April 051

Kevin Parks, P.Geol., Ph.D.Leader, Groundwater SectionKevin Parks, P.Geol., Ph.D.

Leader, Groundwater Section

Deep Well Disposal and

Aquifer Storage and Retrieval

Deep Well Disposal and

Aquifer Storage and Retrieval

Kevin Parks APEGGA Professional Development Days April 22 2005Kevin Parks APEGGA Professional Development Days April 22 2005

April 052

1. Water Management Change Drivers2. Deep Well Disposal in Alberta3. Natural Gas Storage – An ASR

Analogue in Alberta4. Aquifer Storage and Retrieval5. ASR Opportunities in Alberta

1. Water Management Change Drivers2. Deep Well Disposal in Alberta3. Natural Gas Storage – An ASR

Analogue in Alberta4. Aquifer Storage and Retrieval5. ASR Opportunities in Alberta

OutlineOutline

April 053

1. Population growth, industrialization and population intensification

2. Climate variability and climate change3. Regionalization and centralization4. Increased irrigation opportunities

1. Population growth, industrialization and population intensification

2. Climate variability and climate change3. Regionalization and centralization4. Increased irrigation opportunities

Water Management Change DriversWater Management Change Drivers

April 054

Deep Well Disposal in AlbertaDeep Well Disposal in Alberta

• The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) regulates the management of all produced water as per the Oil and Gas Conservation Act (OGCA)

• Disposal is not permitted above the Base of Groundwater Protection (BGWP)

• Aquifers containing water with < 4,000 mg/L total dissolved solids are above the BGWP

• The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) regulates the management of all produced water as per the Oil and Gas Conservation Act (OGCA)

• Disposal is not permitted above the Base of Groundwater Protection (BGWP)

• Aquifers containing water with < 4,000 mg/L total dissolved solids are above the BGWP

April 055

Alberta Regulatory FrameworkAlberta Regulatory Framework

The EUB deep-well disposal philosophy (Guide 51):• Section 2.1 – A system of classifying injection and

disposal wells has been developed on the basis of injected or disposed fluid such that the design, operating, and monitoring requirements are consistent with the type of fluid injected

• Section 2.2 – Deep well disposal of oilfield and industrial wastewaters is a safe and viable disposal option where wells are properly constructed, operated and monitored

The EUB deep-well disposal philosophy (Guide 51):• Section 2.1 – A system of classifying injection and

disposal wells has been developed on the basis of injected or disposed fluid such that the design, operating, and monitoring requirements are consistent with the type of fluid injected

• Section 2.2 – Deep well disposal of oilfield and industrial wastewaters is a safe and viable disposal option where wells are properly constructed, operated and monitored

April 056

Alberta Regulatory FrameworkAlberta Regulatory Framework

• Deep well disposal guiding principles:– Implementation of waste minimization-

recycled produced water if possible.– Resource conservation - including surface

water, and waste streams.• Regulatory activities focus on:

– Wellbore integrity – initial and ongoing containment of disposal fluids.

– Formation suitability– Reporting of disposal volumes

• Deep well disposal guiding principles:– Implementation of waste minimization-

recycled produced water if possible.– Resource conservation - including surface

water, and waste streams.• Regulatory activities focus on:

– Wellbore integrity – initial and ongoing containment of disposal fluids.

– Formation suitability– Reporting of disposal volumes

April 057

Alberta Regulatory FrameworkAlberta Regulatory Framework

• Disposal wells are classified from IV to I to identify those that require increasing levels of monitoring and surveillance

• Class II wells are the most common type of disposal well. Used for produced water disposal

• Class II well completion must provide hydraulic isolation of the disposal zone and non-saline groundwater – cemented casing

• Disposal wells are classified from IV to I to identify those that require increasing levels of monitoring and surveillance

• Class II wells are the most common type of disposal well. Used for produced water disposal

• Class II well completion must provide hydraulic isolation of the disposal zone and non-saline groundwater – cemented casing

April 058

Typical Class II WellTypical Class II Well

TubingTubing

Ground LevelGround Level

Surface CasingSurface CasingBGWPBGWP

CementCement

PackerPacker

PerforationsPerforations

CaprockCaprock

Disposal Zone

Corrosion Inhibiting FluidCorrosion Inhibiting Fluid

Production CasingProduction Casing

Disposal FluidDisposal Fluid

April 059

South Athabasca Study AreaSouth Athabasca Study Area

April 0510

McMurray Fm.Disposal

McMurray Fm.Disposal

McMurray bitumen& more continuous water zonesMcMurray bitumen& more continuous water zones

McMurray bitumen & more isolated water zonesMcMurray bitumen & more isolated water zones

McMurray AquiferMcMurray AquiferMcMurray outcropsMcMurray outcrops

T88T88

T80T80

T70T70

R1W4MR1W4MR10R10R18R18

April 0511

McMurray Fm.Disposal

McMurray Fm.Disposal

Topography-driven radial flow systems in the McMurray Fm.

Topography-driven radial flow systems in the McMurray Fm.

Downdip flow to westDowndip flow to west

Updip flow to north and eastUpdip flow to north and east

T88T88

T80T80

T70T70

R1W4MR1W4MR10R10R18R18

April 0512

McMurray Fm.Disposal

McMurray Fm.Disposal

Most McMurray disposal concentrated along boundary between thick bitumen and McMurray Aquifer

Most McMurray disposal concentrated along boundary between thick bitumen and McMurray Aquifer T88

T88

T80T80

T70T70

R1W4MR1W4MR10R10R18R18

Injection wellInjection well

April 0513

Deep Well Disposal in AlbertaDeep Well Disposal in Alberta

• As of December 31st, 2003, there were 1846 wells capable of injection and 1338 operational.

• As of December 31st, 2003, there were 1846 wells capable of injection and 1338 operational.

April 0514

1. What is it? –The underground re-injection of produced natural gas to provide industry with short-term deliverability during peak demand.

2. Number of projects in Alberta1. 8 operational gas-storage projects as of Dec 31,

2003. Several new gas-storage projects announced since.

2. 7 clastic projects, 1 carbonate project.3. Serviced by over 100 gas injection wells.

3. Gas stored under fee-for-service or buy-sell or other contractual agreements.

1. What is it? –The underground re-injection of produced natural gas to provide industry with short-term deliverability during peak demand.

2. Number of projects in Alberta1. 8 operational gas-storage projects as of Dec 31,

2003. Several new gas-storage projects announced since.

2. 7 clastic projects, 1 carbonate project.3. Serviced by over 100 gas injection wells.

3. Gas stored under fee-for-service or buy-sell or other contractual agreements.

Natural Gas Storage in AlbertaNatural Gas Storage in Alberta

April 0515

Alberta Gas-Storage Injection/Withdrawal VolumesAlberta Gas-Storage Injection/Withdrawal Volumes

April 0516

1. What is it?2. ASR Projects in North America3. Known Issues and Knowledge Gaps4. ASR Opportunity in Alberta

1. What is it?2. ASR Projects in North America3. Known Issues and Knowledge Gaps4. ASR Opportunity in Alberta

Aquifer Storage and RetrievalAquifer Storage and Retrieval

April 0517

What is ASR?

• ASR is the storage of water in a suitable aquifer through a well during times when water is available and recovery of the water from the same well during times when it is needed.

Pyne, 1994.

What is ASR?

• ASR is the storage of water in a suitable aquifer through a well during times when water is available and recovery of the water from the same well during times when it is needed.

Pyne, 1994.

Aquifer Storage and Retrieval (ASR)Aquifer Storage and Retrieval (ASR)

April 0518

ASR SchematicASR Schematic

www.asrforum.com

April 0519

ASR Projects in North America • Estimated 69 projects in United States

in 2005 with 100+ in planning stage.• In Canada – one new ASR project in

Kitchener-Waterloo.

www.asrforum.com

ASR Projects in North America • Estimated 69 projects in United States

in 2005 with 100+ in planning stage.• In Canada – one new ASR project in

Kitchener-Waterloo.

www.asrforum.com

ASR Projects in North AmericaASR Projects in North America

April 0520

General observations of US experience:• Number of projects increasing over

time.• Local geology controls type of aquifer

storage injection zone, no preference,• Most stored a combination of surface

water and groundwater.

General observations of US experience:• Number of projects increasing over

time.• Local geology controls type of aquifer

storage injection zone, no preference,• Most stored a combination of surface

water and groundwater.

Aquifer Storage and RetrievalAquifer Storage and Retrieval

April 0521

1. Well plugging and bio-fouling2. Aquifer fracturing3. Geochemical reactions4. Groundwater mixing and natural

contaminants5. Bubble migration6. Regulatory Issues

1. Well plugging and bio-fouling2. Aquifer fracturing3. Geochemical reactions4. Groundwater mixing and natural

contaminants5. Bubble migration6. Regulatory Issues

Issues and Knowledge GapsIssues and Knowledge Gaps

April 0522

1. Drift Aquifers2. Empress Formation3. Paskapoo Formation4. Edmonton Group5. Belly River Formation6. Milk River Formation7. Mannville Group

1. Drift Aquifers2. Empress Formation3. Paskapoo Formation4. Edmonton Group5. Belly River Formation6. Milk River Formation7. Mannville Group

Opportunities for ASR in AlbertaOpportunities for ASR in Alberta

April 0523

Drift Succession Hydrogeological Model

‘Stair-stepped’, labyrinth connection of aquifers

Drift Succession Hydrogeological Model

‘Stair-stepped’, labyrinth connection of aquifers

~30 km

~200

m~2

00m

Till

TillTill

Till

Till

Till

Clay & Silt

Cold Lake

Cold LakeMarie Lake

Marie Lake

Sand, gravel

Sand, gravel

Sand, gravel

Sand, gravelSand, gravel

Sand, gravelSand, gravel

Helina Channel

Helina Channel

sand, gravel

Empress Fm. Unit 1

Muriel Lake Fm.

Bonnyville Fm. Unit 1

Empress Fm. Unit 3

Ethel Lake Fm.

B

B

B’

B’

April 0524

AGS Test Hole WEPA99-1

AGS Test Hole WEPA99-1

03-08-77-14W4M03-08-77-14W4M Arsenic-bearing minerals

Arsenic-bearing minerals

Naturally Occurring Arsenic in Geological Materials

Naturally Occurring Arsenic in Geological Materials

April 0525

1. Shallow2. Good ambient

water quality

1. Shallow2. Good ambient

water quality

ASR in Drift Aquifers: Pros & ConsASR in Drift Aquifers: Pros & Cons

1. Discontinuous, limited storage.

2. Vulnerable to pollution.

3. Natural contaminants present.

1. Discontinuous, limited storage.

2. Vulnerable to pollution.

3. Natural contaminants present.

++ --

April 0526

April 0527

Locationof

Study Area

Locationof

Study Area

April 0528

High 630m+High 630m+

Low 390 maslLow 390 masl

500m500m

Bedrock Topographyand Buried Valleys

Bedrock Topographyand Buried Valleys Sinclair C

hannel

Bronson Channel

Holyoke Channel

Big Meadow

Moore Lk.

Channel

Sand River C

hannel

Kehiwin

Helina Valley

Helina Valley

Beve

rly V

alley

Beve

rly V

alley

Verm

ilion

Valle

y

Verm

ilion

Valle

y

Kikino Valley

Kikino Valley

Helina Valley

Helina Valley

Wiau ValleyWiau Valley

April 0529

Distribution of Empress Fm.

Unit3 Sand and Gravel

Distribution of Empress Fm.

Unit3 Sand and Gravel

Glacially disturbed and displaced sedimentGlacially disturbed and displaced sediment

Glacially displaced bedrockGlacially displaced bedrock

April 0530

0

20

40

60

80

0

20

40

60

80

Grand Centre(n = 7)

Sand River(n = 43)

Marie Creek(n = 24)

Ethel Lake(n = 56)

Muriel Lake(n = 49)

Bonnyville 2 Till(n = 16)

Bonnyville 1 Ss(n = 7)

Empress 3(n = 16)

Empress 1(n = 23)

AquiferAquifer--Test Derived K values*Test Derived K values*

* From Cold Lake-Beaver River Drainage Basin, northeast Alberta

April 0531

1. Shallow, continuous along valley trends.

2. Good ambient water quality.

3. Tend to have high K, low ambient heads, lots of storage.

1. Shallow, continuous along valley trends.

2. Good ambient water quality.

3. Tend to have high K, low ambient heads, lots of storage.

ASR in Buried Valley Aquifers: Pros & ConsASR in Buried Valley Aquifers: Pros & Cons

1. Lateral discontinuities, ice thrust margins.

2. Some vulnerability to pollution.

3. Many daylight in modern river valleys.

1. Lateral discontinuities, ice thrust margins.

2. Some vulnerability to pollution.

3. Many daylight in modern river valleys.

++ --

April 0532

1. Bedrock geology2. Bedrock topography3. Surficial geology and drift thickness4. Near-surface intrinsic permeability5. Water chemistry6. Geophysical logs

1. Bedrock geology2. Bedrock topography3. Surficial geology and drift thickness4. Near-surface intrinsic permeability5. Water chemistry6. Geophysical logs

Hydrogeology Informationfor ASR at AGS

Hydrogeology Informationfor ASR at AGS