Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2013TX462B

Increasing Water Security through Horizontal Wells

Institute: Texas
Year Established: 2013 Start Date: 2013-03-01 End Date: 2014-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $19,762 Total Non-Federal Funds: $44,431

Principal Investigators: Hongbin Zhan, Ben Blumenthal, Kristine Uhlman

Abstract: Access to reliable water supplies is of high priority given the likelihood of drought and growing population in regions such as Texas. Emerging technologies in water resources will provide means for improving water security. The first year of purposed research will investigate the use of horizontal wells to extend the applicability of subsurface storage (aquifer storage and recovery) in low transmissivity formations. A literature review will be completed to facilitate said goal along with modeling and a cost/benefit analysis. The second year of research will focus on horizontal wells to increase surface reservoir water supply capacity. A literature review will be completed in addition to modeling and cost/benefit analysis.