Poster Details
REGULATORY HISTORY AND MANAGEMENT OF GAS WASTE IN PENNSYLVANIA
The management of waste, especially wastewater, from conventional and unconventional oil and gas (O&G) extraction poses health and environmental concern in states like Pennsylvania, USA. Wastewater, typically disposed through reuse processes, injection disposal wells, and NPDES facilities permitted for discharge to surface water, contains high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS), metals, and radioactive materials. Discharge monitoring reports (DMRs) for NPDES facilities accepting O&G wastewater were collected from the DEP’s electronic discharge monitoring report system (eDMR) and from file reviews at the PA DEP Southwest regional office. Reported wastewater chemistry and volumes from DMR reports were compared to volumes reported by O&G operators in the PA DEP O&G reporting website. The DMR and O&G reporting data were used to predict annual metal loads to PA streams from NPDES facilities accepting oil and gas wastewater. Uncertainties were modeled using Monte Carlo simulations and data are presented in GIS maps illustrating historical metal loads in PA watersheds. Current disposal trends, associated regulations, and recommendations for better wastewater management and monitoring are presented in more detail.
Travis Tasker (Primary Presenter/Author), The Pennsylvania State University, tlt216@psu.edu;
John Gattermeyer ( Co-Presenter/Co-Author), The Pennsylvania State University, john.gattermeyer.3@gmail.com;
William Burgos ( Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Penn State, wbd3@psu.edu;
Lara Fowler ( Co-Presenter/Co-Author), The Pennsylvania State University, lbf10@psu.edu;