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NSW IRRIGATORS’ COUNCIL. Finding a Way for Agriculture and CSG to Co-Exist: Colorado, USA. Introduction. NSW Irrigators Council represents around 12,000 irrigation license holders across New South Wales. We represent: Membership Groups; and Water Access License Holders. Why Colorado?. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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NSW IRRIGATORS’ COUNCIL
Finding a Way for Agriculture and CSG to Co-Exist:
Colorado, USA
Introduction
NSW Irrigators Council represents around 12,000 irrigation license holders
across New South Wales.We represent:
Membership Groups; and Water Access License Holders
Why Colorado?
An increasingly polarised debate in Australia.
Relatively few global instances of co-location.
An organisation (NSWIC) that recognises this industry is coming.
A need for better information
What to Achieve?
We want to understand alternatives to our current regulatory regime and to understand various parties views
on those alternatives.
Importantly, we're not seeking to judge alternative approaches nor necessarily to adopt them. We're looking for opportunities to uncover alternative strategies and -
ideally - methodologies to enhance harmonious development of irrigation and gas industries.
NSWICCotton Australia – Sahil Prasad
Namoi Water – Jon-Maree BakerAPPEA – Siobhan Barry
Santos – Andrew Abbey and Deena McMullen
A Tour Group
Dick Wolfe, State Engineer and Director of Division of Water Resources
(Vance case brought his role to forefront of gas regulation)
Key message – BASELINE DATA.
Denver, CO
Pioneer Resources
Outsourced water management (Norwest)
Make all data public - www.purgatoirewatershed.org
Long history in CO (18 years in Raton Field – 2250 wells)
Key message – Transparency.
Denver, CO
Prof. Troy Bauder – Soil and Crop Sciences at CSU
Large body of work on produced water.
Sodium Adsorbtion Ratio is a key – concentration in soils.
Admittedly looked at both best and worst case scenarios.
Key message – don’t get it wrong in the first place.
Fort Collins, CO
The Commissioners of Weld County
Over 100k acres irrigation – overlying conventional gas. A largely dry field, but low quality produced water and
competition for production water.
Most of them were happy – due to a financial stake, either direct or to Country resources.
Key message – give the locals an interest.
Weld County, CO
A Tale of Two Counties
Weld is used to agricultural industry and processing.
Larimer is largely residential.
Weld is accepting gas more readily than Larimer...
Key message – engage farmers on practical issues.
Weld v Larimer, CO
Previously large scale coal mining and processing.
Coal seams still visible on the surface.
Large scale CBM development over nearly 20 years.
Irrigation is small (8,000 feet) but area is watershed.
Significant produced water of varying quality.
Southern CO
Norwest Corporation – for Pioneer Resources.
“Don’t irrigate with produced water” – site discharge points for dilution before offtake.
Dropping around 11 megs per day into surface discharge – but mainly dry arroyos.
Key message – BASELINE DATA.
Trinidad CO
Inspecting the Wells.
Surface storage of produced water.
Deep aquifer reinjection (6,000 feet) – set up but not used.
Water quality testing downstream...
Key message – Produced Water Management.
Raton Basin CO
The short term problems are relative
Acceptance is comparatively simpler with farmers given simple practicality.
Financial benefits in CO are assisting acceptance – and providing insurance.
Findings
The long terms risks are significant
If you get the water management wrong, the impacts can be catastrophic.
It’s a low likelihood – high impact scenario.
Findings
Some Problems can be Managed
We must have comprehensive baseline data.
We must deal more effectively with produced water.
Findings
Is Coexistence Possible?
We didn’t find the comprehensive solution to coexistence.
We did find two preconditions without which coexistence cannot occur.
Conclusion
Read all about it...
Available as an e-book
via Amazon
Q and A
Questions and Discussion
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