The amount of water it takes to produce energy – commonly known as the water-energy nexus – is becoming increasingly important as companies, policymakers and environmental groups seek ways to reliably deliver electric power and transportation fuels in an age of climate change-induced extreme weather.

The hydraulic fracturing well completion process can require as much as 90 barrels of water per minute, which is pumped at high pressure into a well bore to break open cracks in the gas-bearing rock. Wells can be hydraulically fractured in 10 different stages requiring considerable volumes of water. Freshwater availability varies geographically, but companies are working on using less water, recycling the water used and experimenting with waterless fracturing techniques.

The following infographic depicts water consumption required for oil and gas development in the Bakken Shale region.