GroundwaterU Video Summary

Ohio’s underground injection control program is one of the most stringent in the nation; the permitting process is overseen by experts in geology, hydrology, and seismology, who ensure each well is designed to protect the underground water resources and to prevent induced seismic activity; no new injection wells may be located in areas known to have geologic faults.

The animation shows how fluids are pumped directly from delivery trucks into above-ground storage tanks and then thousands of feet below the earth’s surface. Spill prevention safeguards are also required at each well site: a concrete vault rests below the brine truck unloading pad, which serves as a containment vessel if a spill occurs while the hauler is unloading the fluid. Injection wells are required to have at least three layers of protective steel pipe casings. Additionally, the injection zone for the brine fluid sits below multiple layers of impermeable rock, which keeps the fluid trapped deep in the porous rock formations thousands of feet below the groundwater aquifers. Before the injection process begins, a packer is inserted into the well to prevent any fluids from rising back to surface. The brine and fluid is then pumped into the targeted rock formation, where it spreads throughout the deep bedrock and poses no threat to the groundwater aquifers due to the impermeable layer of rock above the injection zone.

About this Video

Source: youtu.be/tgw3An4IHpc
Video Creator: Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Recommended/Summary by: Andrew Cohen
Curated by GroundwaterU on: 01/17/2022

Video Language: English
Video Category: Policy/Legal, Science/Engineering
Multimedia Type: Animation/Simulation
Presentation Style:
Technical Level: Beginner