ARM Supports Strategic Surface Water Withdrawal Project
ARM was awarded a design build proposal from a confidential client to design and construct a strategic high-volume surface water withdrawal from an exceptional value stream, to support exploration and 
production activities in north-central Pennsylvania. Currently, there are no other active, large-volume water sources located in the vicinity of the leased acreage. The water withdrawn from the intake will be used during natural gas well drilling, cementing, and completion (hydraulic fracturing) activities for an estimated 100 natural gas wells that are to be installed at several well pads located on the client’s leased acreage in the region.
The project was originally developed as a single phase project, but was later divided into two phases. Phase I was recently completed in April 2016 with Phase II proposed to be completed in 2017. Phase I entailed the installation of a submerged intake screen and an 870-foot long 12-inch diameter high-density polyethylene pipe (HDPE) freshwater withdrawal pipeline connected to a nearby pumping station. The electrical infrastructure to power, monitor and record withdrawal data and pump performance was installed by ARM. For Phase I, freshwater will be stored in temporary tanks. Phase II will see the installation of two one-million gallon above ground freshwater storage tanks.
In addition to the civil and environmental engineering and permitting, ARM provided the electrical design of the system, which included the development of monitoring software and a visual interface for flow monitoring and pump control. Phase II will include the additional electrical work to install the remaining components for the load-out pumps for a six bay truck distribution facility, and recirculation pumps for temperature control at the proposed storage tanks.
ARM also prepared and developed the Susquehanna River Basin Commission permit application and metering plan required for the withdrawal, and prepared and submitted the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Joint Permit Application for the installation of the buried intake line and intake screen.
