During drilling activities, one of the most important objectives for us is to protect groundwater. To isolate and protect freshwater zones throughout the life of the well, we design and construct new wells with multiple barriers of steel casing and cement. We closely monitor system pressures during drilling and completion activities. When drilling through freshwater zones, we use air or freshwater-based fluids to prevent water contamination. We hold fluids recovered from hydraulic fracturing in tanks or lined pits and manage them in accordance with government-approved methods to ensure safety and environmental protection.
At the end of a well’s productive life, we follow stringent site-closure requirements. These include setting cement plugs and/or mechanical barriers inside the well to isolate and protect freshwater sources.
Read more about how we conserve and protect freshwater resources during all stages of operations.
