This lecture reviews hydraulic fracturing and alternative fracturing technologies, by searching the open literature, patent databases and commercial websites. For each identified technique, an overview is given. The technique is then briefly explained, and its rationale (reasons for use) is identified. Potential advantages and disadvantages are identified, and some considerations on costs are given. Finally, the status of the technique (for instance, commercially applied, being developed, concept, etc.) is given for its application to shale gas production. Why Unconventional Gas Reservoirs need to be Hydraulically Fractured; The importance of complex hydraulic fracture geometry; The Hydraulic Fracturing Process described; Fracturing Materials; What Can We Control During a Fracture Treatment?; Why cause and effect with respect to production are not always obvious; Key Considerations for Hydraulic Fracturing of Gas Shales; Why We Fracture Shale Gas Wells…!; The Hydraulic Fracturing Processes; Functions of the Fracturing Fluid; Fracturing Challenges in Unconventional Gas Reservoirs; Post Fracture Treatment Monitoring Methods; Fracture Treatment Validation Via Microseismic Monitoring

1. Hassan Z. Harraz
hharraz2006@yahoo.com
Spring 2018
@Hassan Harraz 2018
Hydraulic Fracturing,
Hydrofracturing

2. Scope and Objective
• This lecture reviews hydraulic fracturing and alternative
fracturing technologies, by searching the open
literature, patent databases and commercial websites.
• For each identified technique, an overview is given.
• The technique is then briefly explained, and its
rationale (reasons for use) is identified. Potential
advantages and disadvantages are identified, and some
considerations on costs are given.
• Finally, the status of the technique (for instance,
commercially applied, being developed, concept, etc.)
is given for its application to shale gas production.
@Hassan Harraz 2018 Fracking 2

3. @Hassan Harraz 2018
Outlines
• Why Unconventional Gas Reservoirs need to be Hydraulically Fractured
• The importance of complex hydraulic fracture geometry
• The Hydraulic Fracturing Process described
• Fracturing Materials
• What Can We Control During a Fracture Treatment?
• Why cause and effect with respect to production are not always obvious
• Key Considerations for Hydraulic Fracturing of Gas Shales
• Why We Fracture Shale Gas Wells…!
• The Hydraulic Fracturing Processes
• Functions of the Fracturing Fluid
• Fracturing Challenges in Unconventional Gas Reservoirs
• Post Fracture Treatment Monitoring Methods
• Fracture Treatment Validation Via Microseismic Monitoring
3

4. 1) INTRODUCTION

5. What is fracking’?

6. Basics Facts

7. @Hassan Harraz 2018 Fracking 7
All activities at well site (Drilling, Fracking,
Flaring, Storage of Water/Chemicals)

8. 2) HYDRAULIC FRACTURING PROCESS
 Drill the well:
 Case and Cement possible hazard areas:
 Perforate casing and cementing with Perforating
Gun
 Pump fracturing fluid down hole
 Production

9. What Changed the Game?
Horizontal Well with Multi-Stage Fracturing
Source: EnCana
• Natural gas production from
shallow, fractured shale
formations not new
• What “changed the game” was
the recognition that one could
“create a permeable reservoir”
and high rates of gas
production by using intensively
stimulated horizontal wells
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10. @Hassan Harraz 2018 Fracking 10

11. @Hassan Harraz 2018 Fracking 11

12. Vertical Wells vs. Long Reach Horizontal Wells
@Hassan Harraz 2018 Fracking 12
Protection
Casing
Protection
Casing

13. 2.1) Vertical Drilling

14. 2.2) Horizontal Drilling

15. 2.3) Rotary Drilling

16. 3) WELL OPERATIONS AND INPUTS

17. • In general, a fracturing fluid can be thought as the
sum of three main components:
Fracturing Fluid = Base Fluid + Additives + Proppant
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18. Differentfluidsused for hydraulicfracturing(adaptedandexpandedfrom (EPA 2004, and PetroWiki -
Societyof PetroleumEngineers, 2013)

19. 3.2) Wellbore Casing

20. 3.3) Casing and Cementing

21. 3.4) Venting and Flaring

22. 4) Perforating the Formation
Perforated using a “perf
gun”
Perforating guns use
explosive charges to
fracture:
Casing
Cementing
Formation
@Hassan Harraz 2018 Fracking 22

23. Shale Gas Extraction/ Tapping the Gas:

24. @Hassan Harraz 2018 Fracking 24
Shale Gas Extraction/ Tapping the Gas:
Distance
between shale
formation and
ground water
typically > 1
mile
Vertical
fractures rarely
grow more
than about 300
feet,
and are usually
much less

25. Diagram showing the general features of a
@Hassan Harraz 2018 Fracking 25

26. Key Considerations for Hydraulic Fracturing of Gas
Shales
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27. Why are we fracking

28. Why We Fracture Shale Gas Wells…!

29. Complex Hydraulic Fracturing
• Requirement for sealed natural fracture shale gas
systems
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30. @Hassan Harraz 2018 Fracking 30

31. Source: http://warrenpohatu.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-is-fracking-cuz.html
@Hassan Harraz 2018 Fracking 31

32. 6.1.1) Process of hydraulic fracturing
• We are injecting a fluid at high pressure, which overcomes
the tensile strength of the rocks and breaks them.
Fig. depicting shale will sustain maximum amount of strain at
some confining pressure before fracturing.
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33. Multilateral Wells
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34. 6.1.2) The Hydraulic Fracturing Processes

35. 6.1.2) The Hydraulic Fracturing Processes..(Cont.)

36. Functions of the Fracturing Fluid

37. 5) Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids and Their Contents

38. UH OH… Did He Say Chemicals?
(Earthworksaction.org)
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39. Basic Fracturing Fluid Materials

40. Proppant

41. Types of Proppant

43. Fracturing Challenges in Unconventional Gas Reservoirs

44. Post Fracture Treatment Monitoring Methods

45. Fracture Treatment Validation Via Microseismic Monitoring
Is the fracture staying in zone vertically?
Image courtesy Steve Sadoskas, Baker Microseismic
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46. A picture that shows you how to work the hydraulic fracturing
method foam for the extraction of natural gas-Petroleum
companies in Egypt using hydraulic breakers-Must prevent it
how to work the hydraulic fracturing method foam for the
extraction of natural gas-Petroleum companies in Egypt
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47. Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydraulic Fracturing
Advantages Disadvantages
Increase in production of natural gas Water contamination of chemicals
Increase in economic activities Ingredients for fracking process
unknown to public
Price for drilling natural gas low Major health concerns for people
that live nearby drilling
@Hassan Harraz 2018 Fracking 47

48. References
1. Carr, M. (2012). Natural Gas to Be Most-Used Fuel in U.S. by 2030, IEA Says. Bloombeg.
Retrieved from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-12/natural-gas-to-become-largest-fuel-in-u-s-by-2030-iea-says.html
2. Earthworks. (2012) Hydraulic Fracturing 101. Retrieved fromearthworksaction.org/issues/detail/hydraulic_fracturing_101
3. Fracking risks to groundwater analysed. (2012). TCE: The Chemical Engineer, (849), 6-7.
4. Gruver, M. (2011) EPA: First Evidence Surfaces Linking Fracking, Water Pollution. Retrieved from http://www.sltrib.com
5. Hart, M., Weiss, D. (2011) Making Fracking Safe in the East and West: Environmental Safeguards
on Shale Gas Production Needed as China Begins Development. Center for American Progress. Retrieved from
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/report/2011/10/21/10407/making-fracking-safe-in-the-east-and-west/
6. Hines, D.A. (2012). The “Halliburton Loophole”: Exemption of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids from
Regulation Under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act
7. Hydrocarbon. (n.d.) In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrocarbons?show=0&t=1352739738
8. Kamarshi, B., Kurtz, J., Soulsby, R. (2012) Fracking: Considerations for Risk Management and
Financing http://insight.milliman.com/article.php?cntid=8107
9. Montgomery, C., Smith, M. (2010) Hydraulic Fracturing: History of An Enduring Technology.
http://www.spe.org/jpt/print/archives/2010/12/10Hydraulic.pdf
10. Myers, T. (2012). Potential Contaminant Pathways from Hydraulically Fractured Shale to
Aquifers. Ground Water, 50(6), 872-882. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6584.2012.00933.x
11. Natural Gas. (n.d.) In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/natural%20gas
12. NaturalGas.org. (N.D.) Overview of Natural Gas: History.
http://www.naturalgas.org/overview/overview.asp
13. Retrain-America. (2010). Preparing America for the Oil & Gas Industry: About Retrain America.
Retrieved from http://retrain-america.com/about_retrain.html
14. Swarthmore Colleg Environmental Studies. (2012). Natural Gas Drilling in the Marcellus Shale:
Economic Impact. Retrieved from http://www.swarthmore.edu/academics/environmental-studies-capstone/economic-impact.xml#_ftn1
15. U.S. Department of Energy. (2012) How Fossil Fuels are Formed.
http://www.fossil.energy.gov/education/energylessons/coal/gen_howformed.html
16. U.S. Department of Energy. (2011). Shale Gas: Applying Technology to Solve America’s Energy
Challenges. (6)3. Retrieved from http://www.netl.doe.gov/technologies/oil-gas/publications/brochures/Shale_Gas_March_2011.pdf
17. Weber, N. (2012). Fracking Too Risky. Retrieved from: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/55107435-82/fracking-process-effects-conservatives.html.csp
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49. 1. “Shale Gas: Focus on the Marcellus Shale”
http://www.earthworksaction.org/pubs/OGAPMarcellusShaleReport‐6‐12‐08.pdf
2. “Shale Gas: Focus on the Marcellus Shale”
http://www.earthworksaction.org/pubs/OGAPMarcellusShaleReport‐6‐12‐08.pdf
3. “The Environmental Review Process for Natural Gas Exploration in the
Marcellus Shale” http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/46288.html#horizontal
4. “EngineeringNatural Gas from U.S. Shale Deposits”
http://buildipedia.com/operations/engineering‐operations‐news/engineering
natural‐gas‐from‐us‐shale‐deposits?print=1&tmpl=component
5. “The Use of Clays in Drilling Fluids”
http://www.clays.org/journal/archive/volume%201/1‐1‐269.pdf
6. “Hydraulic Fracturing Facts”
http://www.hydraulicfracturing.com/FAQs/Pages/information.aspx
7. “HydraulicFracturing Overview”
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/oilgas/new_forms/marcell
us/Reports/DEP%20Fracing%20overview.pdf
8. “Hydraulic Fracturing Facts”
http://www.hydraulicfracturing.com/FAQs/Pages/information.aspx
9. “Sources of Oil and Gas Air Pollution”
http://www.earthworksaction.org/airpollutionsources.cfm
10. “Sources of Oil and Gas Air Pollution”
http://www.earthworksaction.org/airpollutionsources.cfm
11.“Natural Gas Processing”
http://www.epa.gov/ttnchie1/ap42/ch05/final/c05s03.pdf
12.Source: Freeing Up Energy, Hydraulic Fracturing:
Unlocking America’s Natural Gas Resources, API, July
19, 2010. (API, Freeing Up Energy).
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55. Are Ground Water Resources Safe?
Source:
http://mnprogressiveproject.com/minnesota-
needs-to-do-its-part-to-end-fracking/
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57. Are Ground Water Resources Safe?
Source: www.energyindepth.com
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58. What about Surface Water?

59. Outline of Lectures:
Topic 1: Natural Gas (Overview).
Topic 2: Unconventional Gas Reservoir
Topic 3: Shale Gas
Topic 4:Coalbed Methane (CBM)
Topic 5: Tight Reservoir
Topic 6: Gas Hydrates
Topic 7: Hydraulic Fracturing.
Topic 8 : Separating and Treating Well Fluids
Topic 9 : Natural Gas Processes
Topic 10 : Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Life Cycle Overview.
Topic 11 : Egyptian Natural Gas Resource (Overview).
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Nature Gas
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