A Life Cycle Approach to Subsurface Water Disposal Design for Unconventional Gas Development

Abstract Effective management of subsurface water disposal is critical for unconventional gas development due to the large volumes of water flowed-back and produced. This study introduces a comprehensive, life cycle-based framework for subsurface water disposal focusing on unconventional gas development. The framework combines subsurface characterization, injectivity testing, and environmental impact assessment. It's approach also integrates field data, reservoir simulation, and geochemical and economic modeling with long-term risk mitigation and monitoring. This study demonstrates that integrating a life cycle perspective into water disposal design enhances decision-making by balancing technical feasibility, economic viability, and reduces the environmental impacts associated. Key findings indicate that identification of optimal injection method and proper reservoir characterization reduces risks of formation overpressure and groundwater contamination. Additionally, long-term monitoring of disposal wells ensures operational safety and regulatory compliance. The findings also highlight the necessity of proactive risk management which can enable us to develop a customized disposal strategy that balances operational demands with environmental and regulatory considerations.