Abstract
Unconventional shale resources are important options in mitigating intensified energy challenges. Little is known regarding the national-scale water stress induced by the demand-and-supply contradiction during shale development. We here propose a new life-cycle-based model for estimating water intensities of single shale wells and use them as proxies to calculate the water stress facing China and the US. In China, most shale provinces have low water stress (< 1); Xinjiang has the highest one (∼10) so that either long-distance water diversion or groundwater extraction from deep aquifers would be required. The water stress facing the US is not as optimistic as China due to generally lower water availability; Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Colorado, and Pennsylvania have the highest water stress (between 10 and 25 under high intensity). We also find that policy combinations can effectively mitigate the water stress and suggest that deep cooperation be desired among those shale -rich countries.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 106823 |
Journal | Resources, Conservation and Recycling |
Volume | 190 |
Early online date | 15 Dec 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2023 |
Scopus Subject Areas
- Waste Management and Disposal
- Economics and Econometrics
User-Defined Keywords
- Energy cooperation
- Mitigation policies
- Shale
- Water consumption
- Water stress