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Research needs identified for potential effects of energy development activities on environmental resources of the Williston Basin, United States

January 11, 2023

Unconventional oil and gas development that uses horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing is rapidly changing the landscape and exponentially increasing oil production within the Williston Basin, especially in North Dakota and eastern Montana. The activities associated with unconventional oil and gas development are complex and wide reaching and include, in part, road and well-pad construction, leaks from pits or tanks, chemical spills, discharge of wastewater, drilling before casing installation, leaks during or after hydraulic fracturing, failed casing seals, pipeline breaks, abandoned wells, deep-well disposal of flowback or produced wastewater, and induced subsurface migration pathways that can potentially adversely affect the environmental resources within the Williston Basin.

Publication Year 2023
Title Research needs identified for potential effects of energy development activities on environmental resources of the Williston Basin, United States
DOI 10.3133/fs20223088
Authors Gregory C. Delzer, Max Post van der Burg
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Fact Sheet
Series Number 2022-3088
Index ID fs20223088
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Dakota Water Science Center
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