Injection Wells

[Greenra]

Doing a survey regarding injection wells used to dispose of fluids associated with oil & gas production--- basically saltwater disposal wells. Looking for a per barrel fee paid to land owners somewhat similar to a royalty rate. Primary focus is New Mexico and the Southwest, but I would appreciate info from anywhere USA including further leads to find this type of info. Thanks for your help.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

10¢ a bbl. (42 gallons) pretty typical around here but depth and pressure make a difference. And that is just the royalty owner's part. The total cost is from $1 to maybe $4 or more. An injection well in a waterflood doesn't pay anything.

http://www.mineralrightsforum.com/forum

http://shalegasreporter.com/shale-FAQ

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/mill...tes-injected-below-akron-canton-area-1.238216

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2013/11/26/can-frack-water-trespass-the-texas.html

There is a lot of issues around these wells. But for clarity. The formations beneath us are generally not fresh water below a few hundred feet. As it gets deeper, water becomes salty. It is when we separate that salty water from gas and oil that we have to get rid of the salt water. It is generally the case that it simply is re-injected into the same formations or formations with similar salt content. If you inject very salty water into less salty formations, it will tend to have a chemical reaction that will deposit salt on the formation pores and render the well unusable. Some formations have extremely thick brines, like S. Arkansas. If you mess with it much, then the salt precipitates. Very difficult to work with.

You disposal wells can generally be located on the state oil and gas commission website. That is the Railroad Commission in Texas and the Corporation Commission in Oklahoma.

 

[Greenra]

Thanks Terrel, very good info. Any contacts in New Mexico or West Texas?

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

There used to be a petroleum landman-type also licensed appraiser in Roswell. I want to say his name was Shellenberger or something close to that. You might try to give him a call if you can match up his name to the roster in NM.