TerrAqua Resource Management (TARM) is a joint venture of Larson Design Group (LDG), Williamsport, PA and Newalta, Calgary, Alberta, Canada that offers water resource management services that support exploration and development in the Marcellus Shale play. TARM’s services include the sale of fresh water and treatment of generated waters for recycling and reuse. Because of its relationship with LDG, TARM’s operations are engineering-driven, focusing on high environmental compliance and occupational safety.
TARM’s unique service is a zero-liquid discharge process. TARM processes a client’s generated water (flowback and produced) that allows for reuse in well development operations. Transportation costs are reduced. TARM facilities are located in or near established drilling patterns, so truck trips are shorter. Trucks travel loaded both ways, so trips are reduced. After treatment, water is returned to the client, reducing the client’s dependency on water withdrawal and water transportation.
TARM’s treatment process results in water that meets an industry accepted standard for reuse in drilling operations. This process does not discharge to the watershed. Clients establish a specific quality for outbound water. With that data, TARM develops pricing for the removal of scaling agents such as Ba, Sr, Ca, and Mg. Water quality data for TARM’s standard treatment approach is contained in our Statement of Qualifications.
TARM sells fresh water to Marcellus operators and service companies at a SRBC permitted site in Lawrenceville Borough, Tioga County. This site commenced operations in early 2011 and is permitted for 375,000 gallons per day.
TARM’s parent company, LDG, has been in the engineering and architectural profession since 1993. LDG currently has 20 Master Service Agreements with Marcellus E&P companies. Since 2008, TARM has been working on a long-term strategy for the treatment of generated waters. TARM’s view is not limited to the next 3 years, but rather the next 30 to 40 years. TARM’s model is to design, build, own, and operate facilities to treat generated waters at locations convenient to operators’ drilling programs.
TARM’s initial facility at Water Tower Square in Williamsport is the first facility to receive a Residual Waste-Beneficial Reuse Permit from PADEP’s Bureau of Waste Management. That permit was issued in March 2010. Operations started in April 2010. As of August 1, 2011, TARM has treated and returned to its clients more than 60+ million gallons of generated water. In addition, this facility is the first to receive Part 1 approval for treatment and discharge under PADEP’s new TDS strategy.
