From: David Dow <ddow420@comcast.net>
Date: Tue, Mar 13, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Subject: Fwd: Weekly Swamp Stomp 72 - What is in fracturing fluid
fyi
Begin forwarded message:
From: Marc Seelinger <info@swampschool.org>
Date: March 13, 2012 10:24:38 AM EDT
By The Swamp School
There has been a controversy about fracking in recent days. Amongst many issues is the question of what exactly is in fracturing fluids and what happens to them. There are a number of answers to this that speak to proprietary recipes of the fracturing fluids. However, the folks at the American Petroleum Institute have identified a number of key ingredients.The largest ingredient is water. Over 90% of the fracturing fluids is made up of plain old water. Each well is estimated to need about 3 million gallons of water. So it is a lot of water. Where this water comes from is also an issue in and of itself.The second major ingredient is sand. The sand is used to provide void spaces in the shale once the the pressure from the fracking has been released. Approximately 9.5% of the fracturing fluids is comprised of sand. This needs to be mined and trucked in. Many fracking sites are miles from reliable sand borrow pits.
The third ingredient are chemical additives. This is mainly to help float the sand and aid in the fracking process. This makes up about 0.5% of the fracturing fluids.These are some of the main ingredients. There are others, but it is sort of like the secret recipe for Coca Cola. It is a very closely guarded.
Typical Chemical Additives Used in Frac Water Compound Purpose Common Application Acids Helps dissolve minerals
and initiate fissure in
rock (pre-fracture)Swimming pool cleaner Sodium Chloride Allows a delayed
breakdown of the gel
polymer chainsTable Salt Polyacrylamide Minimizes the friction
between fluid and pipeWater treatment, soil
conditionerEthylene Glycol Prevents scale deposits
in the pipeAutomotive anti-freeze,
deicing agent, household
cleanersBorate Salts Maintains fluid viscosity
as temperature increasesLaundry detergent, hand
soap, cosmeticsSodium/Potassium
CarbonateMaintains effectiveness
of other components,
such as crosslinkersWashing soda, detergent,
soap, water softener,
glass, ceramicsGlutaraldehyde Eliminates bacteria in
the waterDisinfectant, sterilization
of medical and dental
equipmentGuar Gum Thickens the water to
suspend the sandThickener in cosmetics,
baked goods, ice cream,
toothpaste, saucesCitric Acid Prevents precipitation of
metal oxidesFood additive; food and
beverages; lemon juiceIsopropanol Used to increase the
viscosity of the fracture
fluidGlass cleaner,
antiperspirant, hair
coloringWhat happens after the fracking is done? How much of the fracturing fluids are recovered?There are several ways oil and natural gas companies manage the use of fracturing fluids, depending on what specifically is in them, the presence of usable groundwater or surface waters, geography, and local, state, and federal regulations.Spent or used fracturing fluids are normally recovered at the initial stage of well production and recycled in a closed system for future use or disposed of under regulation, either by surface discharge where authorized under the Clean Water Act or by injection into Class II wells as authorized under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Regulation may also allow recovered fracturing fluids to be disposed of at appropriate commercial facilities.Not all fracturing fluid returns to the surface. Over the life of the well, some is left behind and confined by thousands of feet of rock layers. It is estimated that about 70% of the fracturing fluids are left in the ground.
I hope that this helps.
Cheers!
- Marc
Please note that this information does not constitute legal advice and is meant as informational only. It is strongly recommended that you seek the services of a competent environmental attorney for the interpretation of any legal or regulatory matter presented herein.
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