Modelling the impacts of shale gas extraction on groundwater and surface water resources

Romain Chesnaux, Lucie Dal Soglio, Gilles Wendling

In the proceedings of: GeoMontréal 2013: 66th Canadian Geotechnical Conference; 11th joint with IAH-CNC

Session: Mineral and Gas II

ABSTRACT: The impacts of unconventional shale gas extraction on groundwater and surface water resources have raised considerable interest from the public due to controversial environmental impacts associated with this industry. Conceptual models, based on numerical modelling are here used to illustrate the potential consequences of hydraulic short-circuits and cross-contamination between shallow aquifers and surface water with deep shale gas formations. The modelling is based on conditions similar to what could be encountered in Northeast British Columbia, Canada.

RÉSUMÉ: Les impacts de l™extraction non-conventionnelle des gaz de shale sur les eaux de surface et les eaux souterraines ont sollicité un intérêt considérable du public à cause des impacts environnementaux controversés qui sont associés à cette industrie. Des modèles conceptuels, basés sur de la modélisation numérique ont été établis dans cette étude pour illustrer les conséquences potentielles des courts-circuits hydrauliques et de la contamination croisée entre les aquifères en surface et les eaux de surface et les formations profondes de gaz de shale. La modélisation est basée sur des conditions similaires à celles rencontrées dans le nord-est de la Colombie-Britannique au Canada.

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Cite this article:
Romain Chesnaux; Lucie Dal Soglio; Gilles Wendling (2013) Modelling the impacts of shale gas extraction on groundwater and surface water resources in GEO2013. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Geotechnical Society.

@article{GeoMon2013Paper557,author = Romain Chesnaux; Lucie Dal Soglio; Gilles Wendling,title = Modelling the impacts of shale gas extraction on groundwater and surface water resources,year = 2013}