Hydraulic Fracturing
Abraham Wilson
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
Description and Analysis
Hydraulic fracturing is a process within the mining and drilling industries used to increase the output of an underground fluid. Fracturing is used to access or augment productivity in petroleum, water and natural gas. The actual process is accomplished deep underground when a pressurized fluid is ejected from underground piping into the surrounding rock formations. The pressure of the fluid creates a crack in the rock which continues to expand as the pressure is applied. Solid additives in the pressurized fluid prevent the rupture from resealing once the pressure is alleviated. Sand and ceramics are commonly used as additives because their porous nature also allows the desired resource to travel to the piping. The increase in the size and number of underground networks due to the fracturing allows greater fluid output. In some instances the retrieval of an underground fluid would not be possible without the use of hydraulic fracturing. Shale reserves, located about 5,000 feet underground, suffer an exceptionally low permeability rate. Permeability is the measure of how well a fluid flows through a porous material. At that depth, and within such nonporous rock, the ability of fluids to travel to the well is greatly limited. Fracturing increases the area of the fluid that is exposed to porous materials and thus greatly increases production. The method of fracturing utilizes a few key components which allow for an economical extraction of resources.
The fracturing process applied in a horizontal well through shale.
Simplified Steps in Fracking (n.d) Retrieved from: http://www.hydraulicfracturing.com/Process/Pages/information.aspx
Components of Hydraulic Fracturing
The entire fracturing operation takes places near the well site that connects the underground resource. The drill hole turns horizontal once it reaches the depth of the resource so as to increase the area of the well exposed to the
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
Description and Analysis
Hydraulic fracturing is a process within the mining and drilling industries used to increase the output of an underground fluid. Fracturing is used to access or augment productivity in petroleum, water and natural gas. The actual process is accomplished deep underground when a pressurized fluid is ejected from underground piping into the surrounding rock formations. The pressure of the fluid creates a crack in the rock which continues to expand as the pressure is applied. Solid additives in the pressurized fluid prevent the rupture from resealing once the pressure is alleviated. Sand and ceramics are commonly used as additives because their porous nature also allows the desired resource to travel to the piping. The increase in the size and number of underground networks due to the fracturing allows greater fluid output. In some instances the retrieval of an underground fluid would not be possible without the use of hydraulic fracturing. Shale reserves, located about 5,000 feet underground, suffer an exceptionally low permeability rate. Permeability is the measure of how well a fluid flows through a porous material. At that depth, and within such nonporous rock, the ability of fluids to travel to the well is greatly limited. Fracturing increases the area of the fluid that is exposed to porous materials and thus greatly increases production. The method of fracturing utilizes a few key components which allow for an economical extraction of resources.
The fracturing process applied in a horizontal well through shale.
Simplified Steps in Fracking (n.d) Retrieved from: http://www.hydraulicfracturing.com/Process/Pages/information.aspx
Components of Hydraulic Fracturing
The entire fracturing operation takes places near the well site that connects the underground resource. The drill hole turns horizontal once it reaches the depth of the resource so as to increase the area of the well exposed to the
Bibliography: Bauers, S. (2011, May 19). Duke Study Finds Methane Gas Near Well Water Sites. The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved from http://www.philly.com/philly/news/121515559.html?c=r Fracturing Ingredients (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.hydraulicfracturing.com/Fracturing-Ingredients/Pages/information.aspx Montgomery, C.T. & Smith, M.B. (2010). Hydraulic Fracturing: History of an Enduring Technology. Journal of Petroleum Technology. Retrieved from http://frack.mixplex.com/content/hydraulic-fracturing-history-enduring-technology New York Department of Environmental Conservation. (2010). Materials and Minerals. In Natural Gas Development Activities and High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing. Retrieved from: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_minerals_pdf/ogdsgeischap5.pdf United States Geological Survey. (2009). Earthquakes, Faults, Plate Tectonics, Earth Structure. In Can We Cause Earthquakes?. Retrieved from http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/faq/?categoryID=1&faqID=1Q: