Transport of Hydraulic Fracturing Water and Wastes in the Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 140, Issue 5
Abstract
The development of the Marcellus Shale gas play in Pennsylvania and the northeastern United States has resulted in significant amounts of water and wastes transported by truck over roadways. This study used geographic information systems (GIS) to quantify truck travel distances via both the preferred routes (minimum distance while also favoring higher-order roads) as well as, where available, the likely actual distances for freshwater and waste transport between pertinent locations (e.g., gas wells, treatment facilities, freshwater sources). Results show that truck travel distances in the Susquehanna River Basin are greater than those used in prior life-cycle assessments of tight shale gas. When compared to likely actual transport distances, if policies were instituted to constrain truck travel to the closest destination and higher-order roads, transport mileage reductions of 40–80% could be realized. Using reasonable assumptions of current practices, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with water and waste hauling were calculated to be 70–157 MT per gas well. Furthermore, empty so-called backhaul trips, such as to freshwater withdrawal sites or returning from deep well injection sites, were found to increase emissions by an additional 30%, underscoring the importance of including return trips in the analysis. The results should inform future life-cycle assessments of tight shale gases in managed watersheds and help local and regional governments plan for impacts of transportation on local infrastructure.
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Acknowledgments
This work was funded in part by the Katherine Mabis McKenna Environmental Internship and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, both at Bucknell University. R. Hupp is currently a graduate student in the Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; 200 Patton Hall, Blacksburg, VA, 24061.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 140 • Issue 5 • May 2014
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 30, 2012
Accepted: Nov 15, 2013
Published online: Dec 30, 2013
Published in print: May 1, 2014
Discussion open until: May 30, 2014
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