Hydrologic Characterization: Oil Shale Research, Development, and Demonstration Project
Rio Blanco County, Colorado
Western Water & Land was the hydrologic consultant to a large oil and gas company for its former oil shale research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) project in northwestern Colorado. Our firm was responsible for complete characterization of the hydrostratigraphy at the research site. The work included preparation of hydrologic sections for the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety Notice of Intent permit, including conceptual design of groundwater monitoring wells and surface-water baseline sampling programs. Western Water & Land conducted design and planning work, and procurement of hydraulic testing equipment. We conducted straddle-packer testing in an onsite corehole to evaluate the hydraulic characteristics of the Parachute Creek Member of the Green River Formation to depths of nearly 2,000 feet below ground surface. The hydraulic test information along with the examination of core, driller’s logs, well water yield, and a comprehensive array of electronic and video logs were used to design and install a monitoring well network, specifically in strata below, within, and above the zone to be tested for the extraction of shale oil.
Rio Blanco County, Colorado
Western Water & Land was the hydrologic consultant to a large oil and gas company for its former oil shale research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) project in northwestern Colorado. Our firm was responsible for complete characterization of the hydrostratigraphy at the research site. The work included preparation of hydrologic sections for the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety Notice of Intent permit, including conceptual design of groundwater monitoring wells and surface-water baseline sampling programs. Western Water & Land conducted design and planning work, and procurement of hydraulic testing equipment. We conducted straddle-packer testing in an onsite corehole to evaluate the hydraulic characteristics of the Parachute Creek Member of the Green River Formation to depths of nearly 2,000 feet below ground surface. The hydraulic test information along with the examination of core, driller’s logs, well water yield, and a comprehensive array of electronic and video logs were used to design and install a monitoring well network, specifically in strata below, within, and above the zone to be tested for the extraction of shale oil.