Hydrofracturing

Environmental Concerns

Hydrofracturing utilizes a variety of chemicals that are injected into the reservoir area to create and maintain the fractures. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 exempted Hydrofracturing from Federal Regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act.³ These substances may lead to contamination of entire ground water systems, watersheds and surface water.

The fluid injected operates in two ways: first opening the fracture, and then functioning to prop open the fracture. The chemistry behind the fluids may be water-based, oil-based, or acid-based. A variety of additives may be involved including: hydrochloric acid, gelling agents, ammonium, potassium, sodium salt, hemicellulase, silica flour, biocides, methanol, sodium thiosulfate, and others.⁴ While The Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) requires that material safety data sheets be assembled for each chemical used, the proportion of each chemical additive need not be disclosed under propitiatory intellectual property laws. However, gas-drilling companies have resisted public disclosure stating: they will lose their advantage over competitors if they disclose their proprietary chemical cocktail recipe.

Threat to Groundwater

The process of hydrofracturing poses a serious threat to groundwater. While the drilling itself requires a secure seal of the well by casing through the aquifer to prevent drilling liquids, hydraulic fracturing fluids, or natural gas from leaking into the aquifer, cases of groundwater contamination have been reported.⁵ Another concern is the possibility of changing the environmental structure of the shale. Hydrofracturing may introduce new fractures or lengthen existing ones. This may link the shale to an aquifer. Shallow groundwater may also be contaminated after the recovered fluids are pumped back to the surface. 2-3 million gallons of fluid are used for a typical hydrofracturing job; large amounts of flowback water are recovered and released on the surface. They present possible contamination to surficial aquifer systems. This flowback water must be treated before being discharged into nearby receiving water. One option currently considered for disposal of this wastewater involves underground injection, or on-site treatment and re-use.⁶

Threat to Surface Water

Hydrofracturing presents surface water quality issues as well. Runoff following a rainstorm can transport sediments to nearby surface water lakes and rivers. While most industries are regulated regarding runoff discharges, resulting in pollution prevention plans and treatment of runoff, the oil and gas industry operations are specifically exempt under the Clean Water Act, Section 402(1)(2). The Safe Drinking Water Act also prevents the EPA from interfering with underground injection of fluids brought to the surface in connection with oil and natural gas production. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 amended the definition of “underground injection” to exclude the injection of fluids or agents used in hydraulic fracturing operations related to oil, gas, or geothermal production activities.⁷

Marcellus Shale

The Marcellus shale in the northeastern United States potentially represents the largest unconventional gas resource in the United States. Extraction would require massive hydrofracturing operations currently putting it at the center of the hydrofracturing debate.