Overarching questions addressed in this webinar include:

• What is produced water and how is it commonly disposed?
• What environmental concerns does produced water pose?
• What factors are influencing the demand for alternate applications of produced water?
• What alternate uses for produced waters exist? What challenges do these alternatives face?

Our speakers include:

• Kyle E. Murray, Ph.D., Oklahoma Geological Survey & University of Oklahoma | Slides  Video
• Jeri Sullivan Graham, Los Alamos National Laboratory | Slides  Video
• Holly Pearen, Environmental Defense Fund | Slides  Video

Webinar Co-Sponsors:
Association of American State Geologists, American Association of Petroleum Geologists

CEU Credits

To earn CEU credits, please complete the associated on-demand GOLI course that was developed from this webinar with a grade of 70% or higher and then submit your application for CEUs. CEUs are awarded from the American Institute of Professional Geologists. To view the full list of on-demand GOLI courses, please browse the GOLI course catalog.

Resources to learn more:

•  View this webinar's Question & Answer session
• Water Resources Research from the Oklahoma Geological Survey
• U.S. EPA's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources (www.epa.gov/hfstudy)
• National Research Council, 2010, Management and Effects of Coalbed Methane Produced Water in the Western United States
• National Academies, 2017, Flowback and Produced Waters: Opportunities and Challenges for Innovation - Proceedings of a Workshop
• U.S. Geological Survey, National Produced Waters Geochemical Database
• National Energy Technology Laboratory, Produced Water Management Technology Descriptions

Search the Geological Surveys Database for reports and factsheets about produced water.

The development of unconventional natural gas resources in the last decade has reshaped the energy mix in the U.S. Decisions that are being made now – often in sectors that may not have an obvious connection to gas production – will determine the energy mix over the coming decades. The 2014 Critical Issues Forum, entitled America’s Increasing Reliance on Natural Gas: Benefits and Risks of a Methane Economy, reflected the strong interest and concerns associated with the development of natural gas resources. The two-day event was held at the Forth Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 19-20, 2014.

The Forum examined the 5- to 30-year outlook for the development of a natural gas-dominant energy sector in North America and discussed the associated benefits and risks. Presentations highlighted our current understanding of the interrelated geological, environmental, and economic aspects of natural gas development and stimulated discussion on two overarching questions:

• Is a natural gas-dominant economy achievable in North America?
• Would a natural gas-dominant economy be desirable?

Forum Sponsorship support was provided by the Geological Society of America, the Society for Sedimentary Geology, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and The Geological Society

For more information about the Forum, please visit the 2014 Critical Issues Forum home page.