The SWRC is a Houston-based research company that works to measure, describe and model full-cycle water and chemical additives used in shale oil and gas production. SWRC’s primary goal is to systematically research water chemistry with the aim of increasing water reuse, reducing water cost and increasing production.

Our Work

Water is the driving force behind hydraulic fracturing and has broad reaching implications throughout the shale and gas production industry. With each well there is an associated water cost of up to $1.6 million, more than 25% of the total cost of the well. SWRC researches water treatment methods and chemical additive compatibility in hydraulic fracturing to find opportunities to:

• Reduce water acquisition, additive, treatment and disposal costs
• Increase amount of recycle produced water, while reducing overall water costs
• Lower the environmental footprint

2012 Highlights

SWRC has sampled in numerous basins and is continuing to sample each of the major North American shale oil and gas plays in which our members have operations.

SWRC has collected over 150 unique water samples and will continue sampling dozens of wells in numerous additional basins.

 

Field Sampling & Testing Procedures

Consistency is key when it comes to field sampling and testing procedures. SWRC field sampling and testing procedures are designed to enable the most accurate water analyses available and coordinates with our member companies to perform sampling of makeup, injection and produced waters in the field.

All sampling and testing procedures are in line and made to conform with the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) program, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards.