Hydraulic Shale FracturingHydraulic Shale FracturingKyle KolibaKyle Koliba

Robert StroudRobert Stroud

http://scm-l3.technorati.com/11/10/25/54757/Fracking-diagram-jpg-800x1000-q100.jpg?t=20111025110408

ContentsContents

• Overview• Impact on Energy & Economy• Health & Safety Concerns• Future of Industry

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Overview – “Fracking”Overview – “Fracking”

• Fluid is pumped underground at high pressure after an oil well is drilled

• The high pressure fractures porous shale rock, liberating the natural gas

http://geohistory.valdosta.edu/basics/images_basics/rocks/basic_rocks/shale/shaleTS.gifCross Section of Porous Shale

Overview – HistoryOverview – History• First used in 1947 to

stimulate wells

• Initially uneconomic because of vertical drilling methods

• Addition of “proppants” in 1952 increased natural gas flow by physically keeping fractures open.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_fracturing

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/fGj4ALfHaXE/0.jpg

Overview – DrillingOverview – Drilling

• Drilling Mud is used to regulate well pressure, drill bit temperature, and lift cuttings to surface.

• Cement casing intervals.

http://www.seadrill.com/tcp/stream_file.asp?iEntityId=879

P

T

Overview – Modern Overview – Modern TechniquesTechniques

• Horizontal Drilling (1998)

• Explosive Charges

• Parallel Well lines

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Impact on Energy & Impact on Energy & EconomyEconomy

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Impact on Energy & EconomyImpact on Energy & Economy

• Shale fracturing has lead to an increase in natural gas use for electricity production in lieu of coal.

• Methane burns cleaner than coal

• Price of methane is comparable to price of coal (~$3.00/MMBtu)

http://sweetcrudereports.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Gas-fired-power-plant.jpg

Impact on Energy & Economy - Impact on Energy & Economy - DownstreamDownstream

• Surplus of ethane from recent shale fracturing boom.

• This ethane is starting to replace naphtha as the primary precursor for ethylene production.

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Heath & Safety ConcernsHeath & Safety Concerns• Drinking Water• Flow back water/Wastewater• Fracking chemicals used• The amount of water used

http://8020vision.com/2011/04/17/congress-releases-report-on-toxic-chemicals-used-in-fracking/

Heath & Safety Concerns - Heath & Safety Concerns - Contaminated Contaminated WaterWater• There have been as many as 100 reported

cases of contaminated drinking water where drilling has occurred

• Many of those claiming contaminated water wells blame the flow-back water waste or the drilling process itself

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2011/09/26/329245/photo-proof-fracking-can-make-water-flammable/

Heath & Safety Concerns -Heath & Safety Concerns -Water Water ConsumptionConsumption

2,859 GRADUATE

• Average of 5.5 million gallons per well

• Can be an issue in drought prone areas

• Ex. Eagle-ford Shale in southern Texas

http://ecowatch.org/p/energy/fracking-2/page/9/

Heath & Safety Concerns -Heath & Safety Concerns -WastewaterWastewater

• 60% to 80% of water used (80% of 5.5 million gallons)• Contaminated waste• No clear evidence whether wastewater is the

cause of the contaminated drinking water

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47835612/ns/us_news-environment/t/report-dont-worry-much-about-quakes-fracking/

Heath & Safety Concerns Heath & Safety Concerns - - Fracking Fluid Fracking Fluid ChemicalsChemicals

http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/08/fracking_fluid_fear-mongering_farce.html

Industry Response to ConcernsIndustry Response to Concerns• Insulated jacket installed around pipe to a depth of 800 feet.

This layer is a precautionary device to isolate any leaks in the pipe from reaching any public water sources.

• 7 layers of protection in the well to protect the underground water sources

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6_Zosq0T-g

Industry Response to ConcernsIndustry Response to Concerns• The fracturing occurs at 6,200 feet below sea level, and • Fresh water is approximately 800 feet below sea level

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6_Zosq0T-g

• 5400 foot difference in position. Industry claims at this depth, cracks of gas will not seep into the fresh water chambers

Industry Response to ConcernsIndustry Response to Concerns• Swellable organosilica media

– 99% extraction from hydrocarbons and BTEX (Mineral Oil)– 50% dissolved non-ionic surfactants

http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/08/fracking_fluid_fear-mongering_farce.html

Congressional Response to ConcernsCongressional Response to Concerns• SWDA (Safe Water Drinking Act) is

currently the primary law protecting the drinking water

• In 2004 the EPA (Environment Protection Agency) conducted a study on fracking environment impacts, and claimed that it is perfectly safe

• SWDA makes EPA administer the chemicals in the fracking fluid

• FRAC Act 2009 • Public disclosure of chemicals used• EPA study currently underway

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Heath & Safety Concerns – On-site Heath & Safety Concerns – On-site SafetySafety

• BOP (blow out preventer)• During implementation there are

usually around 600 safety meetings– Shift Change– Hazard Change

• About 180 new safety procedures• JSA (Job Safety Analysis) examine the

risk analysis of the well during drilling– A binder is created every day stating all the

risks, and the appropriate ways to handle them

http://www.drillingformulas.com/bop-testing-procedures/

Future of IndustryFuture of Industry• Methane is a good “bridge

fuel”• By 2035, shale gas is

expected to contribute towards ~45% of the USA’s electricity

• Extends time for petroleum dependent countries to seek out alternative energy sources

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Future of Industry – Price of Natural Future of Industry – Price of Natural GasGas

http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=7710

Future of the Industry – “Greenness” Future of the Industry – “Greenness” • Studies (many from A&M) are being

conducted to remove acids and alcohols from the water used.

• More recycle of fracking fluid,

– Reduced amount of water needed

– Net decrease in amount of water contamination

• Additional EPA study still ongoing to determine the actual environmental hazards of the fracking fluid.

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Future of Industry - Future of Industry - ExpansionExpansion

• Large reserves internationally

• New shale tracts are being discovered rapidly

• The shale fracturing industry is expected to grow rapidly over the next century.

http://www.roperld.com/science/minerals/ShaleGasWorld.jpg

ReferencesReferences1. Sakmar, S.L. "Shale Gas Developments in North America: An

Overview of the Regulatory and Environmental Challenges Facing the Industry." SPE International. (2011): 1-14. Web. 26 Sep. 2012. <http://www.onepetro.org/mslib/servlet/onepetropreview?id=SPE-144279-MS>.

2. Demong, Karl, Ron Hands, and Brad Affleck. "Advancements in Efficiency in Horn River Shale Stimulation." Society of Petroleum Engineers. (2011): n. page. Web. 26 Sep. 2012.

3. United States. U.S. Energy Information Administration.Natural Gas Futures. Washington, D.C.: , 2012. Web. <http://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/hist/rngc1d.htm>

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