T137 Geology, Hydrogeology, and Hydrochemistry of Non-Traditional Basin Resources

Tuesday, 12 October 2021
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
D139/D140

CHARACTERIZING ORGANIC COMPOUND CLASSES AND TRENDS WITHIN PRODUCED WATER FROM BLACK WARRIOR BASIN, ALABAMA, USA

Paper number: T137-6
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:10 AM – 9:25 AM

Authors

  • Peter Loree Presenting Author
    Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
  • Tracy Quan
    Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK

Abstract

Water can make up a significant portion of the output generated by petroleum wells, in some cases as high as 7 times the petroleum output per well. This produced water (PW) typically is more saline than ocean water and has a highly heterogeneous composition of organic and inorganic compounds. Additionally, this composition can vary on a per-well basis. This can limit characterization if some sort of processing is not performed prior to analysis. For our project, we utilize nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques to acquire interpretable data from whole-water analysis of PW. NMR analysis is a well-documented technique capable of non-destructive description of various compounds. We used a water-suppression experiment designated PE-ES-WATERGATE to acquire a qualitative assessment of organic compound classes present in 18 samples collected from the Black Warrior Basin in Alabama. Results were then compared with previous studies to gain insight into possible trends related to the presence or absence of organic compounds. Results indicate approximately one third of samples show significant detectable organic compound signals, the majority of which are located between 0.0-4.0ppm. These are currently interpreted as likely belonging to alkane, allylic alkenes and other aliphatic compound classes. Smaller peaks observed between 7.5-8.5ppm are interpreted to be phenols, based on previous work characterizing the Black Warrior Basin. An unresolved complex mixture (UCM) is also present, most frequently between 1.0-2.5ppm. Previous reporting on the basin indicated significant freshwater input into the local groundwater from the east and southeast, which resulted in reduced salinity and total dissolved solids (TDS) of produced water in those areas. Our results indicate that organic compounds appear to be similarly affected, with a general decrease in discrete signals relative to the UCM.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 53, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2021AM-367371

© Copyright 2021 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.