Publications

Reardon, Alexander J.; Lofton, Owen W.; Johnson, Patricia B.; Lowry, Thomas S.

There are an estimated 48,745 wells producing oil or gas in New Mexico as of August 8, 2020 and with advances in drilling and oil recovery technology the use of hydraulic fracturing has become more commonplace. With a typical well requiring 1.5 to 16 million gallons of water, there is an increased demand for water in the Permian Basin and concern over the regions ability to meet this demand. This report is an addendum to the 2018 report Water Resource Assessment in the New Mexico Permian Basin (SAND2018-12018) to monitor baseline water level and chemistry data established in the original report. Results from this addendum can be used to further understand regional water supply and demands and aid in the BLMs mission of sustainably meeting the needs of water users while protecting human and environmental health.

Lowry, Thomas S.; Thomas, Whitney T.; Lofton, Owen W.; Johnson, Patricia B.; Herrell, David H.

Abstract not provided.

Lowry, Thomas S.; Thomas, Whitney T.; Herrell, Dave H.; Lofton, Owen W.; Johnson, Patricia B.; Bowman, Dale O.

Abstract not provided.

Lowry, Thomas S.; Schuhen, Michael D.; Lofton, Owen W.; Jenkins, La T.; Johnson, Patricia B.; Powers, Dennis W.; Bowman, Dale O.

Advancements in directional drilling and well completion technologies have resulted in an exponential growth in the use of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas extraction. Within the New Mexico Permian Basin, water demand to complete each hydraulically fractured well is estimated to average 7.3 acre-feet (2.4 million gallons), resulting in an increase to the regional water demand of over 5000 acre-feet per year. This rising demand is creating concern for the regions ability to meet the demand in a manner that fulfills BLM's role of protecting human health and the environment while sustainably meeting the needs of various of water users in the region. This report documents a study that establishes a water-level and chemistry baseline and develops a modeling tool to aid the BLM in understanding the regional water supply dynamics under different management, policy, and growth scenarios and to pre-emptively identify risks to water sustainability.

Lowry, Thomas S.; Schuhen, Michael D.; Lofton, Owen W.; Jenkins, La T.; Johnson, Patricia B.; Land, Lewis L.

Abstract not provided.