DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCES-

DURHAM UNIVERSITY
Prof. Fred Worrall: Fred.Worrall@durham.ac.uk
Prof. Richard Davies (University of Newcastle)

The impact of shale gas exploration on the target shale

1. Background
The development of shale gas resources requires
the hydrofracturing of shale source layers with
high pressure water-based fluids. The fluids contain a mixture of components not only including
sand as a proppant but also can contain a range or
organic and inorganic compounds that could bind
to or dissolve the shale layer that the exploration
is targeting. Concerns have been raised that the
fluids used to hydrofracture shale will cause pollution as fracking fluids left behind will leak into surrounding aquifers, but no research has been conducted into the impact these potentially aggressive fluids may have on the target shale layers. For
example, the impact of these fracking fluids could
lead to the development of secondary porosity or
the expansion of clay minerals. The UK has a developing shale gas industry and so it especially
timely that we understand how these fluids interact with the shale layers they are targeting.

copy and x-ray diffraction. The project will target

the Carboniferous shale group (Bowland shale)
from the two locations where shale gas extraction
is likely to start Lancashire and the Vale of Pickering.

2. Aims and methods

4. Training

The aim of this project is to understand the impact

of fracking fluids upon the shale rocks they are targeting. The objectives of the project are to:
react gas-bearing shales with synthetic fracking
fluids;
measure the changes in composition and texture
of the shales;
assess the impact of fracking fluids on the target
shale; and
recommend changes to optimise fracking fluid
composition.

The project provides excellent training in laboratory, and modelling techniques in a subject that is
placed within an important regulatory framework.
The student will join a large research group active in
understanding the environmental impacts of hydrocarbon exploitation. With the likely rapid expansion
of shale exploitation across the globe there will be a
need for professionals trained in the development
of these resources.

3. Scientific approach
We in Durham are uniquely placed to solve the
outstanding issues in the assessment of the impact of fracking fluids on shales. The Dept. of
Earth Sciences has three high pressure reaction
vessels. These vessels are capable of reacting rock
samples at temperatures and pressures similar to
those expected in the shale layers with a range of
water compositions. The department then has a
range of instruments capable of analysing and assessing the change in properties of the reacted
shales. The techniques we can use include: thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microsMScR STUDENTSHIP PROPOSAL 2016

Figure 1. Example of shale gas exploration Cuadrillas operation at Presse Hall, Lancashire.

5. Duration, costs and funding

The project is 12 months duration, starting October
2016. Supervisors will pay fieldwork and other research expenses. The student will pay tuition fees
(4,121 for UK/EU residents) and living costs. The
student may be eligible for a UK Government
backed
career
development
loans
(https://www.dur.ac.uk/postgraduate/finance/loan
s/).

http://www.dur.ac.uk/earth.sciences/postgraduate/