Coalbed Methane Natural Gas: Energy and Environment.

Energy and the environment are an integral part of human society. The need for exploring different energy resources (e.g., coalbed natural gas, coal, oil, and uranium) while protecting the environment has become obvious in recent years. Coalbed natural gas (CBNG) exploration and development are expanding worldwide, due to increased demand for a clean and economical source of energy. Rocky Mountain States including Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Utah are further utilizing their coal resources by extracting CBNG to supplement the US energy demands.  During the initial CBNG production large volumes of aquifer water is removed, called CBNG produced water. The CBNG produced water is stored in ponds, discharged into streams, and re-injected into the ground. The objective of this presentation is to summarize a 10- year CBNG produced water monitoring studies in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming.  This presentation will also cover CBNG produced water quantity, quality, ecological issues, and management solutions.