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On 22 February 2012, Alberta's Energy Resource Conservation Board offered members of the media a technical briefing, or background explainer, on hydraulic fracturing or "fracking." The briefing provided a basis for The Journal's story on Alberta's plans to make public information on fracking materials used at well sites: http://bit.ly/wMUSwO
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Cal Hill I February 2012
Hydraulic FracturingTechnical Briefing
The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB)
“A quasi-judicial, arms-lengthbody created by the AlbertaGovernment to ensure that thediscovery, development anddelivery of Alberta's energyresources take place in amanner that is fair, responsibleand in the public interest”
Statistics
Alberta regulates a world-scale resource infrastructure
12 plants
(32.2 106 tonne/yr)
5 facilities
(240 000 m3/d cap.)
61 In Situ
154 Primary Recovery
20 Experimental Proj.
8 Mines
Coal MinesUpgradersOil Sands
955 (292 sour)394 000 km176 211
Gas PlantsPipelinesProducing Wells
* as of January 2011
What is Hydraulic Fracturing?
Hydraulic fracturing is used to fracture a geological formation
Fracturing operations typically occur between 650 and 3500 metres below surface
The process allows oil or gas to flow
The ERCB has over 60 years experience regulating hydraulic fracturing
Why is it Used?
Hydraulic Fracturing Types
Vertical wells with fracture stimulation
Horizontal wells with multi-stage fracture stimulation
Horizontal Wells with Multi-stage Hydraulic Fracture Stimulation
In deep geological formations, horizontal, multi-stage fracturing operations are required to release resources
Vertical wells turn horizontally typically between 650 and 3500 metres below surface
Fractures occur within the horizontal section
Fracture Fluids
Fracturing fluids are pumped in the target formation under high pressure to force apart rock containing oil and/or gas
Three components offracture fluid1. Carrier: (eg. water)2. Proppant: (eg. sand)3. Additive: (eg. friction reducer)
Fracture Fluids
The ERCB does not currently mandate the disclosure of fracture fluids
Companies are required to provide fracture fluid information to the ERCB
ERCB requires useof non-toxic fracture fluids above the baseof groundwater protection
ERCB RegulationsExamples:
- Directive 8: Surface Casing Depth Requirements
- Directive 9: Casing Cementing Requirements
- Directive 20: Well Abandonment
- Directive 27: Shallow fracturing Operations-
Restricted Operations
- Directive 29: Energy and Utility Development
Applications and the Hearing Process
- Directive 31: Guidelines for the Energy Proceeding
Cost Claims
- Directive 35: Baseline Water Well Testing
- Directive 38: Noise Control
- Directive 44: Surveillance of Water Production
in Hydrocarbon Wells
- Directive 50: Drilling Waste Management
- Directive 51: Injection and Disposal Wells
- Directive 55: Storage Requirements
- Directive 56: Energy Development Applications
- Directive 58: Oilfield Waste Management
Requirements for the Upstream Petroleum Industry
- Directive 59: Well Drilling & Completion
Data Filing Requirements Visit www.ercb.ca
Hydraulic Fracturing and Groundwater Protection
ERCB regulations in place to protect Alberta’s water quality
Hydraulic fracturing restricted within 200 metres of water wells(ERCB Directive 27: Shallow fracturing Operations: Restricted Operations, ERCB Directive 35: Baseline Water Well Testing)
Well casing andcementing regulations(ERCB Directive 8: Surface Casing Depth Requirements, ERCB Directive 9: Casing Cementing Requirements)
Well Casing and Cementing
Industry is require to abide by strict well casing regulations
Specially designed cement along the entire length of the surface casing
A second steel casing is cemented fully if surface casing does not extendbelow base of groundwater protection
Casing and cement provide impenetrable barriers between fluids in the casing and any useable groundwater
Hydraulic Fracturing and Groundwater Protection
Regulations that govern the storage and disposal of waste fracture fluids(ERCB Directive 50: Drilling Waste Management, ERCB Directive 51: Injection and Disposal Wells, ERCB Directive 55: Storage Requirements, ERCB Directive 58: Oilfield Waste Management for the Upstream Petroleum Industry)
Fluid Storageand Treatment
Comprehensive ERCB requirements guide waste fracture fluid handling and disposal at surface
The ERCB strictly forbidsthe use of unlined storage pits as a means to store fluids at the surface
Fluids not recycled or reused must be re-injected and stored in deep rock formations, far below groundwater sources
Interwellbore Communication
On January 23, 2012, the ERCB issued Bulletin 2012-02: Hydraulic Fracturing: Interwellbore Communication between Energy Wells
The ERCB expects companies to maintain well control atall times
Companies are required to prevent adverse effects on offset wellbores
Interwellbore Communication
Four confirmed incidents with no impact on groundwater or domestic water wells
ERCB investigatingeach incident
Summary - HF
A completion technique designed to improve fluid flow through tight rock
Horizontal wells using multi-stage HF technology target formations hundreds to thousands of meters below useable groundwater
Direct contamination by fluids moving up fractures to groundwater has not been documented
Summary - HF
Effective wellbore construction requirements and practices necessary
Effective fluid handling and disposal requirements and practices necessary
