The Water‐Energy Nexus of Hydraulic Fracturing: A Global Hydrologic Analysis for Shale Oil and Gas Extraction

Abstract

Shale deposits are globally abundant and widespread. Extraction of shale oil and shale gas is generally performed through water‐intensive hydraulic fracturing. Despite recent work on its environmental impacts, it remains unclear where and to what extent shale resource extraction could compete with other water needs. Here we consider the global distribution of known shale deposits suitable for oil and gas extraction and develop a water balance model to quantify their impacts on local water availability for other human uses and ecosystem functions. We find that 31–44% of the world's shale deposits are located in areas where water stress would either emerge or be exacerbated as a result of shale oil or gas extraction; 20% of shale deposits are in areas affected by groundwater depletion and 30% in irrigated land. In these regions shale oil and shale gas production would likely compete for local water resources with agriculture, environmental flows, and other water needs. By adopting a hydrologic perspective that considers water availability and demand together, decision makers and local communities can better understand the water and food security implications of shale resource development.

The Global Food‐Energy‐Water Nexus

“…Water shortages have already caused the shutdown of coal‐fired power plants in India (IEA, ) and are affecting the choice of location and technology used for energy projects in China (IEA, ). In south Texas, shale oil and gas extraction using hydraulic fracturing has competed for water with agriculture through a water market, thereby increasing water prices in the region (Rosa et al, ). Years of drought in the State of California have reduced the hydropower share of total energy production from 30% to 5% (Garthwaite, ).…”

“…LCA scientists typically focus on a comprehensive accounting of all water costs associated with production and processing, regardless of where the water comes from. Therefore, there is the need for a more hydrologic‐based approach as an alternative to classic LCA calculations of the water footprint (Rosa et al, ).…”

“…An often overlooked aspect of the water crisis is the emergent competition for water resources between the food and energy industries, which is expected to dominate the water security debate in the next few decades (Rosa et al, , ; Scanlon et al, ). Until recently, most of the energy needs of industrial societies have been met with the use of conventional fossil fuels that require relatively low water costs for their extraction.…”

“…Until recently, most of the energy needs of industrial societies have been met with the use of conventional fossil fuels that require relatively low water costs for their extraction. In addition to renewable energy, such as hydropower, the near future will see an increasing reliance on unconventional fossil fuel deposits, such as oil sands, shale oil, and shale gas, which require greater amounts of water (Rosa et al, , ). These deposits account for most of the proven fossil fuels on Earth, and their extraction might be limited by water availability, especially in arid and semiarid regions where stronger competition is expected to emerge between water uses for food and energy (Rosa et al, ).…”

“…In addition to renewable energy, such as hydropower, the near future will see an increasing reliance on unconventional fossil fuel deposits, such as oil sands, shale oil, and shale gas, which require greater amounts of water (Rosa et al, , ). These deposits account for most of the proven fossil fuels on Earth, and their extraction might be limited by water availability, especially in arid and semiarid regions where stronger competition is expected to emerge between water uses for food and energy (Rosa et al, ). The growth in demand for renewable energy is also likely to substantially increase dam development, which can have numerous social and environmental consequences in river basins; for example, Zarfl et al () recently estimated that about 3,700 large hydropower dams were planned or under construction globally.…”