Professional Documents
Culture Documents
July 2014
For the latest report, please visit www.api.org/hydraulicfracturing
Table of Contents
What is Fracking?
Energy and Opportunity....................................................................................Page 1
Shale Plays in the Lower 48 States...................................................................Page 2
Securing Our Energy.........................................................................................Page 3
Jobs and the Economy.....................................................................................Page 4
What They Are Saying.......................................................................................Page 5
Process, Safety, and the Environment
Drilling................................................................................................................Page 7
Stimulation.........................................................................................................Page 8
State Regulation................................................................................................Page 9
Federal Regulation.............................................................................................Page 10
Industry Standards, Federal Regulation.............................................................Page 11
Water Protection................................................................................................Page 12
Water Usage......................................................................................................Page 13
Water Treatment Technologies...........................................................................Page 14
Air Emissions.....................................................................................................Page 15
Hydraulic Fracturing and Seismic Activity..........................................................Page 16
Innovations Promote Safe & Environmentally Friendly Practices........................Page 17
Resources.........................................................................................................Page 18
Hydraulic Fracturing:
Unlocking Americas Natural Gas Resources | July 2014
Title
What is Fracking?
Hydraulic Fracturing:
Unlocking Americas Natural Gas Resources | April 2014
Energy and Opportunity
This change is driven by production from unconventional reserves using fracking and horizontal drilling.
10
0.5
5
0.0 0
2007 2009 2011 2013 2007 2009 2011 2013
Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling are safely The story of natural gas produced using hydraulic
unlocking vast U.S. reserves of oil and natural gas found fracturing is equally dramatic. The U.S. energy outlook
in shale and other tight-rock formations. Developing has changed from one of having to import natural gas
energy from shale is an advanced process that uses the to having ample supply to both meet domestic needs
latest drilling technologies and equipment. As for what and export gas to friendly nations around the world. A
fracking means to the United States the answers are little more than a decade ago natural gas production
security, economic growth and jobs, jobs, jobs. from shale accounted for 2 percent of total U.S. output.
Today that figure is 37 percent, and an IHS study
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) details projects that natural gas developed through the use of
how surging domestic oil production is narrowing net hydraulic fracturing will rise to more than 75 percent of
petroleum imports from 60 percent of what the United the domestic supply by 2035.
States used in 2004 to 38 percent in 2013. This change
is driven by production from unconventional reserves
using fracking and horizontal drilling.
Unlocking shale gas now guarantees the U.S. more than a 100-year supply of clean-burning natural gas.
Shale Gas Plays, Lower 48 States
Niobrara
Montana
Thrust Belt
Bakken
Heath Devonian (Ohio)
Williston Basin
Marcellus
Cody Gammon Utica
Big Horn Powder
Basin River Basin
Hilliard-Bax- Mowry Michigan Basin
ter- Antrim
Mancos Appalachian
Basin
Greater Green
River Basin Niobrara Forest City
Basin
Mancos
Denver Basin Illinois
Uinta Basin Piceance Basin
Manning Basin
San Joaquin
Basin Canyon Excel-
Pierre lo-Mulky New
Monte- Hermosa Cherokee Albany
rey-Tembros Paradox Basin Raton Basin Platform
Monterey Lewis Woodford
Santa Maria, San Juan Fayetteville
Ventura, Basin Anadarko Basin Chattanooga
Los Angeles Arkoma Basin
Basins Bend Ardmore
Wood- Black Warrior
Avalon Bone Palo Duro Basin
Basin
Spring Basin ford-Caney Conasauga
Floyd-N Valley and Ridge
Barnett Province
Permian eal
Basin Ft. Worth Texas-Louisiana-
Bar- Marfa Basin Mississippi Salt
nett-Wood- Basin Haynes- Basin
ville-Bossier
Source: Energy Information Administration based on data from various published studies. Updated: May 28, 2009.
Hydraulic fracturing has been used in the oil and natural The U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA) reports that
gas industry since the 1940s, producing more than 600 over 750 trillion cubic feet of technically recoverable
trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 7 billion barrels of oil. shale gas and 24 billion barrels of technically recoverable
Used with modern horizontal drilling technology, fracking shale oil resources currently exist in discovered shale
has unlocked vast U.S. shale reserves, launching a plays. Responsibly developing these resources creates
renaissance in oil and natural gas production, creating jobs and fuels our economy. And the key to unlocking
tens of thousands of jobs and generating economic these resources is through the process of hydraulic
growth. Without these advanced technologies, we would fracturing, also known as fracking.
lose 45 percent of domestic natural gas production and
17 percent of our oil production within five years.
EIA Annual Energy Outlooks 20102013 EIA International Energy Outlook 2013
10 25
Natural Gas
8
20 Production
(million barrels per day)
6
15
tcf
4 10
2
5
0 0
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 United Russia Iran Qatar Canada China Saudi
States Arabia
U.S. Crude Net Imports U.S. Crude Production
Because of Fracking:
Energy Revolution #1 In 2013, the U.S. became the worlds largest producer of oil and natural gas $1.6 trillion increase in revenues to federal, state and local governments
from 2012-20252
2010 The U.S. became the worlds largest natural gas producer.1
2015 The U.S. projected to pass Saudi Arabia as the largest oil producer.1 More money for schools, roads, police and parks.
How Fracking has Transformed
the U.S. Into an Energy Superpower
More Money in Your Pocket Trade Deficit is Lower
$1,200 more per home in 2012 2
$180 billion reduction in trade deficit by 20222
$3,500 more per home in 20252 Less imports = lower trade deficit.
The economic lift from fracking is being felt strongly What is hydraulic fracturing? Its energy and
in the U.S. manufacturing sector and will continue, opportunity for better lives and a stronger, more
according to IHS. It estimates that between now and energy-secure country. It is largely responsible for
2025, one out of every eight U.S. jobs supported by changing Americas energy narrative from one of limited
unconventional oil and natural gas development will options to one of nearly limitless plenty. David Garman,
be in manufacturing. Labor income a measure that former energy undersecretary (2001-2005) at a natural
includes earnings and employer-provided benefits gas forum hosted by the Bipartisan Policy Center said:
from unconventional oil and natural gas is projected to
surpass $278 billion by 2025 (from $149 billion in 2012).
Job creation in the energy-related chemicals sector is
projected to increase from about 53,000 last year to We are in the midst of a great policy reset. Our
energy policy heretofore had been based on scarcity is
149,000 in 2015 and almost 319,000 in 2025. Hydraulic now confronting a tremendous abundance. The shale
fracturing means individual opportunity for prosperity
and overall economic growth.
gas boom is a cause for a tremendous celebration.
Bipartisan Policy Center
With the right policies, strong industry standards and
effective state oversight the celebration can continue as
we safely and responsibly build on the ongoing shale
energy revolution.
Hydraulic Fracturing:
Unlocking Americas Natural Gas Resources | April 2014
Drilling
There are zero confirmed cases of groundwater contamination connected to the fracturing
operation in one million wells hydraulically fractured over the last 60 years.
5
another means to protect groundwater supplies. Backflow
preventers are essentially one-way valves that only allow storage tanks to hold the waste water, drilling mud and
rock fragments that are produced during drilling and well
liquids to flow in one direction. They eliminate the
completion.
threat of contaminated water from a gas well flowing into
water wells used to supply drilling operations. The lining of the impoundments is sealed and monitored to
provide an impermeable barrier between waste water and top
soil. After the well is completed and producing gas, the contents
of these impoundments are removed for proper disposal and
industrial
water well
the site is reclaimed.
water can only flow
in one direction Storage tanks provide an alternative to waste water
impoundments that allow companies to separate solids and
liquids on site and streamline water recycling
operations and proper waste disposal.
Water recycling,
6 reuse & waste
1,000ft
1 TTodays gas wells have redundant layers of cemented steel piping, called
CASING, production and the environment.
to provide a shield between gas productio
disposal
Natural gas wells produce waste water as well
as natural gas. Waste water is collected at the
A typical gas well is constructed with three million pounds of surface and recycled for future use, or
carefully disposed of according to regulations
STEEL and
C E M E N T. under the Clean Water Act and the Safe
Drinking Water Act.
2,000ft
In fact, operators of the Marcellus shale
recently told the U.S. EPA that they would recycle
90% or more of the waste water that
steel piping layered comes from gas wells.
with cement
Each layer of steel casing is cemented into place to create a seal that is air This water can be used to provide the water
tight. Drillers monitor the pressure in the wells to ensure the integrity needed for hydraulic fracturing in new wells or it
3,000ft of the seals. Marcellus formation can be further refined and returned to the water
Cap rock supply.
Cap rock
4,000ft
2
Hydraulic Fracturing
Hydraulic fracturing is used to release gas trapped in rock pores that are
3 Because hydraulic fracturing typically takes
place a mile or more below the
sometimes 20,000 times thinner than a human hair. surface, underground water supplies and
Hydraulic fracturing fluid is forced down gas wells at high pressure to crack fracturing operations are separated by
the rock and provide a pathway for the gas to escape into thousands of feet of
5,000ft
the well and rise to the surface for collection.
impermeable rock . Hydraulic
fracturing fluid and natural gas cannot
Fracturing fluid is made up from 90% water,
migrate through it.
9.5% sand and .5% chemicals. These
chemicals are largely found in common
household products like cosmetics and DETERGENT
This fluid is collected at the surface for proper
cleaning supplies.
disposal. See how above.
6,000ft
Developing energy from shale (and other tight-rock which oil or natural gas is to be produced, further
formations) using hydraulic fracturing/horizontal drilling protecting groundwater from the producing formations
takes four to eight weeks from preparing the site for in the well. There have been no confirmed cases of
development to production itself after which the well groundwater contamination from hydraulic fracturing
can be in production for 20 to 40 years. A well can itself in 1 million wells fracked over the past 60 years.
be a mile or more deep and thousands of feet below Numerous protective measures are in place at well sites,
groundwater zones before gradually turning horizontal including liners under well pads, rubber composite mats
from vertical. The horizontal portion then can stretch under rigs, storage tanks with secondary containment
more than 6,000 feet. A single well site (or pad) can measures, and barriers to control any potential runoff.
accommodate a number of wells.
The fracturing mixture consists primarily of fresh water mixed with some sand and a small proportion
of common chemicals.
Table salt Laundry detergent Thickener in cosmetics Washing soda, detergent, soap Food additive Deodorant
Sodium Chloride Allows a delayed breakdown of the gel polymer chains Table salt
Polyacrylamide Minimizes the friction between fluid and pipe Water treatment, soil conditioner
Ethylene Glycol Prevents scale deposits in the pipe Automotive anti-freeze, deicing agent, household cleaners
Borate Salts Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases Laundry detergent, hand soap, cosmetics
Maintains effectiveness of other components, Washing soda, detergent, soap, water softener,
Sodium/Potassium Carbonate
such as crosslinkers glass, ceramics
Glutaraldehyde Eliminates bacteria in the water Disinfectant, sterilization of medical and dental equipment
Citric Acid Prevents precipitation of metal oxides Additive in food and beverages
Isopropanol Used to increase the viscosity of the fracture fluid Glass cleaner, antiperspirant, hair coloring
Source: DOE, GWPC: Modern Gas Shale Development in the United States: A Primer (2009).
After the wells on a pad are drilled, cased and (0.5 percent) is pumped into the well under high
cemented, a device perforates the horizontal part of pressure to create micro-fractures in the shale and
the production pipe to make small holes in the casing, free natural gas or oil. Sand keeps the fractures open
exposing the wellbore to the shale. Then a mixture of after the pressure is released. The chemicals are chiefly
water (90 percent), sand (9.5 percent) and chemicals agents to reduce friction and prevent corrosion.
For example, the following are just some of the permits required in Pennsylvania:
Well drilling permit (w/ well location plat, casing and cementing plan, PNDI for threatened or endangered species, landowner/water well owner notifications,
1 coal owner or operator notification and gas storage field owner notification)
CWA: Clean Water Act OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration SDWA: Safe Drinking Water Act EPRCA: Community Right to Know Act
Source http://energyindepth.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/Federal-Hydraulic-Fracturing-Process.pdf
Federal regulations provide a broad regulatory Environmental Policy Act; Resource Conservation and
foundation for energy development in the United States, Recovery Act; Emergency Planning and Community
including hydraulic fracturing. Key federal regulations Right to Know Act; Endangered Species Act and the
governing shale development include: Clean Water Occupational Safety and Health Act.
Act; Clean Air Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; National
Existing regulations covering well design requirements and hydraulic fracturing operations
are specifically formulated to protect groundwater.
Source: http://www.api.org/policy-and-issues/policy-items/hf/shale-answers
Working through APIs standards program, accredited works closely with STRONGER, a non-profit organization
by the American National Standards Institute, accredited that helps states formulate environmental regulations
standards program, the industry has adopted standards associated with oil and natural gas development. The
and practices for continuous improvement, hundreds FracFocus.org chemical disclosure registry provides
of which are referenced in state regulations thousands information on hydraulic fracturing fluid used in nearly
of times. Several federal agencies, including the 56,000 wells. Industry activity is subject to a number of
Environmental Protection Agency, the Bureau of Land federal and state laws including the Safe Drinking Water
Management and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and the
Administration, also cite API standards. Industry also National Environmental Policy Act.
Source: http://www.api.org/~/media/Files/Policy/Exploration/HYDRAULIC_FRACT_ILLUSTRATION_121609.pdf
The key to protecting groundwater is proper well Alternating layers of cement and steel casings are
construction, and industry has developed detailed designed to ensure well integrity as is passes through
standards for this based on field experience and groundwater levels thousands of feet down to the
significant advances in drilling and construction energy-holding layers of rock.
techniques. A typical natural gas well uses 3 million
pounds of steel and cement. Each layer of steel casing
is cemented in place to create an air-tight seal.
PENNSYLVANIA
Annual Water Usage Example
SITE LEVEL
The amount of water used durin hydraulic
fracturing for one well is typically the equivalent
of the volume of three to six Olympic sized
swimming pools
Industry is mindful of the amount of water needed is small relative to the water needed for livestock (61.8
for hydraulic fracturing, which is why a number of million gallons/day) and irrigation (24.3 million gallons/
companies are working on new technologies that day). Its also less than the 4 million gallons of water the
reduce needed volumes as well as ways to fracture average U.S. golf course uses per summer month.
wells without water. Some perspective is helpful. In
Pennsylvania, for example, all shale energy development
across the state uses 1.9 million gallons per day, which
3. Nano-filtration
Sources: http://www.apachecorp.com/index.aspx
The development of advanced hydraulic fracturing and the Marcellus shale play, 90 percent of the more than
horizontal drilling has been accompanied by safe and 14 million barrels of produced fluids from fracturing
responsible water management strategies employing was reused. That represents a significant savings in the
innovative technologies to allow reuse of fluids produced amount of new water needed for hydraulic fracturing
during the fracturing phase of well development. elsewhere. It illustrates industrys focus on environmental
According to the Penn State Marcellus Center for issues and efforts to reduce energy developments
Outreach and Research, during the first half of 2013 in impacts on resources and communities.
Methane Leakage
8%
8% (long term climate benefits)
7%
6%
5%
4%
3% (short term climate benefits)
3%
2%
1%
0%
Source: IEA, U.S. EPA, ExxonMobil and WRI. All leakage rates, except ExxonMobils are based on estimates and empirical; Exxons leakage rates include actual measured data from
some production and gathering operations in the Marcellus; EPA estimates are computed based on gross production reported from the EIA.Aboutnaturalgas.com
Thanks to increased use of natural gas, U.S. under 2 percent. This is less than the 3 percent cited as
energy-related emissions of CO2 are at their lowest necessary for immediate climate benefits for the use of
point in two decades. At the same time, industry natural gas in power plants and well under the 8 percent
is developing and implementing new technologies estimate cited for delivering long-term benefits as
to reduce methane released during production. By compared to coal. Industry measures are working, with
January 2015, for example, all new natural gas wells recent research showing that methane emissions from
are required to include green completions measures to natural gas production are 10 percent lower than the
reduce emissions. Additional new requirements also will most recent EPA estimates.
impact tanks, pneumatic devices, leak detection and
leak control. EPAs current inventory estimates show
the methane leakage rate for natural gas systems well
Sources: http://www.api.org/~/media/Files/Policy/Hydraulic_Fracturing/HF-and-
Seismic-Activity-Report-v2.pdf
PITLESS WATER
DRILLING SOUND SYSTEMS
CONTROL
Use of aboveground tanks Centralized water
for managing well fluids so management systems that
that there is limited danger Sound control and surface remove trucks from roads
of well fluids getting into management allows for safe drilling
groundwater in close proximity to people
DRILLING
SYSTEMS
1) Closed loop
drilling systems;
GREEN SOLAR
all drilling fluid
stored in steel FLUIDS PANELS
tanks Photovoltaic solar telemetry
Green frac fluids to transmit well date from
(Example: Environmentally benign remote locations to central
components) office (reduces use of
2) Whole site liners diesel fuels)
Americas shale energy revolution is built on innovation drilling area to closed-loop systems to maintain control
that produced advanced hydraulic fracturing and of drilling fluids. Safe operating practices and water
horizontal drilling technologies and techniques. And management are just two areas for which API has
that innovation continues, working on ways to make developed standards to protect the environment. The
fracking even safer for the surrounding environment. shale energy surge also is spurring innovation: waterless
Safe and responsible drilling means site management hydraulic fracturing fluid, methods to decontaminate and
from multi-layer surface liners that protect the entire recycle water used in fracking and more.
3 FracFocus: http://fracfocus.org/
4 STRONGER: http://www.strongerinc.org/