Water Well Testing for Coalbed Methane (CBM) Projects
 Oil companies are required by regulation to conduct well tests for public relations purposes and insurance for both the oil company and the landowner. Based on Waterline’s experience, groundwater wells are completed in environments that may be corrosive to well casings, screens, pumps and piping. Naturally elevated iron and sulphate in groundwater is common to certain shallow aquifers and can affect the performance of supply wells. Proper well maintenance is always recommended to a landowner when signs of well degradation are noted. In the even a landowner complains that water wells have been damaged as a result of coal bed methane development activities, pre and post testing data may help to assess the cause and effect relationship and assign responsibility.
Groundwater well testing for CBM developments typically include:
- Measuring the non-pumping water level of the well;
- An aquifer test to assess the groundwater quantity;
- Collecting groundwater samples to assess the groundwater quality;
- Condition of the water well;
- Site conditions;
- The water well construction;
- Calculating water gas ratio;
- Collecting gas samples in tedlar bag;
- Routine gas analysis (C1-C7, H2S, CO2, N2); and
- Selecting gas samples for carbon isotope analysis.
Waterline is a proponent of public education and makes every effort to have knowledgeable field staff that understand the issues relating to water well operation and failures.
Waterline Resources Inc. | Groundwater Resource and Environmental Consultants | Calgary, AB, Victoria, B.C., Nanaimo, B.C.
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