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    Volume 51 Issue 7
    Jul.  2026
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    Article Navigation >  Earth Science  > 2026  >  51(7): 2807-2820
    Wang Jiaying, Tian Wenguang, Zhang Daofeng, Wang Huaichang, Yan Yihong, Xue Yiqin, Wang Xinshui, 2026. Geochemical Characteristics and Discharge Recommendations for Flowback Water from Coal-Rock Gas Wells, Eastern Ordos Basin. Earth Science, 51(7): 2807-2820. doi: 10.3799/dqkx.2026.223
    Citation: Wang Jiaying, Tian Wenguang, Zhang Daofeng, Wang Huaichang, Yan Yihong, Xue Yiqin, Wang Xinshui, 2026. Geochemical Characteristics and Discharge Recommendations for Flowback Water from Coal-Rock Gas Wells, Eastern Ordos Basin. Earth Science, 51(7): 2807-2820. doi: 10.3799/dqkx.2026.223
    shu

    Geochemical Characteristics and Discharge Recommendations for Flowback Water from Coal-Rock Gas Wells, Eastern Ordos Basin

    doi: 10.3799/dqkx.2026.223
    • 1.

      School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China

    • 2.

      Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, Beijing 100083, China

    • 3.

      Research Institute of Exploration and Development, Changqing Oilfield Company, PetroChina, Xi'an 710018, China

    • 4.

      Research Institute of Exploration and Development, PetroChina Huabei Oilfield Company, Renqiu 062552, China

    • Received Date: 2026-05-28
    • Publish Date: 2026-07-25
      Abstract
    • The coal-rock gas represents a key domain of unconventional natural gas exploration and development in China. The flowback water generated during the coal-rock gas extraction is characterized by complex chemical compositions and poses potential risks to the aquatic environment. Therefore, investigating the geochemical characteristics and environmental risks of flowback water is of significant theoretical and practical importance for promoting the green development of the coal-rock gas and safeguarding regional water environment security. In this study, 80 flowback water samples were collected from 24 coal-rock gas wells in the eastern Ordos Basin. Systematic analyses of cations, anions, trace elements, hydrogen-oxygen isotopes and strontium isotopes were conducted to decipher the geochemical properties of the flowback fluids, reveal the genetic mechanism of the original formation water, evaluate potential environmental risks, and propose targeted treatment suggestions. The results show that the flowback water is characterized by high salinity and high total dissolved solids (TDS), with Cl-, Na+, Ca2+ and Sr2+ as the dominant ions. These samples are enriched in Ca and Sr but depleted in Mg, displaying higher total elemental concentrations than those of the flowback water from shale gas wells in the Sichuan Basin. It is concluded that the flowback water is a mixture of fracturing fluid and original formation water, and the original formation water in the study area is inferred to be of Cl-Ca type. The original formation water has undergone paleo-seawater evaporation and multiple types of water-rock interactions (including carbonate dissolution, dolomitization, clay mineral adsorption and mudstone dissolution), and exhibits significant spatial differentiation. The intense water-rock interactions recorded in the original formation water indicate that the reservoirs are tight and well-sealed, which is favorable for the generation and preservation of the coal-rock gas. Given that some toxic heavy metals in the flowback water exceed environmental discharge standards, we suggest establishing a disposal framework of "source-directed reuse, neutralization & salinity control, and full-domain management" to effectively mitigate environmental risks.

       

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