What Does
Saltwater Disposal Well Mean?
These are class II underground injection holes dug for the disposal of flowback liquid or production liquid (brine) from oil and gas recovery industries.
These are requirements of the EPA (environmental protection agency) environmental and health contamination regulation or control. They protect all water resources meant for human consumption. They also minimize the corrosion threat that saltwater has on metals.
Corrosionpedia Explains Saltwater Disposal Well
Saltwater is produced during the oil or gas retrieval process. Saltwater disposal wells consist of pumps to inject the saltwater into the ground under given temperature and pressure. They are directed into the earth to a specified ground zone where it may be harmless.
To fully contain and deep dispose of the byproduct, the construction of the saltwater disposal wells involves a process of surface casing (up to below the groundwater level), cementing and casing (production) and tubing/ packer.
The saltwater produced during oil or gas production may contain chemicals (hydrocarbons and other industrial compounds) which, when disposed on the ground, will contaminate groundwater and natural reservoirs.
Though they are meant for disposal only, they can also be used to enhance oil and gas recovery by means of displacement under high pressure into each specific formation.