Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Surface and Groundwater Water Resources: Case Study from Louisiana: Fid-Bau Portal

Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Surface and Groundwater Water Resources: Case Study from Louisiana

Unruh, Hanz / Habib, Emad H. / Borrok, David

Hydraulic fracturing activities have been gaining more attention; therefore, a better understanding of the potential stress that fracturing may cause to freshwater resources is needed. The goal of this study is to assess the impact of current and projected future water demands for hydraulic fracturing on water resources in two main shale plays in the US state of Louisiana: the Haynesville shale and the Tuscaloosa Marine shale. The study analyzes historical and future projected fracturing scenarios that simulate different extraction rates over the two shale plays. In each fracturing scenario, stresses on both surface and groundwater are evaluated separately using the Water Supply Stress Index (WaSSI). Under all scenarios, the impact of fracturing water demands on surface water resources is within the low-stress category in most watersheds in both shale plays. In contrast, groundwater resources appear to be highly vulnerable under all fracturing scenarios. The results suggest that nongroundwater resources in Louisiana’s shale plays should be used for fracturing activities instead of groundwater whenever possible. The results provide a quantitative assessment of the current and future water stress due to fracturing and have important implications for regional water allocation and management policies.