Clearmont Level I
WESTON was selected by the WWDC in 2007 to conduct a Level I study to aid the Town of Clearmont in determining the potential for impact to their water supply wells as a result of nearby CBM development. The scope of work for the project included characterization of the historic and projected economic development of the coal seam produced methane within a six mile radius of Clearmont as well as conducting a geohydrologic study of the Wasatch and Fort Union aquifer systems to determine the lateral and vertical hydraulic continuity of the aquifers and whether they are connected to Clearmont’s wells. The scope also included an evaluation of the existing Clearmont wells and a determination of the existing and future impacts to the wells and development of an alternative action plan in the event that the wells are impacted as a result of CBM development.
WELL EVALUATION
WESTON conducted a thorough evaluation of the two Clearmont water supply wells during the spring and summer of 2008. Both wells were videologged and pump tested and samples were collected for submittal to a laboratory for water quality analysis. A list of recommendations including periodic water level measurements and meter readings was provided to the Town of Clearmont in order to insure that sufficient baseline data is available for the future. In addition, because the Clearmont wells are nearing the end of their life expectancy, WESTON recommended that the Town apply to WWDC for Level II funding and establish a sinking fund to pay for replacing one or both wells.
CBM IMPACT EVALUATION
As part of the data gathering phase of this project, WESTON developed a comprehensive GIS database of the Powder Basin area surrounding Clearmont. The database included locations and pertinent data for all wells permitted with the Wyoming State Engineers Office (SEO) as well as all CBM wells permitted under the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. The data included permit status, production rates and totals, permit dates, current status of the wells, etc. The database was utilized to evaluate the future sustainability of the Clearmont wells under three CBM development scenarios. The evaluation lead to the conclusion that although CBM development has expanded into the Clear Creek drainage in the vicinity of Clearmont, all of the wells completed for CBM production in the study area have produced only water to date. Based on recent permit limitations set by the SEO that mandate cancellation of CBM permits that produce excessive quantities of water with little or no gas production, it is unlikely that CBM production in the Clearmont area will continue. However, WESTON recommended that the Town continue to monitor CBM production in the area as a precaution against unforeseen development that might impact the Clearmont wells.