Groundwater contamination risk assessment
This research assesses the likelihood of groundwater contamination from hydraulic fracturing and wellbore damage.
The study produces a risk estimate of groundwater contamination at a basin/sub-basin scale. This will help management plans and strategies to reduce the risk of surface and groundwater contamination and provide communities a better understanding of potential impacts to local water resources.
Reports and papers
Water contamination risk assessment on hydraulic fracturing in unconventional gas extra
The final report from this project provides information on the contamination risk profile at a geological basin scale, aimed at improving the understanding of water contamination risks due to hydraulic fracturing in coal seam gas extraction.
It identifies key factors that increase or reduce the likelihood of inadvertent development of contamination pathways from hydraulic fracturing and wellbore delamination which could allow naturally-occurring chemicals or hydraulic fracturing fluids to reach aquifers.
The hydraulic fracturing study provides information on theoretical maximum fracture lengths in the Surat Basin, which can help operators determine appropriate setback distances and best practice operations.
The wellbore delamination modelling shows the risk of contamination to overlying aquifers is low for the Sydney and Surat basins.
Resources
Risk assessment on groundwater contamination from hydraulic fracturing and delamination
The outcomes of the project were presented at a knowledge transfer session held in August 2018.
Project progress
This project is complete.
Project proposal
A detailed description of the project, budget and research milestones.
