Landfill Leachate as an Alternative Water Source for Alberta Oil and Gas Development

2. Department of Environmental Science, Mount Royal University, Calgary, Canada

Abstract: The Alberta oil and gas industry continually examine ways to reuse wastewater streams within the context of environmental regulations, human health protection, and system performance. The use of landfill leachate as an alternative source to freshwater in the formulation of water-based drilling fluid is examined. Drilling fluid parameters of interest were compared to class II and Class III leachate and freshwater matrices. The concurrent data was also evaluated with respect to Alberta’s regulatory criteria to assess for potential environment risk, cost-benefit analysis, and intrinsic limitations. Although landfill leachate quality and quantity vary spatially and temporally, its use may positively off-set drilling fluid chemical additives and freshwater volumes requirements. Effective adaptive and optimal designed management approaches could lead to sustainable landfill leachate use by industry if adequately supported by enlightening regulations and reduced administrative burden.