Risk assessment in water production and management
Introduction
Different techniques of risk assessment are applied to onshore gas and oil production and help in determining threats to water quality and quantity. Technologies used in advanced hydraulic fracturing on water production management is essential to ensure that there is easy access to schools, workplaces, and homes (Aqlan, Faisal & Lam 2015). As a result, there is human exposure potential that includes health risks and pollutants. Therefore, the release of chemicals occurs throughout the water life cycle, and a well-site continuing and preparation is vital through hydraulic fracturing that ensures better production, maintenance, as well as abandoning and plugging (Funari & Enzo, 2017). Risks to workers in unconventional gas and oil companies from those working, recreating, or living nearby. Moreover, hazardous materials and chemicals, as well as spills released, leads to accidents and injuries.
Risk assessment methods for onshore gas and oil production
Technological advances have allowed directional drilling that is accompanied by hydraulic fracturing of high-volume. As a result, large deposits are made on unconventional gas and oil and facilitates the production of natural gas as well as water in the society. The growth of output has risen to ensure that infrastructure is closer to communities and towns (Aqlan, Faisal & Lam 2015). Therefore, the establishment of risks and concerns is crucial to ensure public health safety from non-chemicals and chemical stressors associated with unconventional oil and gas production. Processes shared in unconventional production differ in essential aspects that are noticed through horizontal, large volume, and directional hydraulic fracturing. As a result, there is stimulation on the flow of natural oil and gases to the wellhead. Additionally, a significant difference in production methods is established to pose to-date and additional regulated health risks.
What-if analysis Method
What-if analysis method ensures that there is an identification of hazards and threats through questions about situations with a probability of going wrong and ensued consequences. As a result, a brainstorming analysis is carried out on activities in gas and oil production processes and operations exposed to events and conditions that are hazardous (Aqlan, Faisal & Lam 2015). Lack of information on hydraulic fracturing fluids contents during production leads to more significant uncertainties that increase risks and have health effects (Funari & Enzo, 2017). Hydraulic fractured wells have the potential to emit water and air pollutants posing public and physical safety hazards as well as psychosocial stressors to nearby communities and residents (Conway & Declan, 2015). Emission generated in each cycle phase, such as chemical wastes and effluents, leads to insecurities on worker’s health. What-if analysis method, therefore, ensures that questions asked on exposure pathways such as water or air and population groups exposed. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Failure mode and effect analysis technique
Failure mode and effect analysis method is used in the identification of potential failures that helps in figuring out the effects on the community (Funari & Enzo, 2017). Additionally, the process starts with a selection of the system for analysis, and elements within the selected methods are looked into separately to identify potential risks. The stimulus that causes undesirable effects on an individual’s health is established, including their impacts, especially when there are non-chemical and hazardous stressors. Failure mode and effect analysis technique tries to predict possible outcomes to the gas and oil production process, especially when some elements fail. Therefore, sections are organized to ensure that there is a clear description of human health risks by determining spatial disc and pathways (Aqlan, Faisal & Lam 2015). Thus, occupational dangers for unconventional gas and oil production workers, such as exposure to site air pollution, malfunctions, and accident, are efficiently and effectively-identified (Schijven & Jack, 2015). Failure mode and effect analysis technique predict hardware failures that expose workers working individuals to toxic and hazardous materials through dermal contact, inhalation, and ingestion.
Operability and hazard study technique
The operability and hazard study method is used in unconventional gas and oil as well as technologies in hydraulic fracturing to identify potential hazards and threats (Conway & Declan, 2015). Thorough analysis conducted through a robust leadership model ensures that risks through thermal radiation caused by explosions and fires are identified (Funari & Enzo, 2017). Although the operability and hazard study technique is time consuming, costly, and requires skills and knowledge, a comprehensive method of classifying risks is provided (Schijven & Jack, 2015). Therefore, there is the management of the release of chemicals that occurs throughout the water life cycle. Also, a well-site continuing and preparation is essential through hydraulic fracturing that ensures better production, maintenance, and plugging (Aqlan, Faisal & Lam 2015). As a result, air pollutions due to malfunction and accidents are reduced, and side effects of activities on the well-sites established (Schijven & Jack, 2015).
Fault Tree analysis technique
Fault Tree analysis technique is used in unconventional gas and oil as well as technologies in hydraulic fracturing to identify situations that can lead to hazardous events (Conway & Declan, 2015). As a result, well blowouts failures in the production processes and explosions are determined in advance to ensure that there is a sustained interaction among the incorporated stages. Also, casing pressure in the production process is monitored in the industrial site where moving and heavy equipment is used (Aqlan, Faisal & Lam 2015). Therefore, the Fault Tree analysis technique ensures that toxic and hazardous substances are not directed to the nearby community to cause harsh environmental conditions (Funari & Enzo, 2017). Causes of injuries and deaths of workers are documented in the oil and gas production sites to determine their causes and prevent future happenings.
Occupational risks to unconventional gas and oil production worker are common due to materials used such as additives and chemicals, water, and propane (Conway & Declan, 2015). Also, equipment such as compressors and pipes increases the chances of injuries. The establishment of risks and concerns is crucial to ensure public health safety from non-chemicals and chemical stressors associated with unconventional oil and gas production (Aqlan, Faisal & Lam 2015). Waste products produced and flow back water used drilling cuttings, and mud needs transportation from the site (Schijven & Jack, 2015). Although most fatalities and accidents occur among gas and oil workers, the nearby community is also affected by the impacts. Therefore, the Fault Tree analysis technique prevents toxic and hazardous substances from being directed to the nearby society to avoid harsh environmental conditions.
Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on water quantity and quantity
Concerns related to hydraulic fracturing on the water quantity and quality have arisen, which has led to critical emerging energy and environmental issues. As a result, literature reviews have been conducted to increase knowledge and focus on reservoirs and increase water production (Conway & Declan, 2015). The production of natural gases and crude oil from unconventional reservoirs has increased, and advanced technologies have enhanced the exploitation of the resources (Aqlan, Faisal & Lam 2015). Therefore, directional drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and seismic imaging are done efficiently, reducing risks to workers.
Moreover, air pollution risks are established, and intervention made on flaring and venting hydrocarbons and gaseous products. Therefore, hydraulic fracturing technologies have an impact on water resources, especially flacked wells (Aqlan, Faisal & Lam 2015). As a result, more water per unit energy is required to ensure production in conventional wells, and more chemicals are used (Schijven & Jack, 2015). Additionally, the addition of water and pressure in the underground is also damaging to the environment.
In the description of fracking impacts on quantity and quality of water methods of withdrawal and consumption are determined. Therefore, the disposal of wastewater mechanism is integrated into unconventional gas and oil wells. Also, deep underground injections are done on produced and flow back water to enhance domination. Water withdraws High fraction for unconventional oil and gas production ensures representation of consumptive water use (Aqlan, Faisal & Lam 2015). The hydraulic fracturing process comprises of 87% indirect and direct water consumption and provides management and maintenance. A well to flush salts is produced that maintains wellbore integrity and competes with other fracking systems in the production of freshwater (Funari & Enzo, 2017). Although these unconventional gas and oil well are associated with intensive activities, water produced is used in municipalities, agricultural irrigation as well as the production of shale gas.
The intensity of water on gas and oil production defined as freshwater water volume consumed per unity energy is used to fuel production. Although risks vary, a well-formulated plan on production, drilling, and pad development reduces deaths and injuries to the workers. Additionally, potentially significant impacts are identified to ensure effective withdrawals that are efficient during low-flow periods (Schijven & Jack, 2015). Water quality potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing provide processes such as waste disposal. For instance, avenues used by tight oil shale gas development affects the quality of water in streams and rivers (Conway & Declan, 2015). Therefore, fracking fluid accidental release, flow back and produced water to ensure that there are proper disposal, treatment, and liquid waste disposal. As a result, more impacts are generated through land clearing for new infrastructure and well pads.
Constraints in risk assessment performance
Obstacles arise during risk assessment processes that hinder threats identification and include gaps in databases, measurement, and failure of communication with top management (Schijven & Jack, 2015). For instance, failure to integrate appropriate threat metrics leads to losses in unconventional gas and oil as well as technologies in hydraulic fracturing (Aqlan, Faisal & Lam 2015). As a result, implemented projects are not sufficient, and the portfolio created has significant impacts on the quality and quantity of water produced. Moreover, mismeasurement of known threats and risks by unconventional gas managers while assessing probabilities and loss sizes affects developed wells (Conway & Declan, 2015). Wrong distribution and poor estimates lead to a lack of correlation among different hydraulic fracturing companies.
Also, the failure of taking into account known risks increases the cost and leads to pollution through the flow backs of volatile organic compounds and produced water (Funari & Enzo, 2017). Lack of communication among the working staff facilitates the development of poor risk management strategies in unconventional gas and oil wells (Schijven & Jack, 2015). Failure to managing and monitoring threats leads to insecure environments where workers suffer from toxic and hazardous exposure. For instance, volatile organic compounds benzene and hydrogen supplied expose an individual to acute toxic risks that affect the central nervous system and irritates.
Water production management associated risks
Risks associated with water production includes a secure source in water supplies, induced seismicity, water management (Conway & Declan, 2015).
Equipment such as compressors and pipes increases that have chances of increasing injuries are established to ensure the security of workers (Aqlan, Faisal & Lam 2015). Therefore, information on hydraulic fracturing fluids contents during production is provided to reduce uncertainties that increase risks and have health effects. Waste products produced and flow back water used drilling cuttings, and mud needs transportation from the site are directed to secure locations that reduce pollution in the environment.
Mitigation strategies
Mitigation strategies for risk water production and management include threat contracting and transfer. For instance, managers in onshore gas and oil production wells allocate identified risks to parties that possess management skills (Schijven & Jack, 2015). As a result, there is a quantitative risk assessment that ensures participation by all members (Aqlan, Faisal & Lam 2015). Besides, contractors agree to take threats for a given reward to help reducing uncertainties and to quantify risks.
Additionally, risk buffering strategies are employed to reserve reserves and absorb the impacts of hazards without jeopardizing onshore gas and oil production projects (Schijven & Jack, 2015). Additional time is allocated as well as human resources and machines to ensure the utilization of resources and achievement of project objectives (Conway & Declan, 2015). Risk avoidance strategies ensure the elimination of threats and encourage assessment on situations that can lead to control and danger mitigation (Conway & Declan, 2015). As a result, there is an installation of data gathering methods that provide early warnings on system failure. Provided information assess impacts and their likelihood as well as timing threats to take action in advance.
Direction for future research
The supply of freshwater in society requires further investigation to enhance adequacy and meeting of demands through temporally and spatial distribution. As a result, both environmental needs and economic needs are met as well as improvements in sanitation. Additionally, further research is crucial to ensure a well to flush salts that maintain wellbore integrity and produce fresh water. Also, studies on unconventional gas and oil sites are required to reduce air and water pollution as well as reducing injuries on the working staff.