Wyo. wants beneficial use of water discharge PDF Print E-mail
Wyoming State Engineer Patrick Tyrrell is asking coalbed methane producers to prove they are utilizing the groundwater resources in the Powder River Basin in a beneficial manner.

Tyrrell is requesting a "show cause" explanation from several coalbed methane producers about why some wells are only producing water and not methane gas.

The order comes after data showed the industry drills more wells and pumps more water than it needs to maintain hydrostatic pressure into coal aquifers. The water allows the gas to flow into production wells.

It is estimated that more than 39,000-acre feet of water have been produced from wells that have produced no natural gas.

The order targets 296 different operations in the Clear Creek and Crazy Woman Creek drainages of the Powder River Basin, where some wells have produced water for at least five years (Dustin Bleizeffer, Casper [Wyo.] Star-Tribune, Dec. 14).
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