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FrackingCOLE HESS

CBE 555

PROFESSOR: THATCHER ROOT

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Outline

oSurvey & Introduction to Fracking

oFracking Fluid

oEnvironmental Impacts

oNatural Gas/Benefits

oRegulations

oSummary

oQuestions

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Public View of Fracking

Opposed Supported

Egalitarian World Views

Conservative

Older Generations

Female Gender

Education

20% 22% 58% =?

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Public View of Fracking

Opposed Supported

Egalitarian World Views X

Conservative X

Older Generations X

Female Gender X

Education X

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What is Fracking?Hydraulic Fracturing: Process of extracting Natural gas from shale formations by using a pressurized drilling technique

1) Inject fracking fluid into horizontal well to fracture rock

2) Extract the natural gas released from the formation

3) Dispose or treat the produced water that was used

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY34PQUiwOQwww.huffingtonpost.com

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Fracking Fluid

Additives Chemical composition Purpose %

Water H2O Main carrier (base carrier fluid) 90.8

SandWater and crystalline silica

(quartz) Propping agent use to hold open fractures 8.5

Acids Hydrochloric acid, acetic acid Clean and help dissolve minerals and initiate cracks 0.15

Clay stabilizers

Choline chloride, tetramethylammonium

chloride Prevent swelling of clays found in shale 0.12

Scale inhibitorsCarboxylic acids and acrylic

acid polymers Prevent formation of scale (mineral) deposits in pipe 0.09

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Fracking Fluid

SurfactantsAmido-amines, quaternary amines, phosphate esters

Friction reducers Polyacrylamide

Breakers NaCl and KCl

Biocides

Gluteraldehyde, DBNPA, quaternary ammonium

compounds

Gels Guar gum

pH adjusting agentsSodium or potassium

carbonate

Crosslinkers Borate salts

Iron control Citric acid

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Environmental Impact The primary environmental concern is ground water pollution.

Can measure CH4 and higher-chain hydrocarbonso Biologically Derived more negative than -64‰o Deeper Thermogenic less negative than -50 ‰

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Seismic Activity

Frequency vs. magnitude for 198 published examples of induced seismicity. The many examples of induced seismicity that are not published are not included on

UK - 2.3 Magnitude

Canada - 3.8 Magnitude

Oklahoma - 2.8 Magnitude

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Induced seismicity caused by hydraulic fracturing

Vertical stress

Normal stress

Horizontal stress

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Environmental ImpactWater usage

2-5 million gallons per well – concern in dry regions

Flowback water mixes with Produced Water

Chemicals – toxic, carcinogenic, or mutagenic

Recovery

Chemicals in ground – salts, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, radioactive materials

Flow back – large tanks or open pits, recycled or disposed

Atmospheric pollution

leaks from shale gas well

Large number of trucks

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Natural Gas Composition

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Natural Gas ReservesCountry Proven Natural Gas Reserve (Trillion cubic feet- Tcf)

Russia 1,688

Iran 1,187

Qatar 885.3

Turkmenistan 353.10

United States 334.07

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Natural Gas Estimates

U.S. ~ 2,400 Tcf ◦ as estimated in 2013 by the Potential Gas committee (PGC)

Current annual usage ~ 24 Tcf ◦ Roughly 100yr supply of natural gas

Advancement in Technology could vastly increase recovery◦ At least 1000yr supply of natural gas in the U.S. that is unrecoverable

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Benefits of Natural Gas/FrackingLower CO2 emissions that Oil and Coal

Emissions: 1 g CO2 Gas = 1.4 g Oil; or 1.78g Coal

Efficient energy usage: 90% of gas is useful energyComparatively: 30% energy converted to electricity reaches customers

Has many uses Used to make fertilizer and methaneUsed for cleaner diesel fuelUsed to generate electric power

Domestically ProducedMore JobsSecurity from foreign affairs

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Regulations on Fracking Federal

◦ EPA administers the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) has no authority for Fracking◦ Energy Policy Act 2005 exempted underground injection related to oil, gas, or geothermal activities◦ Obama administration just unveiled nation’s first major federal regulations on hydraulic fracturing

State◦ Regulate to protect state’s water supplies ◦ Wyoming: Require companies to identify water-supply wells, demonstrate wellbore integrity, and report

chemical use to the Oil and Gas Conservation

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Summary

Fracking opens up a vast storage of Natural Gas

Can allow for energy independence

Uses large amounts of water adds pollutants

Seismic activity – full effects unknown

Newer regulations

New technologies

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Questions or Comments?

http://www.sodahead.com/living/is-it-weird-that-i-like-my-bathroom-more-than-my-room/question-3777560/