Monday 21 April 2014

Hydraulic fracturing , a natural resource extractor!

Hydraulic fracturing (in industrial sector) is the process of extracting oil and gas from the ground(mining area).This non-traditional process came into picture in 1947 by Floyd Ferris & J.B. Clark(Stanolind Oil and Gas Corporation).

Process Of Hydraulic Fracturing 
                                   
             1-With a desired depth in consideration, a well is drilled vertically , which is then turned ninety degrees and continued horizontally for several thousand feet into the shale with a view to contain the trapped natural gas.

             2- Mixture containing  water, sand, and various chemicals is injected into the well at high pressure in order to create little cracks in the shale(rock) through which the gas can escape. 

             3- The cracks developed through the pressure yeilds out the natural gas and is drawn back up the well to the surface, where it is processed, refined.

             4-The flowback or the waste water returns to the surface after completion of the process.This water is contained in steel tanks until it can be stored long-term by deep injection in oil and gas waste wells. 

(source-http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Hydraulic_Fracturing-Related_Activities.jpg)

Applications 

  •  To measure stress in the ground.
  • To incite rock to cave in minning.
  • For heat extraction to produce electricity in enhanced geothermal systems.
  • As a means of enhancing waste remediation processes, usually hydrocarbon waste or spills  
  • To dispose of waste by injection into deep rock formations.
Market Research 

           The fracking fluid market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.6% over the next five years to reach $20 billion by 2018. The global fracking chemicals market was estimated to be 1,700 KT in 2012

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