite (BaSO₄).  Therefore, CBNG water quality interactions with the stream bed provided mitigating factors that helped minimize aquatic toxicity.  The ammonia was also likely assimilated by plants and microbes, decreasing the ammonia toxicity and increasing the primary production of the ecosystem.

·          Because our study design only determined acute toxicity (i.e., survival), further toxicity tests using younger age fish would need to be conducted to determine potential chronic toxicity effects. 

·          In conclusion, potential acute toxic effects of particularly ammonia, although present in significant concentrations in CBNG effluent, are likely mitigated by the geochemical relationships of the effluent and the natural environment.  Survival in the in-stream and laboratory toxicity tests, observations of aquatic life, and compliance with acute ammonia criterion indicate no overt adverse affects in Beaver Creek from CBNG product water.  Current state-issued discharge permits and testing requirements for CBNG produced water should be evaluated since the potential pH drift and possible ammonification could bias any laboratory toxicity test. Also, if ammonia criteria are applied in ephemeral drainages, the environmental condition at the time of sample should be considered.

UW Investigator:  Dr. Joe Meyer, Department of Zoology and Physiology

Task 9 (enhanced risk assessment of West Nile virus resulting from CBNG production waters:

·          The goal of this research is to identify and carry out improved methods for quantifying Culex tarsalis mosquito larval habitat in the area affected by co-produced waters during CBNG extraction processes. 

·          Research in the past year was focused on integrating intensive field sampling of mosquito larvae habitat with remote sensing analyses.  A field campaign was carried out in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming in late summer, 2006.  This field effort was timed to be coincidental with the period of highest risk of exposure to West Nile Virus in the region.  Mosquito larvae were identified in the lab down to the genus and species with the results mapped in a geographic information system. 

·          The vast majority of the water bodies sampled were positive for C.  tarsalis, the mosquito vector most responsible for transmission of West Nile Virus in Wyoming. 

·          Remote sensing data were collected that aligned temporally with the field sampling data at a range of spatial scales.

·          Preliminary results show an increased ability to identify water bodies at finer resolution and with greater accuracy than was accomplished in previous efforts. 

·          Ongoing research aims to build on these findings with habitat mapping and identify the best strategy for monitoring and mosquito control.

UW Investigator:  Dr. Scott Miller, Department of Renewable Resources

Task 10 (integrating CBNG science and management:  lessons learned and ways forward):

·          A timeline was created illustrating the major decisions from 1900 to the present that have affected CBNG development in the Powder River Basin.  The Task 10 team is now making this timeline interactive and will post it on the Wyoming Energy Resource Information Clearinghouse (WERIC).  WERIC is a joint project of University of Wyoming's William D. Ruckelshaus Institute and the Helga Otto Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, the University of Wyoming's Wyoming Geographic Information Sciences Center, the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Department of Energy Office of Science.  This interactive timeline will better allow individuals to visually understand the many steps that have played a role in the CBNG development process, and, in addition, what decisions, if made differently, might have changed and/or impacted the Powder River Basin.

·          From this timeline, a select number of key decision points are being examined as possible drivers of development in more detail.  These include: (1) the Natural Gas Wellhead Decontrol Act of 1989 in which “first sales” of natural gas were to be free of any federal price regulations; (2) the State of Wyoming’s 1999 actions to encourage development of CBNG on state lands; (3) the Bush Administration’s 2000 National Energy Policy; (4) the State of  Wyoming’s categorization of CBNG byproduct water as “beneficial use” under state water law; and (5) the State of Montana’s 2005 strengthening of the antidegradation criteria for Electrical Conductivity and Sodium Adsorption Ratio under the Clean Water Act for key rivers and streams in the basin.

·          A portion of the Task 10 effort focuses on the spatial and temporal distribution of Wyoming CBNG data.  Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology is being used to analyze past patterns of development that can be linked with the timeline and perceptions analyses being performed by other Task 10 members.  Two dominant research questions propel these efforts:

o         Can the spatial and temporal patterns of the development of CBM in the Powder River Basin be identified, mapped, and used to understand the mechanisms governing CBM development?

o         Do the temporal and spatial changes in development within the basin match the previously identified legal and regulatory decision making nodes that now govern CBM development?

·          To address these research questions, data related to the location, number, and distribution of well heads have been and continue to be analyzed for the following characteristics:

o         Spatial and temporal locations of both permitted and functioning wells (almost twice as many permits have been issued as wells have been drilled and/or activated).

o         Patterns of development relative to land ownership.  The underlying theory is that development in the basin did not follow a systematic spatial expansion but was more dependent on surface and mineral ownership.

o         Scalar analysis of the timing and amounts of gas and water discharges.  Each well emits measured quantities of both gas and water (these data are freely available), but a systematic spatial analysis of their relative quantities has not been performed to date.

UW Investigators:  Dr. Scott Miller, Department of Renewable Resources; and Dr. Fred Ogden, Cline Distinguished Chair in Civil Engineering and Environment and Natural Resources

For more information, contact Dr. Harold Bergman, Director, Ruckelshaus Institute of Environment and Natural Resources:  ienr@uwyo.edu

Presentations

Brinck, L., 2006, Water and soil quality issues associated with coal bed natural gas development using strontium isotopes as a natural tracer. 2006 EPA Graduate Fellowship Conference, Washington DC Sept. 24-27, 2006.

Chen-Charpentier, B., F. Furtado and F. Pereira, Modeling of Groundwater Contamination of Trace Elements From CBNG Disposal Ponds, ASMR Annual meeting,  Gillette, Wyoming, June 5, 2007.

Ganjegunte, G., G.F. Vance, R. Gregory and R. Surdam. 2006. Utilization of zeolite for reducing sodium and salt concentrations in saline-sodic coalbed natural gas waters. Presented at the Soil Science Society of America Annual Meetings, Indianapolis, IN. Agronomy Abstracts CD-ROM 534.

Jackson, R.E., and K.J. Reddy.  2007. (Keynote Presentation) Coalbed natural gas produced water: Geochemistry and beneficial uses in semi-arid environment. Special Symposium: Coal and Coal Combustion By-products, 9^th International Conference on Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements, Beijing, China. July 15-19, 2007.

King, L.A., G.F. Vance and G.K. Ganjegunte. 2006. Impacts to soil and biological properties from land application with CBNG water. Presented at the Winter Technical Meeting - Coal Bed Natural Gas Production Water: Utilization, Limitations and Issues Symposium. Soil and Water Conservation Society, Wyoming Chapter and Society for Range Management, Wyoming Section. Sheridan, WY.

Milligan C. L., and K.J. Reddy.  2007. Monitoring the Quality of CBNG Produced Water Across the Powder River Basin, WY.  2007 National Water Quality Conference, Savanna, Georgia, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Cooperative Research and Extension Service, Washington, January 29-February 1^st, 2007.

Milligan C. L., and K.J. Reddy.  2007. Monitoring of Trace Elements in CBNG Disposal Ponds Across the Powder River Basin, Wyoming. American Society of Mining and Reclamation’s 24^th Annual Conference, Gillette, Wyoming.  June 4-7^th, 2007.

Reddy, K.J., R. E. Jackson, C. L. Milligan. 2007. (Invited) Coalbed Natural Gas (CBNG) Produced Water Quality Across the Powder River Basin, Wyoming: Beneficial Uses. Colorado State University Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering Seminar Series, Fort Collins, Colorado, March 23^rd, 2007.

Sajtar, E.T. Bagley, D.M. Johnson, D.W. 2007. Getting the Salt Out: Technologies and Costs for treating CBNG Produced waters in the Powder River Basin. American Society of Mining and Reclamation Annual Conference. June 5, 2007. Gillette, Wyoming.

Vance, G.F. 2006. Irrigation with saline-sodic waters from CBNG Production. Presented at the Winter Technical Meeting - Coal Bed Natural Gas Production Water: Utilization, Limitations and Issues Symposium. Soil and Water Conservation Society, Wyoming Chapter and Society for Range Management, Wyoming Section. Sheridan, WY.

Vance, G.F. 2006. Management of saline-sodic waters from coalbed natural gas production. Presented at the Special Symposium “Management and Use of Waters of Altered and Impaired Quality” at the Soil Science Society of America Annual Meetings, Indianapolis, IN. Agronomy Abstracts CD-ROM 103-5.

Publications

Brinck, E.L., Frost, C.D., 2007, Detecting infiltration and impacts of introduced water using strontium isotopes. Accepted by Ground Water March 2007.

Brinck, E.L., Frost, C.D., 2007, Using strontium isotopes to evaluate CBM irrigation amendments. 30 Years of SMCRA and Beyond, National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, Gillette WY June 2-7, 2007. R.I. Barnhisel (ed.), published by ASMR, 2134 Montavesta Road, Lexington KY 40502.

Carter, S.A., Mailloux, J., Frost, C.D., Sharma, S., Meredith, M.T., 2007, Isotopic and geochemical characterization of the Powder River, Wyoming and Montana. 30 Years of SMCRA and Beyond, National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, Gillette WY June 2-7, 2007. R.I. Barnhisel (ed.), published by ASMR, 2134 Montavesta Road, Lexington KY 40502.

Jackson, R.E., and K.J. Reddy.  2007. Geochemistry of CBNG produced water in Powder River Basin:  Salinity and Sodicity. Journal of Water, Air, and Soil Pollution. DOI:10.1007/s11270-007-9398-9, May 3^rd, 2007.

 Jackson, R.E., and K.J. Reddy.  2007. Trace element chemistry of coalbed natural gas produced water in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology.  DOI: 10.1021/es062504o. 20 July, 2007.

 Jackson, R.E., and K.J. Reddy.  2007. Coalbed natural gas (CBNG) produced water: Geochemical processes and beneficial uses in semi-arid environments. In Zhu et al., (ed.) Proceedings of 9^th International Conference on Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements, Tsinghua University Press, Beijing, China. pp372-373.

Johnston, C.R., G.F. Vance and Girisha Ganjegunte. 2007. Impacts of coalbed natural gas co-produced water on cropland irrigated soils in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming. In: R.I. Barnhisel (Ed.) American Society of Mining and Reclamation Proceedings. Published by ASMR, 2134 Montavesta Rd., Lexington, KY 40502. pp. 350-372.

Miller, S.N., H.R. Griscom, R. Sivanpillai, and L. Zou, 2007. Identifying mosquito larvae habitat created by CBNG discharge waters using remote sensing. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the ASMR 2007: 30 Years of SMCRA and Beyond, June 2-7, 2007, Gillette, WY. CD-ROM Publication pp. 514-519.

Milligan, C.L., and K.J. Reddy.  2007. Monitoring the Quality of CBNG Produced Water Across the Powder River Basin, WY.  Abstract: In Proceedings of 2007 National Quality Conference, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Cooperative Research and Extension Service, Washington, D.C.

Milligan C. L., and K.J. Reddy.  2007. Monitoring of Trace Elements in CBNG Disposal Ponds Across the Powder River Basin, Wyoming. In Proceedings of Thirty Years of SMRCA and Beyond, National Meetings of American Society of Mining and Reclamation, 3134 Montavesta Road, Lexington, Kentucky, 40502.

Vance, G.F., H. Zhao, A. Urynowicz, G.K. Ganjegunte and R.W. Gregory. 2007. Potential utilization of natural zeolites for treating coalbed natural gas (CBNG) produced waters: Batch and column studies. In: R.I. Barnhisel (Ed.) American Society of Mining and Reclamation Proceedings. Published by ASMR, 2134 Montavesta Rd., Lexington, KY 40502. pp. 837-844.

Xie, X.,  Hui Pu and Norman R. Morrow. Aspects of coalbed natural gas water and oil recovery. Paper presented at the 2007, 30 Years of SMCRA and Beyond, National Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation, June 2-7, 2007, Gillette WY, R.I. Barnhisel (ed.) Published by ASMR, 3134 Montavesta Rd., Lexington, KY 40502.

Zhao, H., G.F. Vance, M.A. Urynowicz, G.K. Ganjegunte and R.W. Gregory. 2007. An Integrated process using zeolites for treating saline-sodic waters produced from coalbed natural gas operations. Clay Mineral Society Abstracts. CD-ROM.