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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database
GCAGS Transactions
Abstract
Reclamation of Saltwater-Contaminated Soil in Big Lake Field
Michael L. "Doc" Weathers (1), Kenneth R. Moore (2), Donald L. Ford (3), Charles K. Curlee (4)
ABSTRACT
Since the oil discovery at Santa Rita No. 1 in 1923, Big Lake field in Reagan County, Texas, has produced 135 million bbl of oil and 1 billion bbl of saltwater. Until the early 1960's, the accepted disposal method for saltwater was surface discharge to evaporation ponds north of the field. Approximately 200 million bbl of saltwater was discharged, resulting in 11 mi2 of barren landscape characterized by saline soils incapable of supporting vegetation.
In 1989 an experimental project was initiated to reclaim 0.5 mi2 of affected area to rangeland productivity. An underground drainage system was installed to drain near-surface, salt-saturated perched water. Earthen terraces were constructed to reduce rainfall runoff and increase percolation to facilitate leaching of salts from the surface soil. Salt-saturated groundwater is drained by the system and pumped to injection wells for disposal.
The excellent revegetation that has occurred over the test area after 2 years of operations is encouraging and has shown the need for enhancing the existing system with supplemental water from fresh-water wells, application of soil amending agents, and selective planting of salt-tolerant species.
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