Geophysical Surveys For Mapping Brine Contamination Resulting From Oil And Gas Production

With the production of oil and gas, brines with high concentration of dissolved solids (TDS) are<br>also brought to the surface. In processing plants, the hydrocarbon and water are separated. In<br>modern disposal practices, the brines are injected in deep formations. Occurrences of brine<br>contamination are mainly the result of disposal practices from the early days of production. The<br>lateral and vertical extent of brine contamination can often be inferred from measurements of the<br>geoelectric section. Frequency and time domain electromagnetic methods have proven good<br>tools for determining the geoelectric section, and three case histories will illustrate the use of<br>these methods. In two case histories, the brine contamination resulted from disposal in unlined<br>surface ponds. In one case history, an improperly abandoned well is likely cause of<br>contamination.