This document discusses groundwater management in the Syr Darya transboundary basin. It summarizes the increasing intensity of subsurface resource use, both conventional uses like groundwater extraction and newer uses like geothermal energy development, carbon capture and storage, and deep well injection. It categorizes different types of subsurface activities and their distributions. Key subsurface resources discussed include aquifers, oil and gas reservoirs, geothermal reservoirs, and deep saline formations used for injection and storage. The document stresses that decision-makers need a reliable understanding of the benefits, costs and risks of different subsurface activities to properly manage subsurface resources and activities.

1. Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan
Kazakhstan
GROUNDWATER
MANAGEMENT
IN
THE
SYR
DARYA
TRANSBOUNDARY
BASIN
MANAGING
THE
SUBSURFACE
SPACE
by
ANDREA
MERLA
PROJECT
PREPARATION
PHASE
INCEPTION
MEETING
Paris
–
February
3-­‐4,
2014

2. Use
of
the
subsurface
has
become
steadily
more
intensive,
both
by
the
intensificaRon
of
convenRonal
uses
of
the
subsurface
and
its
resources,
and
by
the
emergence
of
relaRvely
new,
non-­‐convenRonal
uses.
The
first
category
includes
groundwater
abstracRon
and
the
extracRon
of
minerals
and
hydrocarbons.
Using
the
subsurface
for
developing
geothermal
energy,
for
systemaRc
disposal
of
hazardous
waste
or
for
various
injecRon/recovery
applicaRons
started
more
recently.
Subsurface
construcRng
may
be
a
convenRonal
acRvity,
but
its
quickly
increasing
intensity
in
numerous
areas
is
unprecedented.
Likewise,
groundwater
abstracRon
is
in
some
areas
shi]ing
to
aquifers
at
greater
depths
than
ever
before.

3. Category
Type
of
AcRvity
DistribuRon
Pushing
the
Aquifer
fronRer
Groundwater
withdrawal
from
deeper
Sedimentary
basins
aquifers
(>500m)
Subsurface
Energy
Development
Oil
&
Gas
Geothermal
energy
Major
sedimentary
Basins
Thermally
anomalous
areas
Disposal/storage
of
Hazardous
wastes
Deep
Well
InjecRon
Areas
associated
with
oil
&
gas
industry
InjecRon
and
recovery
SoluRon
mining
ReinjecRon
spent
geothermal
fluids
Fracking
Carbon
Capture
and
SequestraRon
Mining
areas
Geothermal
fields
Shale
gas
formaRons
Tests
in
Canada,
Algeria,
N.
Sea
ConstrucRons
Pipelines,
sewerage,
cables
Tunnels,
railways
Car
parks
etc.
General,
Urban
Areas
Aquifer
Recharge
Managed
Aquifer
Recharge
Aquifers
Storage
and
Recovery
General

5. THE
FOUR
MAIN
SUBSURFACE
RESOURCES

6. AQUIFER
STORAGE
AND
RECOVERY
DEEP
WELL
INJECTION

7. TIBET
SINGAPORE

8. Decision-­‐makers
and
stakeholders
need
to
be
aware
of
the
many
potenRal
uses
and
the
current
uses
of
the
subsurface
and
subsurface
resources
in
the
area
of
their
concern.
Furthermore,
they
need
to
have
a
reliable
picture
of
the
benefits,
costs
and
risks
of
the
individual
subsurface
acRviRes
(in
comparison
with
those
of
non-­‐subsurface
alternaRves).
UncertainRes
exist
on
the
assumed
properRes
and
potenRal
of
the
underground.
Many
processes
that
produce
change
in
the
subsurface
are
virtually
irreversible,
on
a
human
Rme
scale.
Those
responsible
for
groundwater
resources
management
should
make
sure
that
all
new
iniRaRves
for
subsurface
acRviRes
are
known
to
them
in
Rme