The use of hydraulic "fracking" has provided a huge boost to the Texas economy (to find out how much, see page 17 of Texas Water Report: Going Deeper for the Solution (PDF). The process has added to state water demands, however.
Hydraulic Fracturing without Water
Some shale energy producers have developed low-water and water-free hydraulic fracturing techniques that could greatly reduce the industry’s need for water.
- One common way to limit water use is by introducing additives to thicken water, such as guar gum, a natural substance commonly used in food products. One natural gas producer who recently began using guar has reported a 45 percent reduction in water use at each of its wells.
- Other energy producers are developing hydraulic fracturing techniques using brackish groundwater instead of fresh water. Texas is underlain by vast reserves of brackish groundwater. Brackish water poses addtional challenges, however, including impurities that can interfere with drilling.
- Other emerging techniques rely on liquid propane or other gases instead of on-site water. After it is used, the propane returns to its gaseous state and can be collected and reused. In addition to water savings, gas fracturing reportedly produces less damage to rock formations that can impede production. One company has done about 100 “fracks” with propane in Texas.
- Some companies are beginning to recycle fracking water, which lowers the total amount of water used and reduces the need to dispose of wastewater after use. The technique is relatively expensive, however, since the water must be treated before each reuse.
Using Natural Gas to Produce Energy Saves Water
The process of hydraulic fracturing, otherwise known as fracking, uses water.
Bridget Scanlon, senior research scientist for the Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas at Austin, explains that using natural gas to supply energy can save tremendous amounts of water compared to other fuel sources.