This Feasibility Study will investigate possible beneficial uses of produced water associated with coal bed methane development in various basins of the Western U.S. The analyses of beneficial uses will include technical feasibility, and preliminary or conceptual engineering for options considered highly feasible.

Coal bed methane production requires the removal of groundwater from the coal beds to release adsorbed methane. The produced water is considered a byproduct or waste product of coal bed methane production. In the San Juan Basin of Colorado the produced water is gathered and injected into deep Jurassic sandstone formations or sent to evaporation ponds. In the Powder River Basin, produced water is discharged at the ground surface along existing drainages, sent to various types of impoundments, used for stock water and irrigation, used for industrial uses (e.g., at coal mines), used for dust control, discharged via pipelines to watersheds such as the Powder or Tongue Rivers, and to some extent used for domestic purposes.

Task 1 - Identification of Alternatives
Alternatives for beneficial uses of the water will be identified. This phase will include those alternatives already in use on a local scale (i.e., surface water discharge, irrigation, etc.). It will also include water treatment, constructed wetlands for treatment, seepage ponds (recharge basins), aquifer recharge through shallow injection wells (including Aquifer Storage/Recovery wells, Aquifer Recharge wells, and other types of Class V injection wells), irrigation, livestock watering, wildlife watering, and other alternatives yet to be identified.

Task 2 - Data Compilation and Literature Review
There currently exists a large body of produced water data for the San Juan Basin and Powder River Basin relative to CBM development. These data consist of produced water rates at individual wells, gathering systems, water chemistry at each well, water temperature, etc. Additionally, A review of published literature and available technical reports would be conducted.

Task 3 - Technical Feasibility
Technical literature, water and soil chemistry data, and other available information will be used as the basis for determining the technical feasibility of each alternative. Limitations and site specific data required for each alternative will be identified.

Task 4 - Report and Presentation
A draft report will be issued, including a detailed description of all tasks above.

Task 5 - Project Management
The Bureau of Land Management, the US Forest Service, and the Montana Board of Oil & Gas Conservation have committed personnel to be involved in this study. These persons will form a working group that will provide overall project direction.