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Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

The Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory is part of the USGS Oil and Gas Waters Project. It performs inorganic analysis of produced waters for geochemical fingerprinting and interpretation, environmental and human health impacts (e.g., disposal, reuse), and understanding potential mineral commodities. The BRInE lab is USGS Quality Management System compliant.

Enhance your Science - Work with the BRInE Laboratory

Produced Water Samples

The BRInE laboratory addresses the challenges of analyzing produced waters by adapting traditional methods of water analysis. If interested in working with the BRInE laboratory, please contact Andrew Masterson:

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USGS National Produced Waters Geochemical Database v3.0

Image shows a screenshot of the USGS National Produced Waters Geochemical Database viewer, with colored circles marking the locations of the produced waters samples, with a key on the righthand side

The U.S. Geological Survey National Produced Waters Geochemical Database v3.0 is an updated compilation of geochemical and related information for water from oil and gas wells in the United States.

View Database

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Publications

Lithium resource in the Smackover Formation brines of Southern Arkansas

Lithium-rich brine deposits occur throughout the United States, including in the Smackover Formation. The concentration of lithium in Smackover Formation brines was predicted across southern Arkansas by using a machine-learning model that incorporated lithium concentration data and geologic information. Between 5.1 and 19.0 million metric tons of lithium are calculated to be present in...
Authors
Katherine J. Knierim, Andrew L. Masterson, Philip A. Freeman, Bonnie McDevitt, Amanda H. Herzberg, Peng Li, Ciara Mills, Colin Doolan, Aaron M. Jubb, Scott M. Ausbrooks, Jessica Chenault
By
Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

Produced water geochemistry from hydraulically stimulated Niobrara Formation petroleum wells: Origin of salinity and temporal perspectives on treatment and reuse

Produced water (i.e., a mixture of returned injection fluids and geologic formation brines) represents the largest volumetric waste stream associated with petroleum production in the United States. As such, produced water has been the focus of intense study with emphasis on understanding the geologic origin of the fluids, environmental impacts of unintended or intentional release...
Authors
Aaron M. Jubb, Jenna Shelton, Bonnie McDevitt, Kaela K. Amundson, Amanda Sha Herzberg, Jessica Chenault, Andrew Laurence Masterson, Matthew S. Varonka, Glenn D. Jolly, Christina A. DeVera, Elliott P. Barnhart, Michael J. Wilkins, Madalyn Blondes
By
Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory

Dissolved organic matter within oil and gas associated wastewaters from U.S. unconventional petroleum plays: Comparisons and consequences for disposal and reuse

Wastewater generated during petroleum extraction (produced water) may contain high concentrations of dissolved organics due to their intimate association with organic-rich source rocks, expelled petroleum, and organic additives to fluids used for hydraulic fracturing of unconventional (e.g., shale) reservoirs. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) within produced water represents a challenge...
Authors
Bonnie McDevitt, Aaron M. Jubb, Matthew S. Varonka, Madalyn Blondes, Mark A. Engle, Tanya Gallegos, Jenna Shelton
By
Energy Resources Program, Mineral Resources Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory
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