Technology for Safer Fracking is Coming!

I recently read an article about a new form of technology that is supposed to make fracking safer.  I am presenting it for discussion.  If you know of other safe methods, please share them.  Thanks:

Fracking with propane gel


15 November 2011

An alternative approach to hydraulic fracturing or fracking of shale rock to release tightly-stored natural gas that may be safer than conventional techniques is being tested across North America. However, gas producers trialing the method, which uses propane instead of water to break up the rock, are not revealing results data. This is holding back the widespread introduction of the method in the booming shale gas sector which is transforming the US energy and petrochemicals feedstocks sectors.

Shale gas production could also transform the outlook in Europe, Asia and Latin America where there are large reserves. But fears about the possible hazards of fracking would have to be resolved first.

Gasfrac Energy Services, a small Canadian company in Calgary, Alberta, has developed a technology for using gelled propane-based liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a substitute for water to carry the chemicals and sand needed to fracture the shale rock.

Fracking


© iStock

Huge amounts of water are used during fracking - as much as 8 million gallons in an average shale gas well. This chemical containing water then flows back to the surface with the potential to foul drinking water supplies and rivers.

Also, small earth tremors which have on occasion accompanied shale gas production in the US and recently in Blackpool, UK, during test drilling for shale gas have been blamed on the massive pressure exerted by the water in underground rock formations.

So far, tests of the LPG, made up of 90 per cent propane and a diester phosphoric acid gelling agent to give it sufficient viscosity to carry chemicals and sands, show that it is both safer and far more efficient than water. Instead of bringing the fracking chemicals to the surface it leaves them behind.

'This is a game changer for the industry,' says Don LeBlanc, principal consultant at Eastex Petroleum Consultants in Halifax, Nova Scotia, who has been involved in shale gas trials with gelled propane in New Brunswick, Canada.

'The main advantage of the gelled propane is that once the gel is broken the propane flashes and mixes with the gas,' he explains. 'Since the propane becomes part of the reservoir flow, the generated fracture is completely cleaned up, whereas in a water-based fracture stimulation, some of the water remains trapped in the fracture. In addition a water-based fracture has an efficiency of around 20 per cent, while propane has 100 per cent efficiency. '

Nonetheless, despite being used around 1000 times in Canada and the US since first being tested three years ago, little data on the application of the technology has been made publicly available. In such a highly competitive industry, producers do not want to disclose its potential benefits. 

One perceived drawback of fracking by propane-based LPG is that initially it can cost 20-40 per cent more than water fracking. 'In reality the costs are comparable when the life cost of the well is considered,' says Mr LeBlanc. 'Fracturing with water also yields an ongoing cost for water handling and water disposal. '

Sean Milmo

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Billy Park Whyde on January 23, 2012 at 7:39pm

Yes the oil and gas Industry announced they were going to require drug testing on all rig crews. Truck drivers have been under drug test for years already. Now if only they would require attorneys, judges and legislators to be drug tested to the the same level we might get some where.

Permalink Reply by Tanya Gabriele on January 23, 2012 at 10:39pm

Yes Billy.  There are lots of people who agree with you.  Thanks for your insite.

Permalink Reply by Billy Park Whyde on January 24, 2012 at 3:23am

Yeper Mark. With attorney having the responsibility to protect some one defense in a Murder trial, Oil & Gas Leases, Estates/Wills, Child Custody I myself think its in a position a bit higher than a truck driver in terms of public safety.

 

Permalink Reply by Howard Markert on January 24, 2012 at 5:29am

So you guys would support Bob Hagan's legislation to require all state office holders to undergo drug testing?

Permalink Reply by Mike h on January 24, 2012 at 3:18am

I note that Tanya has not indicated the soruce of the "article".

Permalink Reply by Finnbear on January 24, 2012 at 3:30am

What happens to the diester phosphoric acid gelling agent after the propane flashes out of it and what are the ramifications of that entering the water supply?

What is the source of this article?

Permalink Reply by Finnbear on January 24, 2012 at 7:19am

The propane is a VOC and leaves the gel as a gas again and mixes with the natural gas coming out of the well. What happens to the gelling agent that is left over? This process still uses chemicals and sand like traditional fracing. It still takes a huge volume of gelled propane downhole to fracture the formation along with frac chemicals that the fractivists screech about. The water is left out of the equation so there is not the volume of water to dispose of or recycle. Once the propane off-gasses from the gelling agent and chemicals, where do the gelling agent and chemicals go? As with traditional fracing, it should never be able to reach the water table. When a bad casing cement job occurs (this is how nearly every oil and gas related water contamination happens), and the well leaks into the water table, what are the ramifications of the gelling agent and chemicals getting into the water supply? As I understand it, the only thing changed from traditional fracing is the elimination of water disposal afterward.

Permalink Reply by Tanya Gabriele on January 26, 2012 at 3:16pm

That's good!  None of us need any more injection wells.  Good job Finnbear.

Permalink Reply by Tanya Gabriele on January 27, 2012 at 10:03pm

Yes Mark.  You are right.  However, if you dicover a technique that is better than the one presented for this discussion--please offer it.  This may seem--unrealistic--but I am hoping our State can embrace the O&G industry without experiencing the devastation land owners in other States are experiencing.  Choosing an oil company to drill in your back yard should be similar to buying a new furnance.  You research the brands that are out there and make sure the one you buy is both productive and safe.  You don't want to die in your sleep.  i really pray that the Oil Boom works for everyone.  Thanks for your contribution.  It's great.

Permalink Reply by dr j on January 24, 2012 at 5:48am

It seems to me for every problem it solves, it creates another to take it's place.   

More people have been killed on cruise ships than by fracking- directly or indirectly. 

Permalink Reply by Finnbear on January 24, 2012 at 7:20am

Ban cruise ships!

Permalink Reply by Tanya Gabriele on January 26, 2012 at 3:23pm

The key word you use is "seems."  There is no direct documentation in the US that covers the number of workers killed in the ) & G industry due to exposure of toxins or the number of people affected by contamination due to fracking because our government createdd a bill 7 years ago that expempts the O&G Industry from that responsibility.  The government has placed the entire burden on the tax payer.

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