Attacking Hydrofracking

Hydrofracking. A strange word, and it describes an even more bizarre process that is currently the trend in the energy world in America. To understand hydrofracking, one must understand what the process is used for and why it has suddenly become a sensational issue in this country.

Most of America’s domestic energy comes from coal power – an abundant natural resource here that has caused plenty of controversy on its own. The vast majority of our total energy, however, comes from foreign oil depositories, however. In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to reduce the amount of foreign oil our country is dependent on. Enter “natural gas.” Natural gas comes from within the earth, and is lighter, less dense, and less harmful to the environment to refine than traditional gasoline. The problem with natural gas is that much of it is stored within rock, sand, and ground – not exactly like gasoline, which is usually contained in ground wells that are more easily accessible.

Most of the natural gas is stored within special rock formations called shale. Shale is not the strongest rock in the world – in fact, it is one of the weakest types of rock. This makes it easier to access than if the gas were stored within much stronger rocks. The shale is oftentimes buried deep within the earth, so energy corporations developed technologies that use giant drills to reach down into the earth and access the shale. Via these drill holes, a potent mixture of sand, water, and chemicals is blasted against the soft shale, causing it to break up. Here is a video to demonstrate exactly how the process works:

 

 

 

 

 

After the shale has been cracked, the pressure from the water-sand mixture continues to crack the shale, releasing the gas contained within. As with any other kind of energy, the “hydrofracking” process has come under fire from many elements of the population. In New York, many citizens have joined petitions to stop the hydrofracking happening in their state. The concerns of the people are varied, but mostly are focused on hydrofracking’s environmental impacts. Since a heady mix of chemicals, water, salt, and sand is being injected directly into the ground, many are concerned with the unknown effects on drinking water. For a list of the chemicals in a typical hydrofracking mixture, here is a list of them and what their effects are, as well as where else we use these chemicals day-to-day.

FRACTURING INGREDIENTS

Product	Purpose	Downhole Result	Other Common Uses*
Water and Sand: ~ 98%
Water	Expand the fracture and deliver sand	Some stays in formation, while the remainder returns with natural formation water as produced water (actual amounts returned vary from well to well)	Landscaping and manufacturing
Sand (Proppant)	Allows the fractures to remain open so that the natural gas and oil can escape	Stays in formation, embedded in fractures (used to “prop” fractures open)	Drinking water filtration, play sand, concrete and brick mortar
Other Additives: ~ 2%
Acid	Helps dissolve minerals and initiate cracks in the rock	Reacts with minerals present in the formation to create salts, water and carbon dioxide (neutralized)	Swimming pool chemicals and cleaners
Anti-bacterial Agent	Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive byproducts	Reacts with micro-organisms that may be present in the treatment fluid and formation; these micro-organisms break down the product with a small amount of the product returning in the produced water	Disinfectant; sterilizer for medical and dental equipment
Breaker	Allows a delayed breakdown of the gel	Reacts with the crosslinker and gel once in the formation, making it easier for the fluid to flow to the borehole; this reaction produces ammonia and sulfate salts, which are returned to the surface in produced water	Hair colorings, as a disinfectant, and in the manufacture of common household plastics
Clay stabilizer	Prevents formation clays from swelling	Reacts with clays in the formation through a sodium-potassium ion exchange; this reaction results in sodium chloride (table salt), which is returned to the surface in produced water	Low-sodium table salt substitutes, medicines and IV fluids
Corrosion inhibitor	Prevents corrosion of the pipe	Bonds to metal surfaces, such as pipe, downhole; any remaining product that is not bonded is broken down by micro-organisms and consumed or returned to the surface in the produced water	Pharmaceuticals, acrylic fibers and plastics
Crosslinker	Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases	Combines with the breaker in the formation to create salts that are returned to the surface with the produced water	Laundry detergents, hand soaps and cosmetics
Friction reducer	“Slicks” the water to minimize friction	Remains in the formation where temperature and exposure to the breaker allows it to be broken down and consumed by naturally occurring micro-organisms; a small amount returns to the surface with the produced water	Cosmetics including hair, make-up, nail and skin products
Gelling agent	Thickens the water to suspend the sand	Combines with the breaker in the formation, making it easier for the fluid to flow to the borehole and return to the surface in the produced water	Cosmetics, baked goods, ice cream, toothpastes, sauces and salad dressings
Iron control	Prevents precipitation of metal in the pipe	Reacts with minerals in the formation to create simple salts, carbon dioxide and water, all of which are returned to the surface in the produced water	Food additives; food and beverages; lemon juice
pH Adjusting Agent	Maintains the effectiveness of other components, such as crosslinkers	Reacts with acidic agents in the treatment fluid to maintain a neutral (non-acidic, non-alkaline) pH; this reaction results in mineral salts, water and carbon dioxide — a portion of each is returned to the surface in the produced water	Laundry detergents, soap, water softeners and dishwasher detergents
Scale inhibitor	Prevents scale deposits downhole and in surface equipment	Attaches to the formation downhole with the majority of the product returning to the surface with the produced water, while the remaining amount reacts with micro-organisms that break down and consume it	Household cleansers, de-icers, paints and caulks
Surfactant	Increases the viscosity of the fracture fluid	Returns to the surface in the produced water, but in some formations it may enter the natural gas stream and return in the produced natural gas	Glass cleaners, multi-surface cleansers, antiperspirants, deodorants and hair colors

*Other common uses of the product may not be in the same quantity or concentration.​

 

Also of concern to environmentalists is the potential for radioactive damage, since the kind of shale used in hydrofracking is known to be unstable and radioactive, not to mention objections regarding the legal impact of the process – who is responsible for damage that occurs thousands of feet below the surface of the earth? Many demonstrators have shown their displeasure at the process, and many more are likely to join the cause. The “cleanest burning fossil fuel” may have some dirtier consequences.

 

Sources:

1. http://www.chevron.com/deliveringenergy/naturalgas/shalegas/?gclid=CP3Xqv-Lra4CFScRNAodHFoZQA

2. http://www.hydraulicfracturing.com/Fracturing-Ingredients/Pages/information.aspx

3. http://www.citizenscampaign.org/campaigns/hydro-fracking.asp