DEG-EMD Luncheon
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
AAPG International Conference & Exhibition - Singapore
Water Well 'Problems' in Areas of Unconventional Resource Development: Appearances are Deceiving and Solutions are Many
by John V. Fontana, Guest Speaker
John V. Fontana is a professional geologist and licensed water well driller with over 25 years of experience in environmental investigation and remediation services, and resource exploration geochemistry. Fontana has pioneered and
successfully integrated unique sampling methods and tools that support the
various environmental business services provided by Vista GeoScience, including technologies designed for 1) specialized soil gas and ground water sampling and 2) in situ bio and chemical remediation.
He has supervised environmental characterizations and remediation projects
at major governmental and industrial sites across the U.S. as well as in other
countries.
Because of the growing concerns about water well-related issues in areas of
unconventional petroleum development, this talk is indeed timely. Although
hydrogeologists generally believe that some of the hysteria regarding water supplies and water quality are unwarranted, given the existence of naturally occurring ‘contamination’ and other documented water well problems, public outcries continue, especially where drilling and hydrofracturing is in or near
population centers.
Fontana will discuss some of the issues that are front and center in the
development of unconventional resources. He will also present some proven methods designed to assist resource developers in documenting pre-existing conditions so that complaints can be effectively addressed, as well as outline how operators can protect themselves from potential legal actions.
These best practices can be applied to all types of unconventional plays including shale (gas and oil), tight sands, coal bed methane, and in situ uranium mining.