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Water-Energy Nexus: The Role of Hydraulic Fracturing

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Regulating Water Security in Unconventional Oil and Gas

Part of the book series: Water Security in a New World ((WSEC))

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Abstract

This chapter considers some challenges attendant on optimising water-energy trade-offs in hydraulic fracturing, focusing on the interplays between constantly evolving technologies (e.g. use of treated effluent, brackish water or even waterless methods) and regulatory systems, using the Eagle Ford shale play in Texas as a case study. Regulators and higher level policy-makers often have conflicting preferences associated with the specific trade-offs (environmental, economic and social) that come within their purview. Therefore, it is very important to understand the basic trade-offs of the water-energy nexus when addressing nexus issues such as energy resources mining and production, water production, treatment and allocation, power plant construction and environmental impacts.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Water-Energy-Food Nexus Initiative, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX, USA

    Ahmed M. Mroue

  2. Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA

    Gabrielle Obkirchner

  3. Zachry Department of Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA

    Jennifer Dargin & Jordan Muell

Authors
  1. Ahmed M. Mroue
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  2. Gabrielle Obkirchner
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  3. Jennifer Dargin
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  4. Jordan Muell
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ahmed M. Mroue .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA, Lyndon B. Johnson School for Public Affairs, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA

    Regina M. Buono

  2. ICATALIST, Madrid, Spain

    Elena López Gunn

  3. School of Law, Division of Business & Law, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Jennifer McKay

  4. Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK

    Chad Staddon

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Mroue, A.M., Obkirchner, G., Dargin, J., Muell, J. (2020). Water-Energy Nexus: The Role of Hydraulic Fracturing. In: Buono, R., López Gunn, E., McKay, J., Staddon, C. (eds) Regulating Water Security in Unconventional Oil and Gas. Water Security in a New World. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18342-4_2

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