Developments in Strategic Decision-Making for Water Management in Unconventional Gas Plays

Environmental issues in unconventional gas plays are dominated by the water supply chain, including supply, competition with other water uses, transportation, storage, reuse, recycling, treatment, and disposal. The limiting factor within the supply chain varies from play to play, so no single solution is the right one for every geographic location. Application of well-reasoned decision-making tools that assess and quantify the risk-benefit comparison between water management options throughout the water supply chain, results in more cost effective solutions for operators, that are at the same time compliant with regulations and minimize impact on the local community and environment. Simulated case studies will be used to demonstrate decision-making tools ranging from regulatory register risk evaluation to triple bottom line modelling to incorporate social and sustainability aspects of technology selection.