Abstract: Horizontal Well Applications for Environmental Remediation: Louisiana Case Studies

William H. Schramm

In Louisiana, most soil and water contamination found to date is concentrated in shallow (<100 ft) fluvial sediments. A fortunate abundance of clays below these sediments provides a series of natural aquitards which help protect the Chicot and other freshwater aquifers used for drinking and industrial process water.

Through the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) Ground Water Certification Program and routine investigations, a number of companies have discovered contamination under existing production units or in areas scheduled for production expansion. Under State and Federal laws and regulations, once a site is recognized as having contaminants present, assessment and remediation are required to address the problem.

In areas of existing facilities, installation of shallow vertical monitor or recovery wells is extremely difficult due to closely packed process equipment, support structures, piping and slabs/footings/pilings. The advent of modern directional drilling techniques, allows the emplacement of a recovery system beneath existing units without jeopardizing the structural integrity of the unit. The LDEQ has recently approved the application of this innovative technology as a means to remediate contaminated soils and ground water beneath certain inaccessible sites.

This poster presentation provides an examination of selected sites where horizontal wells were installed. A discussion of installation difficulties, and an evaluation of recovery effectiveness are provided. As an ongoing program of site remediation, horizontal recovery wells are proving to be an important and efficient method of addressing complex environmental problems.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90986©1994 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, June 12-15, 1994