A Comprehensive Analysis of Groundwater Quality in The Barnett Shale Region

TLDR

Unconventional oil and gas extraction via hydraulic fracturing has raised environmental concerns, yet most groundwater contamination studies focus mainly on dissolved gases rather than broader chemical contamination. The study analyzes 550 groundwater samples from wells above the Barnett shale to assess contamination. Samples were collected from 550 private and public supply wells tapping aquifers above the Barnett shale. The analysis revealed widespread VOCs—including alcohols, BTEX, and chlorinated compounds—though the data do not conclusively link them to UOG activities, underscoring the need for continued monitoring.

Abstract

The exploration of unconventional shale energy reserves and the extensive use of hydraulic fracturing during well stimulation have raised concerns about the potential effects of unconventional oil and gas extraction (UOG) on the environment. Most accounts of groundwater contamination have focused primarily on the compositional analysis of dissolved gases to address whether UOG activities have had deleterious effects on overlying aquifers. Here, we present an analysis of 550 groundwater samples collected from private and public supply water wells drawing from aquifers overlying the Barnett shale formation of Texas. We detected multiple volatile organic carbon compounds throughout the region, including various alcohols, the BTEX family of compounds, and several chlorinated compounds. These data do not necessarily identify UOG activities as the source of contamination; however, they do provide a strong impetus for further monitoring and analysis of groundwater quality in this region as many of the compounds we detected are known to be associated with UOG techniques.