Hydrologic Characterization & Monitoring: Oil Shale Research, Development, and Demonstration Project
Rio Blanco County, Colorado
Western Water & Land provides ongoing hydrologic services to one of the leading oil shale research organizations conducting research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) operations in the Piceance Creek Basin in northwestern Colorado. Our firm was selected for the project based on our hydrologic expertise, our reputation with the state (Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety) and federal (U.S. Bureau of Land Management) agencies overseeing operations, and our extensive knowledge of geologic and hydrologic conditions within the basin. As the hydrologic consultant on the project, we are responsible for comprehensive characterization and monitoring of hydrogeologic conditions at the research facility. We worked closely with our client during project planning to ensure the data needed to support site characterization were obtained during the exploration phase of the project. These initial data were used to develop a hydrogeologic conceptual model for the site which is continually being refined on the basis of data generated from ongoing hydrologic monitoring at facility.
The initial hydrogeologic conceptual model was developed by examining core obtained from onsite test holes, monitoring general water chemistry parameters when possible during drilling, using pressure transducers to monitor groundwater yield within select zones during drilling, and examining a comprehensive array of electronic and video logs from onsite exploration holes. These data coupled with our knowledge of regional geologic and hydrogeologic conditions were used to delineate the local stratigraphy of geologic formations and units present at the site and the local hydrostratigraphy consisting of the various water-bearing units present at the site. The delineated hydrostratigraphic units were used to design groundwater monitoring wells for the facility. The wells were designed to provide monitoring of hydrologic conditions (water levels and water chemistry) of the hydrostratigraphic units immediately above and below the intended oil shale testing interval.
Western Water & Land continually refines the hydrogeologic conceptual model as additional hydrologic data are collected and interpreted for the facility. Additional data have included test results from a long-term, constant-rate aquifer test, continuous water level records from pressure transducers installed in onsite wells, wellhead pressures measured in onsite test and monitoring wells, and analytical results for groundwater and produced gas samples collected from the onsite groundwater monitoring wells. Western Water & Land also developed and maintains the database constructed to store all site hydrologic data and is responsible for the analysis and interpretation of all hydrologic data collected at the site.
Rio Blanco County, Colorado
Western Water & Land provides ongoing hydrologic services to one of the leading oil shale research organizations conducting research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) operations in the Piceance Creek Basin in northwestern Colorado. Our firm was selected for the project based on our hydrologic expertise, our reputation with the state (Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety) and federal (U.S. Bureau of Land Management) agencies overseeing operations, and our extensive knowledge of geologic and hydrologic conditions within the basin. As the hydrologic consultant on the project, we are responsible for comprehensive characterization and monitoring of hydrogeologic conditions at the research facility. We worked closely with our client during project planning to ensure the data needed to support site characterization were obtained during the exploration phase of the project. These initial data were used to develop a hydrogeologic conceptual model for the site which is continually being refined on the basis of data generated from ongoing hydrologic monitoring at facility.
The initial hydrogeologic conceptual model was developed by examining core obtained from onsite test holes, monitoring general water chemistry parameters when possible during drilling, using pressure transducers to monitor groundwater yield within select zones during drilling, and examining a comprehensive array of electronic and video logs from onsite exploration holes. These data coupled with our knowledge of regional geologic and hydrogeologic conditions were used to delineate the local stratigraphy of geologic formations and units present at the site and the local hydrostratigraphy consisting of the various water-bearing units present at the site. The delineated hydrostratigraphic units were used to design groundwater monitoring wells for the facility. The wells were designed to provide monitoring of hydrologic conditions (water levels and water chemistry) of the hydrostratigraphic units immediately above and below the intended oil shale testing interval.
Western Water & Land continually refines the hydrogeologic conceptual model as additional hydrologic data are collected and interpreted for the facility. Additional data have included test results from a long-term, constant-rate aquifer test, continuous water level records from pressure transducers installed in onsite wells, wellhead pressures measured in onsite test and monitoring wells, and analytical results for groundwater and produced gas samples collected from the onsite groundwater monitoring wells. Western Water & Land also developed and maintains the database constructed to store all site hydrologic data and is responsible for the analysis and interpretation of all hydrologic data collected at the site.