Hydraulic fracturing has faced a great deal of criticism. In most cases, the criticism is due to the already existing shortage of clean water on earth. While some companies like GasFrac Canada are now using alternative frac waters, others need to do so. Although, excessive water use is not the only issue, drilling deep into the rock formation of earth has proved to be the cause of man-made earthquakes in different areas including, Texas and Oklahoma.
Regardless of these concerns, GasFrac has made progress by using petroleum based liquids which can be injected into the earth instead of using water based chemical cocktails. In the process, a great deal of risk with regards to water table contamination is eliminated. While this is the case, the issue of man-made seismic activity still needs to be addressed.
Proponents of water-free fracking believe the process is a solution to the most common concerns related to the fracking process. While this is the case, it is important to look at the benefits versus draw backs. For, if water-free fracturing can help save one of the most precious resources on earth, there are a number of individuals whom wonder why more companies are not currently using the process.
An answer might be found in the way in which traditional fracking works. For, while different liquids, the process is basically the same. One other difference is that waterless fracking starts by drilling a well while traditional fracking operations dig deep into the bottom of existing wells to acquire natural oil and gas. Whereas, once a new well has been drilled, the well is drilled horizontally.
A well once complete, is then injected with propane or other chemicals by a carrier. The carrier fractures the base rock formation which allows oil and gas to escape to the surface. While GasFrac uses propane as a liquid, there are other alternatives, though propane does appear to be the most popular substitute for water.
The benefits in using propane all result from the chemical aspects of propane compared to that of water. Such benefits include that fracking operations are more effective when using propane because of the reversal of liquid propane to a gas form. As a result of the pressure and heat in the well, oil and gas flow more freely back to the surface, thus eliminating blockages which often occur when water becomes trapped below the surface.
Water-free fracking also helps to prevent pollutants from escaping to the surface. For, when a liquid version of propane vaporizes, the pollutants are left in the well. Whereas, operations which use water tend to carry these pollutants back to the surface, including chemicals used in the process and heavy metals which are a natural aspect of the rock formations which have been disturbed.
One of the biggest benefits in using liquid propane is that once used, the substance can be recycled or sold for profit. Whereas, when companies consider the cost associated with disposing polluted frac water, waterless fracking can often be a better option. While the benefits of water-free fracking have the potential to save valuable resources, the process is also much cleaner, safer and a better operation for all involved.
Regardless of these concerns, GasFrac has made progress by using petroleum based liquids which can be injected into the earth instead of using water based chemical cocktails. In the process, a great deal of risk with regards to water table contamination is eliminated. While this is the case, the issue of man-made seismic activity still needs to be addressed.
Proponents of water-free fracking believe the process is a solution to the most common concerns related to the fracking process. While this is the case, it is important to look at the benefits versus draw backs. For, if water-free fracturing can help save one of the most precious resources on earth, there are a number of individuals whom wonder why more companies are not currently using the process.
An answer might be found in the way in which traditional fracking works. For, while different liquids, the process is basically the same. One other difference is that waterless fracking starts by drilling a well while traditional fracking operations dig deep into the bottom of existing wells to acquire natural oil and gas. Whereas, once a new well has been drilled, the well is drilled horizontally.
A well once complete, is then injected with propane or other chemicals by a carrier. The carrier fractures the base rock formation which allows oil and gas to escape to the surface. While GasFrac uses propane as a liquid, there are other alternatives, though propane does appear to be the most popular substitute for water.
The benefits in using propane all result from the chemical aspects of propane compared to that of water. Such benefits include that fracking operations are more effective when using propane because of the reversal of liquid propane to a gas form. As a result of the pressure and heat in the well, oil and gas flow more freely back to the surface, thus eliminating blockages which often occur when water becomes trapped below the surface.
Water-free fracking also helps to prevent pollutants from escaping to the surface. For, when a liquid version of propane vaporizes, the pollutants are left in the well. Whereas, operations which use water tend to carry these pollutants back to the surface, including chemicals used in the process and heavy metals which are a natural aspect of the rock formations which have been disturbed.
One of the biggest benefits in using liquid propane is that once used, the substance can be recycled or sold for profit. Whereas, when companies consider the cost associated with disposing polluted frac water, waterless fracking can often be a better option. While the benefits of water-free fracking have the potential to save valuable resources, the process is also much cleaner, safer and a better operation for all involved.
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