Nat Gas Now: What About Water?
- Nat Gas Now: What About Water?
- Wednesday, May 4
Water is an essential natural resource and one that is heavily
utilized in virtually all forms of energy production. In this
installment of Nat Gas Now, we take a look at how water is used
both for natural gas extraction and electricity generation.
We also take a look at how that usage stacks up in comparison
to other energy choices.
ANGA members are continually pursuing innovations that help
advance water conservation. QEP CEO Chuck Stanley noted in a March roundtable at CERAWeek that
his company is recycling nearly 100 percent of the water used in
its operations in Wyoming's Pinedale Anticline, lessening the
impact on the environment and saving the company money. Media
are reporting nearly every week about the efforts of ANGA members
to innovate, from Apache and Encana building an
award-winning water treatment plant in British Columbia to
El Paso pioneering recycling and other technologies, all of which
protect and reduce consumption of fresh water supplies.
Greater use of natural gas for cleaner electricity generation can help conserve water. While natural gas extraction does require significant volumes of water, this process occurs typically only a handful of times over the 40-50 year lifespan of a typical shale gas well. By contrast, millions of gallons of water are required on a continual basis to generate power from other energy sources.
In fact, a study by Harvard University concluded that natural gas-fired combined cycle power plants have some of the lowest consumption of water per unit of electricity generated, helped by the relatively high thermal efficiency of these plants. Translation? Greater use of natural gas for electricity generation could lead to significant progress in water conservation.
Water is a precious resource that should be protected and conserved. The natural gas community is committed to doing its part through continual innovation to 'reduce, reuse and recycle.' It's just one more reason to join the call for Nat Gas Now.
