January 23, 2008--Little water used so far in Piceance Basin coal bed methane extraction (Glenwood Springs Post Independent)
A study has found that coal bed methane production in the Piceance Basin has resulted in the consumption of less than 1 acre-foot of water, or about 326,000 gallons of water. The hydrologist who participated in the study called the total an “extremely small” figure. The study was commissioned because of concerns that the production of water from coal bed methane wells could cause stream depletions or reductions in spring flows, which could potentially impact water rights holders, the state of Colorado and downstream water users not in Colorado. The study also found that because of the poor quality of the water produced from coal bed methane wells, there are no viable options for surface discharge of water that could flow to a stream, and no other beneficial uses for the produced water. And because of significant technical and regulatory hurdles, it is “unlikely that the construction of necessary infrastructure to treat or transfer water to points in the basin will be economically feasible in the near future,” the study said.
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