The Process of Hydraulic Fracturing

Notes from Hydraulic Fracturing Process

• Hydraulic Fracturing
• produces fractures in rock formations to stimulate flow of natural gas or oil
• increases volumes that can be recovered
• Process
• pump large quantities of fluids at high pressure down a wellbore into target rock formation
• commonly consists of
• water
• proppant (sand, ceramic pellets)
• chemical additives 
• Use
• internal pressure of rock formation causes fluid to return to surface through wellbore called flowback
• contains injected chemicals and other natural minerals, stored on site
• many times injected underground for disposal
• Used many times for "Unconventional" gas production
• relatively new technology
• Shale Gas extraction
• Shale rock formations important source
• present in many locations in the united states
• Tight Sands
• gas bearing fine grained sandstones or carbonates
• hydraulic fracturing is a required process here

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