A modeling study of air migration from a drilling well to the surrounding aquifer in appalachia

X. L. Geng, M. C. Boufadel, N. C. Davatzes, D. J. Soeder, J. Torlapati

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We investigate the migration of high pressure air in a fractured groundwater aquifer during the process of drilling a shale gas well using the air hammer technique. We consider a scenario where the high pressure air used for the drilling process could leak into the aquifer. A three-dimensional conceptual numerical model was developed using TOUGH2 to quantify the spatial and temporal impact of such a leak on the surrounding aquifers. We have also studied the sensitivity of the numerical model to the air pressure used during the drilling process. Our simulations indicate that the air migrated through the fractures and was released approximately 300 m away from leaking area in just a few hours.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2013
Subtitle of host publicationShowcasing the Future - Proceedings of the 2013 Congress
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages2810-2817
Number of pages8
ISBN (Print)9780784412947
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
EventWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2013: Showcasing the Future - Cincinnati, OH, United States
Duration: May 19 2013May 23 2013

Publication series

NameWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2013: Showcasing the Future - Proceedings of the 2013 Congress

Other

OtherWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2013: Showcasing the Future
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityCincinnati, OH
Period5/19/135/23/13

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Water Science and Technology

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