Conceptualization of Fresh to Slightly Saline Water in the Deep Glen Rose Formation, Maverick Basin, Texas
Project Summary:
The Contractor will write a short report summarizing existing geologic information and well data relevant to the fresh to slightly saline water procuded from the deep Glen Rose Formation (>5,000 feet deep) of the Maverick Basin, Texas, as well as the uncertainties in producing this water source.
- TWDB Contract Manager:
- Evan Strickland, P.G., 512-463-6929
- Funding Recipient:
- INTERA inc.
- Project Manager:
- Cody Draper
- Project Start Date:
- September 2023
- Project Completion Date:
- August 31, 2024
- Total Project Cost:
- $49,698
- TWDB Share of Project Cost:
- $49,698
- Benefits:
- Stakeholders will have access to a report providing relevant background information on the production of fresh to slightly saline water in the deep Glen Rose Formation of the Maverick Basin. The report will include the following chapters: 1) Introduction describing the involvement of public and private entities, 2) Geologic Background summarizing relevant stratigraphic and structural information from literature, 3) Relevant Data that is available for understanding this resource, and 4) Challenges and Future Work discussing the unknown factors and risks in producing water from this source.
Project Details
Participants
Project Sponsors:
Texas Water Development Board
1700 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78711
Funding Recipient
INTERA Incorporated
9600 Great Hills Trail, Suite 300W
Austin, TX 78759
Project Status
Drafts of chapters 1, 2, and 3 (Introduction, Geologic Background, and Data) have been reviewed by TWDB staff and comments were returned to the Contractor. A webinar was hosted by the TWDB on May 8th, 2024.
Final Report
Due by December 31st, 2024
Webinar
In this presentation, Cody Draper, P.G., summarizes known information on the abundant fresh to slightly saline water in the deep Glen Rose Formation of the Maverick Basin, as part of the TWDB contracted study with INTERA.
Highlights: Fluid production is characterized upon well completion by an initial volume of oil with a significant portion of water that “waters out” over the span of one to five years to be almost entirely fresh to slightly saline water. Currently, many of these wells flow fresh to slightly saline water to the surface without a pump. Water production is focused along a shear zone in central Maverick County where the Glen Rose has increased porosity from dolomitization, likely from interaction with hydrothermal fluids. The possible extent of the Maverick Basin aquifer includes central and southern Maverick County, western Dimmit County, and southwestern Zavala County, with recharge likely occurring from the west in the Sierra del Burro Mountains in Mexico, as evidenced by isotopic data. In addition, Cody reviews suggested methods for performing aquifer tests using existing oil wells.