Composition of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids
Hydraulic fracturing is essential to the production of natural gas from the Marcellus shale. Known as “fracing”, the process opens up fissures in the rock that holds the natural gas. Fracturing fluids are injected under controlled high pressure to break open the rock formation, and expand and hold open the fractures, allowing the gas to flow to the well head. Fracturing fluids are comprised of greater than 99.5 percent water and sand with less than 0.5 percent other chemicals.
Talisman Energy USA uses hydraulic fracturing, in accordance with Pennsylvania State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations, with water recycled from its operations and from fresh water sources.
These fracturing fluids include water which creates a network of fractures and carries sand into the fractures. Sand is used as a proppant that is used to hold the fracture open when the pressure decreases. A friction reducer reduces the amount of friction in the pumping water, allowing us to pump the rate required to initiate the proper fracture size. A scale inhibitor prevents mineral buildup from the water that will be produced from the well. A biocide kills any bacteria collected in the water prior to pumping. A mild acid prepares the stimulated area to accept the fracing treatment.
A portion of the water used in the wells flows back to the surfaces after fracturing. New technologies are allowing Talisman USA to recycle practically all of the flow back water which reduces the need for water withdrawals from streams and rivers.
Talisman Energy USA believes that fracing is safe and is voluntarily providing the composition of each hydraulic fracturing fluid used at our wells. We are providing this information, by well location, that includes chemical classifications, volumes, chemical concentrations and MSDS information used by our fracing contractors.
We believe this information will increase our transparency with our stakeholders and others. Marcellus Shale is an important resource that we can produce responsibly and safely to fuel the future of all Pennsylvanians.
To view typical Marcellus fracturing treatment, click here.
To view typical Marcellus fracturing treatment, click here.
To search a well that was drilled after March 2011, please visit fracfocus.org. All wells prior to March 2011 can be searched below.
To search for the fluid composition used in a particular well use the search terms below. For well name, please enter just the name portion. For example, for "Smith 01-01-01" just enter "Smith" and all Smith wells will be displayed.
