Minggu, 20 Agustus 2017

Seawater Frac Use And Basic Information For The Process

By Sarah Barnes


Hydraulic fracturing is a technique in well stimulation which the rock is fractured with a pressurized liquid. The procedure involves high pressured injection of a fracking fluid in to a wellbore for creating cracks in deep rock formations in where brine, natural gas, and petroleum will freely flow more. When the pressure is removed, the fractures are held open by the small grains of proppants.

Groundwater is usually used for fracking fluid which is usually a problem because these could be used instead for drinking that is becoming scarce. That is why engineers, researchers and scientists are developing seawater frac as its replacement. This would enable them to have more resources available which are usable for their needs instead of relying on their current sources only.

Hydraulic fracturing had been around for seventy years or more now with millions of wells being fracked worldwide. Operators must get permits that regulators approved before they can drill wells that relates to its spacing, abandonment, location, operation and design. Environmental permits are needed also such as waste and water management and disposal.

Fracking occurs after that well has been completely constructed and they confirmed its integrity but not during the drilling process. Among the most crucial objectives is protecting and isolating groundwater zones by creating and designing wells that has barriers of cement and steel casing. When thrilling through the zones, freshwater or air based fluids are used for preventing contamination.

They would not impact aquifers when performed properly and safely but the fractures created do not extend into them. These fractures have been measured to determine their reach and their highest points are still far from the deepest aquifers. Recent studies also did not find connection between fracking and groundwater contamination that are substantiated.

Fracking fluid is composed usually of sand, water, and chemical additives that depends on that well it will be used on. The elements that comprised them are found inside consumer products like deodorant, cosmetics, toothpaste, table salt substitutes, household cleaners and ice cream. When properly handled and appropriately used, these are safe chemicals.

These fluids are made specifically for the needs of each environment and factors like temperature, pressure, reservoir fluid composition, permeability, rock strength and mineralogy are addressed. Some companies would disclose what chemical ingredients they use to inform the public about it. This also protect the proprietary industry information and others even participate in national registry for chemical disclosure.

A significant amount of water is required for fracking operations just like any other manufacturing processes for products, food and services we need every day. This can be obtained from treated wastewater, municipal suppliers, groundwater and other sources available. Operators are usually encouraged to use those not suitable for agriculture or human consumption whenever possible.

This procedure triggers seismic events rarely felt above on the surface of the earth because of their deepness. They release energy usually which will be equivalent with magnitude minus two in Richter scale and can not be detected upon the surface. For comparison, the rumbling of eighteen wheeler trucks that passes feels like a magnitude plus three.




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