Overview:

In Episode 160 of the Driller Newscast, host Brock Yordy looks at the impending El Niño event, and how much storms like it and others caused by climate shifts, affect so much more than the weather. As storms and pressure systems like this ramp up, they threaten drilling operations, infrastructure projects, and the world’s water supply.

Sticking with water, what’s the solution as groundwater demand becomes more rampant as communities continue to deal with the fallout of decades of depleted aquifers, rampant development and softening environmental policies and oversight?

During his conversation, Yordy looks at real-world examples and what experts are saying about the crisis and how it extends beyond just powerful storms and wind, but what those acts of nature do to vulnerable power generation strategy, planning for resources and how to manage the fresh water currently available.

Read on for a more detailed recap of our discussion this week.

As we mentioned earlier, El Niño is so much more than just a series of strong storms. It’s rain and high winds affect power generation, water management, but the droughts it stands to deliver specifically in the northern part of the United States are a reality that affects the drilling industry.

Current models indicate an 82 percent chance of an event between today and July. Those models increase to a probability of nearly 96% between now and winter. It’s important that both drilling and construction professions are aware and can prepare now for disruptions, and the increased demand due to those disruptions. 

From hurricanes over the Atlantic Ocean, to cyclones in the Pacific, organizations are adapting to changing storm risks. So, what does this mean right here in the United States?

The groundwater dance

For residents living out west, specifically with water being fed from the Colorado River, reduced snowpack from storms like an El Niño are a legitimate concern. According to Yordy, the Colorado River supports approximately 40 million Americans and multiple tribal nations. Reduced snow threatens the vital runoff that flows and feeds the river each year. 

But it’s not just Colorado, rapidly sinking reservoir levels are forcing greater reliance on groundwater, but pumping groundwater can accelerate and deplete aquifers, putting management systems under stress on how to manage the balance. While it’s a critical backup resource, repeated use puts strain on stability. 

It’s a growing concern too, based on findings within the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) report, as more than half of the world’s aquifers continue to experience a decline. It could soon mean a move to urge for more federal support and oversight when it comes to monitoring and managing aquifers. 

But it’s not just a government approach. Yordy stressed that effective groundwater management requires expertise; the kind that comes from engineers, hydrologists, and leaders in the drilling community. However, as it stands today, there is a shortage of skilled groundwater professionals, as the need for qualified people to mitigate and develop solutions around water grows. 

One promising solution? The idea of managed aquifer recharge (MAR), in which surface water can be redirected to replenish aquifers, instead of exploitation. 

Safeguarding through symbiosis

Deeply intertwined is the correlation between water and energy. Take one look at the ongoing need for water with the proliferation of artificial intelligence and the rise of data centers that support them. But in this case, Yordy looked at hydropower from a standpoint of not just cooling, but treatment and operations. Declining river flows reduce electric generation, threatening a much-needed sector where other power options aren’t as abundant. 

But there is a hope and it’s in the ground as more is known about geothermal and its capabilities. From thermal energy, ground-source heat pumps, and critical power systems that function with carbon dioxide, more innovation in engineering can strengthen energy resilience, and help reduce our need for water.

So, what does the future look like? In the immediate future, through El Niño, Mother Nature will reveal yet again, just how much our infrastructure needs to become more resilient, but that our water, environmental and energy systems must be managed symbiotically. 

As always, thanks for joining us.

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Brock Yordy, Global Drilling SME, Anchor, and lead content creator at TheDriller.com, wants you to contribute to TheDriller.com. Send news, tips and interview suggestions to questions@askbrock.com.