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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.
http://visualoop.tumblr.com/post/33485576972/fracking-in-florida