Hydraulic Fracturing and Potential Environmental Impacts

Denise M. CoxSenior Technical Advisor, Storm Energy

5 November 2013

Based  on  a presentation compiled by:Tom J. Temples, PhD

PetroSkills, Inc; Past‐President AAPG Division of Environmental Science

Michael H. Young, PhD Associate Director Environmental Systems, Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas

Consumer Energy Alliance Overview on Natural Gas and Hydraulic Fracturing 

and its Impact on Florida

• Honorable Jose Felix Diaz– Chairman of the Florida House Energy and Utilities

Subcommittee

• The Honorable Ray Rodrigues– Member, Florida House of Representatives

• Michael Zehr / Natalie Joubert / Kevin Doyle– Consumer Energy Alliance

• Denise M. Cox– Senior Technical Advisor, Storm Energy

Outline• What is Hydraulic Fracturing• Potential Environmental Concerns

– Subsurface concerns– Surface concerns

• “Frac*ing in the news: Fact or Allegation?• Best Practices• Conclusions

* There is no “k” in hydraulic fracturing. “Frack” is a pejorative term to invoke a negative connotation to a mechanical process.

What is Hydraulic Fracturing?

• Technique in which – water is combined is

mixed with sand and chemicals,

– injected at high pressure into a wellbore to create small cracks and fissures (typically less than 1mm),

– so that fluids such as gas, petroleum and brine water may migrate to the well

FracFocus.org

What is Hydraulic Fracturing?

• Different groups define “hydraulic fracturing” different ways

• Oil and gas business and regulators– The process of mechanically stimulating

(fracturing) the well

• Media and in some opposing groups – includes all aspects of drilling, casing, hydraulic

fracturing, and operations

Some History and Statistics ofHydraulic Fracturing

• Introduced into commercial practice in 1947– Stanolind Oil in Hugoton Field,

KS– Can actually be traced back to

the 1860’s in the Appalachian Basin

– Operators used nitroglycerin

• Over 1.2 million wells have been fracture stimulated to date

JPT Online

Shooters – A “Fracking” History

Montgomery and Smith, 2010

Homework: YouTube Video Drilling, Completion, Hydraulic Fracturing, & Production

• Get a sense of vertical scale from the surface and shallow aquifers to the shale.

• Grasp the amount of equipment involved in drilling and completion operations.

• Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing of shale reservoirs are part of a high-tech industry!

http://youtu.be/VY34PQUiwOQ

Hydraulic Fracturing Potential Surface and Subsurface

Environmental Impacts

Traffic

Land and Landscape

Impacts

Groundwater

Above-Ground Water Management

Methane Emissions

Induced Seismicity

Stray Methane

Contamination from Frac Water

Groundwater Resources

Increased Deep Well Disposal

Potential Environmental Impacts

Surface

Subsurface

Potential Environmental Impacts

from Drilling to Post Well Completion

Hydraulic fracture site, Haynesville shale N. LA. Bear Creek Services, LLC

Produced fluid facilities Gas well head Pipelines

Frac*ing in the News

Fact or Allegation?Hydraulic Fracturing Leads to Groundwater Contamination

Recent Peer-Reviewed Studies concluded that groundwater contamination from hydraulic

fracturing is “not physically plausible.“

• Constraints on Upward Migration of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid and BrineSamuel A. Flewelling and Manu Sharma, Groundwater Jul 2013

• Hydraulic fracture height limits and fault interactions in tight oil and gas formations, Samuel A. Flewelling, Matthew P. Tymchak, and Norm WarpinskiGEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 40, 3602–3606, doi:10.1002/grl.50707, 2013

Examples of Hydraulic Fractures and Distance to Ground Water

• Barnett Shale, TX • Marcellus Shale, PA

1 mi

2 mi

3 mi

1 mi

2 mi

3 mi

Approximate depth Sunniland trend

Approximate depth Sunniland trend

Approximate depth of Florida aquifersApproximate depth of Florida aquifers

Energy Institute University of Texas at Austin

• Hydraulic fracturing in shale formations “has no direct connection” to groundwater contamination.

• Many problems attributed to hydraulic fracturing “are related to processes common to all oil and gas drilling operations” – Drilling pipe inadequately cased in concrete.– Above-ground spills or other mishandling of wastewater.

http://www.texasenterprise.utexas.edu/2012/02/20/policy/ut-energy-institute-study-shows-no-groundwater-contamination-hydraulic-fracturing

Potential Pathways for Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid and Formation Methane

• Surface Spills & Facility Leaks

• Well Casing Failure

• Abandoned Wells

Vertical Cross Section

Horizontal Cross Section

TheEpochTimes March 2013

The Department of Energy (“DOE”)

• Year-long study in western Pennsylvania • No evidence that chemicals used during

the hydraulic fracturing process have contaminated drinking water aquifers adjacent to the drilling site

Fact or Allegation?Hydraulic Fracturing uses

Dangerous Chemicals

Hydraulic Fracturing Mixture Composition

Freshwater and Sand: 99.51% Other 0.49%

Hydraulic Fracturing

Mixture Composition

Common Uses for Chemicals Product Purpose Other Common Uses*

Water Expand the fracture and deliver sand Landscaping, manufacturing

Sand (Proppant)Allows the fractures to remain open so that the natural gas and oil can escape

Drinking water filtration, play sand, concrete and brick mortar

AcidHelps dissolve minerals and initiate cracks in the rock

Swimming pool and chemical and cleaner

Anti‐bacterial AgentEliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive byproducts

Disinfectant; sterilizer for medical and dental equipment

Breaker Allows a delayed breakdown of the gel

Used in hair coloring, as a disinfectant, and in the manufacture of common household plastics

Clay stabilizer Prevents formation clays from swellingUsed in low‐sodium table salt substitute, medicines, and IV fluids

Common Uses for Chemicals Product Purpose Other Common Uses*Corrosion inhibitor Prevents corrosion of the pipe

Used in pharmaceuticals, acrylic fibers and plastics

CrosslinkerMaintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases

Used in laundry detergents, hand soaps and cosmetics

Friction reducer Slicks the water to minimize frictionUsed in cosmetics including hair, make‐up, nail and skin products

Gelling agentThickens the water in order to suspend the sand

Cosmetics, baked goods, ice cream, toothpaste, sauces and salad dressings

Iron control Prevents precipitation of metal in the pipeFood additive; food and beverages; lemon juice

pH Adjusting Agent

Maintains the effectiveness of other components, such as crosslinkers

Laundry detergents, soap, water softener and dishwasher detergents

Scale inhibitorPrevents scale deposits downhole and in surface equipment

Used in household cleansers, deicer, paints and caulk

SurfactantUsed to increase the viscosity of the fracture fluid

Glass cleaner, multi‐surface cleansers, antiperspirant, deodorants and hair‐color

Not So Fast –US House Committee Report on Chemicals Used in Hydraulic Fracturing, April 2011

• Industry uses approximately 750 different chemicals in fracture stimulation

• Of these chemicals 29 chemicals are– known or possible human carcinogens– regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act – listed as hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.

• Industry has annual and wellsite safety training in the use of these chemicals

Hazardous Chemicals UsedChemical Component Chemical Category Category # of ProductsMethanol (Methyl alcohol) HAP 342Ethylene glycol (1,2‐ethanediol) HAP 119Diesel Carcinogen, SDWA,HAP 51Naphthalene  Carcinogen, HAP 44Xylene  SDWA,HAP 44Hydrogen chloride (Hydrochloric acid) HAP 42Toluene  SDWA,HAP 29Ethylbenzene  SDWA,HAP 28Diethanolamine (2,2‐iminodiethanol) HAP 14Formaldehyde  Carcinogen, HAP 12Sulfuric acid  Carcinogen 9Thiourea Carcinogen 9Benzyl chloride  Carcinogen, HAP 8Cumene  HAP 6Nitrilotriacetic acid Carcinogen 6Dimethyl formamide HAP 5Phenol  HAP 5Benzene  Carcinogen, SDWA,HAP 3Di (2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate Carcinogen, SDWA,HAP 3Acrylamide Carcinogen, SDWA,HAP 2Hydrogen fluoride (Hydrofluoric acid) HAP 2Phthalic anhydride HAP 2Acetaldehyde  Carcinogen, HAP 1Acetophenone HAP 1Copper  SDWA,HAP 1Ethylene oxide Carcinogen, HAP 1Lead  Carcinogen, SDWA,HAP 1Propylene oxide Carcinogen, HAP 1p‐Xylene  HAP 1

HAP = Hazardous Air Pollutants (Clean Air Act)

SDWA = Safe Drinking Water Act

What’s in your garage?

Fact or Allegation?

Hydraulic Fracturing Releases Methane to the Atmosphere

• Fact– Hydraulic fracturing accounts for only 3.6% of released

methane from drilling operationsEnvironmental Research Letters 7(4):044030,2012

• Allegation– Hydraulic fractured wells leak 40 to 60% more methane

than conventional wellsClimatic Change (2011) 106;679-690

Be clear what is being measured!

American Petroleum Institute (API) and America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA)

• Methane emissions are 50 percent lower than EPA estimates

• Venting of methane into the atmosphere during liquids unloading is 86 percent lower than EPA’s estimates. – Emissions from well re-fracturing are 72 percent lower than EPA

estimates.– Well re-fracture rates are significantly lower than EPA estimated.

• EPA estimated the re-fracture rate at 10 percent of active wells, but the actual rate ranged from 0.7 percent to 2.3 percent.

Flare Gas with Shale Liquids Production

Flaring is regulated at both the federal and state level30 CFR 250.1160 - When may I flare or vent gas?

BakkenDispach.com Resilience.org

Eagleford

Methane in Well Water

• Evaluation of Methane Sources in Groundwater in Northeastern Pennsylvania – Study examined over 1,700 water wells in gas-

producing and non-gas producing areas– Determined “methane is ubiquitous in groundwater”

in the region AND– It is unrelated to Marcellus Shale development.

Groundwater May 2013

[In situ shallow formation gas ]

Truth or Allegation?Hydraulic Fracturing Causes Earthquakes

(induced seismicity)

Earthquake Hazard Map

Induced Seismicity

• What is Induced Seismicity?– Seismic activity that is related

to human activities

• What is a micro Seismic event?– Magnitude less than 2.0

Seismicity Studies• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

– “no evidence to suggest that hydraulic fracturing itself is the cause of the increased rate of earthquakes” (Hayes, 2012).

• Zoback, 2012, Stanford School of Earth Sciences– “the pressurization during hydraulic fracturing affects only limited

volumes of rock (typically several hundred meters in extent) and pressurization typically lasts only a few hours”Induced Seismicity Potential in Energy Technologies, National Academy of Sciences

Induced Seismicity• No instances of induced seismicity where M>3.0

have been detected • 2 instances where M<3.0 have been attributed to

hydraulic fracturing– Cuadrilla Resources in the Great Britain (2.3 magnitude)– Eola Field, Oklahoma (2.8 magnitude)

• In both cases the fracture stimulations affected existing fault lines

Know the Regional Geology!

Induced Seismicity Potential in Energy Technologies (2012), National Academy of Sciences

Observations of Induced Seismicity

Global United StatesWaste water injection 11 (9)Oil and gas extraction (withdrawal) 38 (20)Secondary recovery (water flooding) 27 (18)Geothermal energy 25 (3)Hydraulic fracturing (shale gas) 2 (1)Surface water reservoirs: 44 (6)Other (e.g. coal and solution mining) 8 (3)

Induced Seismicity Potential in Energy Technologies(2012), National Academy of Sciences

Truth or Allegation?

• We need more regulation at the Federal level

• We need to understand and enforce regulation at the State and Federal level

Black & Veatch, “Solutions”

Federal Laws Applicable to Drilling1. The Clean Water Act (CWA)

– Regulates discharges of pollutants to surface water and storm water runoff.

2. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)– Regulates injection of fluid wastes (produced water) under the ground.

3. The Clean Air Act (CAA) – Sets rules for air emissions from engines, gas processing equipment, tanks and other

sources associated with production and drilling activities.

4. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)– Requires environmental impact assessments for development of federal lands.

5. Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)– Sets safety standards, requires Material Safety Data Sheets for chemicals used on locations for employee

use.

6. Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)– Requires storage of regulated chemicals above certain quantities be reported to local and

state emergency responders on an annual basis.

Truth or Allegation?

Hydraulic Fracturing Squanders Water Resources

Statistics

• 2-4 million gallons of water are needed to hydraulically fracture a single well– 3-80% or more of the total amount

of water can be recovered during “flowback”.

– Flowback is regulated by 1 or more state regulatory agencies depending on the state.

• There is a growing trend for companies to recycle wastewater in hydraulic fracturing operations– Filtration, reverse osmosis, and ion

exchange

FracFocus.org and Kansas Geological Survey, Public Information Circular (PIC) 32

FracFocus.org

What Does 4 Million Gallons of Water Equal?

• Used annually by 40 American households for indoor uses only.– Source: Sustainable Asset Management

• Used annually for outdoor watering by 90 typical American households.– Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

• Used by New York City every six minutes.– Source: New York City Department of Environmental Protection

• Irrigate enough cornfields to produce 5,100 gallons (121Barrels) of ethanol.

– Source: USDA Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey

Source: Estimated Use of Water in the United States 2005, USGS 2005

How Water is Used

U.S.

FL

FL

Best Practices

10 Hydraulic Fracturing Best Practices1) Conduct Environmental Sampling Before

and During Operations2) Disclose the Chemicals Being Used in

Hydraulic Fracturing Operations 3) Ensure that Wellbore Casings are

Properly Designed and Constructed4) Eliminate Venting and Work Toward

Green Completions– Have gas handling facilities & pipelines in

place early

10 Hydraulic Fracturing Best Practices

5) Prevent Flowback Spillage/Leaks6) Dispose/Recycle Flowback Properly7) Minimize Noise and Dust8) Protect Workers and Drivers9) Communicate and Engage10) Record and Document

Conclusions• Do your homework!

– Understand the depth perspective and theentire drilling and completion process.

• Know what you are asking for and how it is being answered.– Make sure statements are documented

with the source of scientific data.– Use your State Survey and State Agencies– Do integrated studies with environmental

consultants & industry – they have the people and technical resources to help.

Concerned citizens, environmentalists, and industry ALL have valid perspectives, listen carefully and address the issues with data.

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