The discovery of vast oil and gas resources within deep shale rock formations and the development of new techniques in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing techniques have changed the face of oil and gas exploration all over the globe. Oil companies Harrisburg PA, of which there are approximately ten, are no exception. The Marcellus Shale underlying half the western half of Pennsylvania and parts of northern Appalachia is one of the wealthiest gas fields in North America.
Two thirds of the continental United States are overlying massive shale gas and oil reserves. Gaining access to these resources as a result of advancing technologies means that the country can utilize the energy within for the next ninety years while greener forms of energy are being perfected. Hopefully by the 22nd century, biogas, wind, geothermal and other renewable sources of energy will take over from fossil fuels. As of now, shale gas is responsible for 35% of all of the country's gas production.
Now that the technological barriers of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling have been overcome, the next frontier is improving technologies in frac water management. The biggest environmental concerns associated with fracking, earthquakes and water contamination, are caused by the problems associated with the disposal of millions of gallons of frac water.
The hydraulic fracturing process begins with the delivery of millions of gallons of water to the drill site, where it is first transferred into a hydration unit. From the hydration unit, it is pumped into a blender where sand and a tiny amount of chemicals are added. Only then is it pumped into distribution manifolds and then deep underground, where it flows into fractures that have been blown into the rock.
The purpose of the sand in the water is to hold the fractures open so that the gas can rise to the earth's surface. The frac water, along with water already down inside the fractured rock also flows back to the surface. The portion of upwelled water that was not injected into the well is termed "production water." This can often exceed the volume of the water that was injected.
Depending on the size of the well, it can take anywhere from a few million to 60 million or more gallons of water to harvest the gas. Multiply that volume by tens of thousands of separate drill projects and you begin to understand the magnitude of the problem. The next technology, high volume frac water management, is the critical next step if these resources are going to be developed to their full potential.
One way of minimizing the volume of water to be carried off site is by placing it in rapid evaporation tanks at the drilling site. Water is sometimes transferred to frac water disposal wells. It is these disposal wells that are responsible for the earthquakes, and not, as is the public perception, the actual fracturing process. Contamination of public water supplies also comes from these wells.
Frac water management companies are working closely with oil companies to resolve these important water transfer and management issues. Development and perfection of frac water management technology is the next frontier to be conquered if we are to successfully access these reserves.
Two thirds of the continental United States are overlying massive shale gas and oil reserves. Gaining access to these resources as a result of advancing technologies means that the country can utilize the energy within for the next ninety years while greener forms of energy are being perfected. Hopefully by the 22nd century, biogas, wind, geothermal and other renewable sources of energy will take over from fossil fuels. As of now, shale gas is responsible for 35% of all of the country's gas production.
Now that the technological barriers of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling have been overcome, the next frontier is improving technologies in frac water management. The biggest environmental concerns associated with fracking, earthquakes and water contamination, are caused by the problems associated with the disposal of millions of gallons of frac water.
The hydraulic fracturing process begins with the delivery of millions of gallons of water to the drill site, where it is first transferred into a hydration unit. From the hydration unit, it is pumped into a blender where sand and a tiny amount of chemicals are added. Only then is it pumped into distribution manifolds and then deep underground, where it flows into fractures that have been blown into the rock.
The purpose of the sand in the water is to hold the fractures open so that the gas can rise to the earth's surface. The frac water, along with water already down inside the fractured rock also flows back to the surface. The portion of upwelled water that was not injected into the well is termed "production water." This can often exceed the volume of the water that was injected.
Depending on the size of the well, it can take anywhere from a few million to 60 million or more gallons of water to harvest the gas. Multiply that volume by tens of thousands of separate drill projects and you begin to understand the magnitude of the problem. The next technology, high volume frac water management, is the critical next step if these resources are going to be developed to their full potential.
One way of minimizing the volume of water to be carried off site is by placing it in rapid evaporation tanks at the drilling site. Water is sometimes transferred to frac water disposal wells. It is these disposal wells that are responsible for the earthquakes, and not, as is the public perception, the actual fracturing process. Contamination of public water supplies also comes from these wells.
Frac water management companies are working closely with oil companies to resolve these important water transfer and management issues. Development and perfection of frac water management technology is the next frontier to be conquered if we are to successfully access these reserves.
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