Hydraulic Fracturing Best Management Practices

Hydraulic Fracturing Best Management PracticesEnvironmentally Friendly Drilling Program

Objectives of PresentationIntroduce and describe hydraulic fracturingPresent environmental concernsDiscuss best management practices

US Shale Plays

Major Shale Plays with Hydraulic FracturingBakkenNorth Dakota, Montana, CanadaOilBarnettTexas (DFW Area)Natural GasEagle FordSouth TexasOil and Natural GasHaynesvilleTexas, LouisianaNatural GasMarcellusPennsylvania, Ohio, New York, West VirginiaNatural GasWoodfordOklahomaOil and Natural Gas

What is Hydraulic Fracturing?Hydraulic fracturing is a process used to stimulate wells in tight, shale reservoirs.Uses water, sand and chemicals to extend, prop open fractures to allow for the flow of oil and natural gas.

Hydraulic Fracturing ProcessDrill the wellSome only verticalSome have horizontal lateralCase and Cement possible hazard areasPressure zonesGround Water AreasPerforate casing and cementing with Perforating GunBegins fracture process in rock formationPump fracturing fluid down holeHigh pressured fluid extend fracturesProduction

Casing and CementingCasing and cementing a wellbore is used to:Protect groundwater from contaminationKeep integrity of well-boreCasing is steel pipe that is designed to handle:over- or under-pressured zones and high tensile stresses down holeCasing is cemented in place to safely deliver hydrocarbons to the surface

Perforating the FormationPerforated using a perf gunPerforating guns use explosive charges to fracture:CasingCementingFormation

Fracturing Fluid98-99.5% Water and SandThe other 0.5-2%:Additives that enhance fracturingMany additives are used to protect casing, cementing, and well integrity3-7 million gallons of fluid used in typical horizontal well

ProppantSand pumped down hole is known as proppantKeeps fractures propped openComes in three major formsUntreated sandResin-coated SandCoated for strength in harsh conditionsCeramicArtificial Proppant, very strong at high pressuresSaid to be in shortage, more using resin-coated sandSelected based on strength needed and size

Chemical AdditivesCommon Additives include:Acids, Biocides, Gelling Agents, pH Adjusting Agents, Corrosion Inhibitors, Iron Control, Clay Stabilizer, Acid InhibitorOther additives could be used depending on well characteristicsAdditives considered harmful are often found in household items

Hydraulic Fracturing AnimationEnvironmental ConcernsChemical concernsPumping chemicals near water tableFailure in pits and liners could leak chemicalsHigh water usageAir Emissions from truck useSurface Area used

EPA StudyLooking into groundwater protectionMajor areas of study include:Water acquisitionChemical MixingWell InjectionFlowback and Produced WaterWastewater treatment/disposal

Water Table Safety Fracture FactsFractures are necessary for hydrocarbons to flow from the tight shale formationsFractures are typically thousands of feet below water tableThey extend only hundreds of feet at most in any given direction

Hydraulic Fracturing BMPsGreen Frac Program IdeaChesapeake EnergyRefracturing wellsRestimulation via fracturing againClosed-loop Fracturing SystemChief Oil and Gas one of many usersPad DrillingDrills multiple wells from same pad siteCentralized FracturingFracturing multiple wells from central pad

Green Frac ProgramProgram instituted by Chesapeake EnergyOctober 2009Researching additives to:Find which are unnecessaryFind which are necessary, but harmfulFind more environmentally friendly replacements for harmful additivesSpecific findings are proprietary information

Refracturing WellsUsed to restimulate wells with production slowedReduces surface area taken by taking away need for new well for oil and gas85% of success found in 15% of total wells drilledNot universally successfulWhen successful, greatly increases production

Closed Loop Fracturing SystemRather than using water only once and putting in large pits, the frac fluid is circulated and stored in large steel tanksSolids are removed from water using mechanical and chemical methodsCompared to older methods, CLF is Environmentally friendlyEconomically efficient

Environmentally Friendly CLFTakes away use of pits and linersPits and liners have been known to burst, releasing chemicals onto surfaceStores in large, sturdy steel tanksUses much less waterWater is reused throughout fracturing processReduces water usage by as much as 80%Reduces truck trafficTruck loads have been observed to reduce by up to 75%Reduces air emissions and traffic congestion

Economically EfficientWater usage is reducedTruck mileage is also reducedCompanies who have drilled similar wells using CLF have saved about $10,000 in overall expenses compared to conventional drilling

Pad DrillingDrills multiple wells from single pad siteAllows for centralized fracturingFracturing from single location for multiple wellsReduces acreage necessary for wellsReduces truck traffic for making pad siteEnhances closed loop systems

Centralized FracturingFracing multiple wells on a site from a single, central padFraced up to 140 wells from single siteFraced up to 3 miles awaySignificantly reduces truck traffic and time expendedTruck traffic was reduced by up to 30% for a single well, up to 90% for the site as a wholeTime was reduced by up to 80% to drill, complete the wellWhen used with closed loop and pad drilling, saves even more truck traffic and water used

Past, Present, and Future Best Management Practices

ConclusionHydraulic fracturing is the future of the energy industryThere are environmental risks involvedBMPs could be the answer to put unease at restWhen used in combination, BMPs can be even more effective.

Questions?