PjTatano HydraulicFracturing TechnicalDefinition
PjTatano HydraulicFracturing TechnicalDefinition
PjTatano HydraulicFracturing TechnicalDefinition
Water Additives
The fluid pumped downhole is 99.5% comprised of water and sand (Energy and Opportunity).
Sand is mixed with the water to increase production. The tiny sand grains are able to enter the
fractures and then prop them open in order to allow gas to exit the rock formation. That way, once
the water leaves, they will continue to stay open and serve as a means of transportation for the gas
escaping the formation.
The small percentage of the mixture remaining is made up of chemicals and additives that are
specific to each company. The breakdown of typical fluid components is illustrated in Figure 4.
Many of these additives are common items found in residences such as chemicals found in
detergents, cosmetics, and deodorant. These chemicals are used to increase production by helping
ensure that fractures remain open, to assist gas in moving to the surface, or a variety of other
means of increasing the efficiency of the process (COGA).
Water Returning to the Surface
Typical shales could require up to 8 million gallons of water to fracture and complete, making water the
most vital resource when fracking a well. The water used in this process could be from nearby fresh water
sources such as lakes and rivers, or from ground water (A Brief History). Hundreds of tankers are
required to transport this water to the site and often
dozens of pump trucks are needed to pump the
pressurized mixture down the wellbore. However,
after the water is pumped downhole, the process
isnt over. Figure 5 illustrates the complete
hydraulic fracturing water cycle. While most of the
water stays in the formation, between 20% and
40% of the water is brought back to the surface (A
Brief History). This water returning to surface,
commonly known as flowback water, contains a
variety of different chemicals and naturally
occurring substances. Due to the chemical content
of the water, it needs to be either treated or
disposed in order to ensure that it is not placed back
in the environment where it would contaminate the
surrounding area. Before it is transported, it is first
stored on site, typically in tanks or pits (EPA).
Figure 5: Flowback Water Path (EPA)
Works Cited
"A Brief History of Hydraulic Fracturing." EEC Environmental. Environmental Engineering & Contracting, n.d.
Web. 23 Mar. 2016.
"Energy and Opportunity." Hydraulic Fracturing. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.
"Hydraulic Fracturing." HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks.com, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.
"Hydraulic Fracturing." Speight/Handbook of Hydraulic Fracturing Handbook of Hydraulic Fracturing (2016):
125-64. The Basics: Hydraulic Fracturing. COGA. Web.
"Oil & Gas Fundamentals Petroleum Oil and Gas Prospecting Fundamentals. MPG Petroleum, n.d. Web. 23
Mar. 2016.
"The Hydraulic Fracturing Water Cycle." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.
"What Is Hydraulic Fracturing?" Top Stories RSS. ProPublica, 13 Nov. 2008. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.