Apidays Singapore 2024 - Modernizing Securities Finance by Madhu Subbu
Frac Pp09
1. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Delivery Methods for Optimizing in situDelivery Methods for Optimizing in situ
Remediation with TreatmentRemediation with Treatment
AmendmentsAmendments
2. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
OutlineOutline
The trend towardsThe trend towards in situin situ RemediationRemediation
New approaches: Many OptionsNew approaches: Many Options
Delivery Methods: Injection vs. FracturingDelivery Methods: Injection vs. Fracturing
Verification techniquesVerification techniques
ApplicationsApplications
BenefitsBenefits
3. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Traditional ApproachTraditional Approach
Excavation and Disposal (soils)Excavation and Disposal (soils)
Monitored Natural Attenuation (Risk Management)Monitored Natural Attenuation (Risk Management)
Ex situ treatmentEx situ treatment
Physical extraction systemsPhysical extraction systems
BUT,BUT,
Excavation is expedient, but costly; retained liability is prorated toExcavation is expedient, but costly; retained liability is prorated to
waste generatorswaste generators
Risk Management is only a tool, not a remedial solutionRisk Management is only a tool, not a remedial solution
Ex situ options not always feasible due to site constraintsEx situ options not always feasible due to site constraints
(operations and facilities) and associated expense(operations and facilities) and associated expense
Physical extraction systems (P&T) not effective in low permeabilityPhysical extraction systems (P&T) not effective in low permeability
sedimentssediments
Transferring contamination or deferring the problem by riskTransferring contamination or deferring the problem by risk
management is NOT REMEDIATIONmanagement is NOT REMEDIATION
4. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
TraditionalTraditional
“Remediation”“Remediation”
3D Contaminant3D Contaminant
Plume ProfilePlume Profile
Free PhaseFree Phase ZoneZone Dissolved ZoneDissolved Zone
Alberta Reality –Alberta Reality –
Who wants to beWho wants to be
a millionaire?a millionaire?
5. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
““The New Remediation”The New Remediation”
Focus on DestructionFocus on Destruction of Contaminantsof Contaminants InIn
SituSitu to harmless end products :to harmless end products :
ChemicallyChemically
BiologicallyBiologically
using treatment amendments andusing treatment amendments and
enabling technologies (e.g. fracturing,enabling technologies (e.g. fracturing,
directional drilling, subsurface mapping)directional drilling, subsurface mapping)
6. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Growing trend to RemedialGrowing trend to Remedial
Technologies that are …Technologies that are …
CHEAPER (lower life-cycle cost)CHEAPER (lower life-cycle cost)
Effective (meet criteria)Effective (meet criteria)
Passive (simple infrastructure)Passive (simple infrastructure)
Sustainable (natural processes)Sustainable (natural processes)
Non-disruptive (minimal site disturbance)Non-disruptive (minimal site disturbance)
Versatile (in soil and bedrock)Versatile (in soil and bedrock)
““Conventional Remediation that involvesConventional Remediation that involves
excavation is like amputating a patient’s armexcavation is like amputating a patient’s arm
when all she might need is a tetanus shot”when all she might need is a tetanus shot”
7. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Examples of In SituExamples of In Situ
ApplicationsApplications
Refineries and Tank FarmsRefineries and Tank Farms
Gas Plants and Battery SitesGas Plants and Battery Sites
Pipeline ROWsPipeline ROWs
Bulk Fuel PlantsBulk Fuel Plants
Former Flare Pit sitesFormer Flare Pit sites
Retail Gasoline StationsRetail Gasoline Stations
Dry cleaner sitesDry cleaner sites
Grain TerminalsGrain Terminals
LandfillsLandfills
Industrial Manufacturing SitesIndustrial Manufacturing Sites
Brownfield redevelopmentBrownfield redevelopment
propertiesproperties
Military SitesMilitary Sites
Geotechnical dewatering &Geotechnical dewatering &
slope stability applicationsslope stability applications
8. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
In Situ Remediation usingIn Situ Remediation using
Treatment AmendmentsTreatment Amendments
DELIVERY TREATMENT
GEOLOGY
EMPLACE
TECHNIQUE
DRILL
EQUIPMENT
TREATMENT
AMENDMENT
CONTAMINANT
TYPE
10. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Low Density SolidLow Density Solid
Bioamendment (Chitin)Bioamendment (Chitin)
11. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
High density SolidHigh density Solid
Amendment (ZVI)Amendment (ZVI)
12. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Zeolite Column TestingZeolite Column Testing
To test for:To test for:
Hydraulic ConductivityHydraulic Conductivity
propertiesproperties
Use as a fractureUse as a fracture
proppantproppant
Efficacy as an in situEfficacy as an in situ
treatment amendmenttreatment amendment
for sodium reductionfor sodium reduction
13. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Amendment DeliveryAmendment Delivery
MethodsMethods
FRACTUREFRACTURE
EMPLACEMENTEMPLACEMENT::
Slurry containingSlurry containing
amendment isamendment is
pumped downholepumped downhole
at a pressureat a pressure
sufficient to fail soilsufficient to fail soil
and create discreteand create discrete
fractures of radialfractures of radial
distributiondistribution
PERMEATIONPERMEATION
INJECTION:INJECTION:
Amendment solutionAmendment solution
or slurry is injected ator slurry is injected at
sub-fracturingsub-fracturing
pressure to permeatepressure to permeate
pore space radiallypore space radially
outwards from pointoutwards from point
of injection.of injection.
14. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Permeation InjectionPermeation Injection
Only works if amendment can pass throughOnly works if amendment can pass through
the mean pore throat diameter of a soil, i.e.the mean pore throat diameter of a soil, i.e.
when:when:
Amendment Particle size,Amendment Particle size,
Ps <Ps < √ K/7√ K/7
Ps in microns and K in md (Haris and Odum, 1982)Ps in microns and K in md (Haris and Odum, 1982)
Otherwise, you are fracturing!!!Otherwise, you are fracturing!!!
15. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Simplified Direct PushSimplified Direct Push
InjectionInjection
16. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Oxidant Injection at Dry CleanerOxidant Injection at Dry Cleaner
SiteSite
17. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
What is Fracturing?What is Fracturing?
Fracturing is a process in which a fluid isFracturing is a process in which a fluid is
applied to a soil or rock mass until failure ofapplied to a soil or rock mass until failure of
the soil or rock occurs, which results in athe soil or rock occurs, which results in a
tensile parting (i.e. fracture).tensile parting (i.e. fracture).
Adapted for environmental use from theAdapted for environmental use from the
Petroleum Industry where it has been usedPetroleum Industry where it has been used
for increasing well production since 1949.for increasing well production since 1949.
Fractures create high permeable pathwaysFractures create high permeable pathways
which increase subsurface fluid flow.which increase subsurface fluid flow.
18. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Fracture EmplacementFracture Emplacement
Low permeability soils: <10Low permeability soils: <10-6-6
m/s Hydraulicm/s Hydraulic
Conductivity (clays, silts, silty/clayey fineConductivity (clays, silts, silty/clayey fine
grained sands)grained sands)
Provides permeability enhancement andProvides permeability enhancement and
simultaneous delivery of treatmentsimultaneous delivery of treatment
amendments (solid, liquid, or slurry)amendments (solid, liquid, or slurry)
Fracture pathways can be used forFracture pathways can be used for
subsequent injections of treatmentsubsequent injections of treatment
amendment for multiple dosing.amendment for multiple dosing.
19. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Typical Fracture PlanTypical Fracture Plan
1.1. Soil Fracturing to increase permeabilitySoil Fracturing to increase permeability
2.2. Injection of chemical oxidants or biologicalInjection of chemical oxidants or biological
reagents into fractures and surrounding soils.reagents into fractures and surrounding soils.
26. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Visual verification of fracturesVisual verification of fractures
in excavationin excavation
27. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Verification of amendmentVerification of amendment
delivery by soil coringdelivery by soil coring
28. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Verification usingVerification using
Tiltmeter GeophysicsTiltmeter Geophysics
Tiltmeters areTiltmeters are
ground surfaceground surface
sensors that detectsensors that detect
tilt angle and tilttilt angle and tilt
direction indirection in
response to aresponse to a
fracturing orfracturing or
injection event ininjection event in
the subsurfacethe subsurface
29. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Geochemical verification for AnaerobicGeochemical verification for Anaerobic
Reductive Dehalogenation of TCE byReductive Dehalogenation of TCE by
Poly-n-acetyl glucosamine (Chitin)Poly-n-acetyl glucosamine (Chitin)
30. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Case Study 1:Case Study 1:
Condensate RecoveryCondensate Recovery
Former gas plantFormer gas plant
leaked 400 mleaked 400 m33
ofof
liquid condensateliquid condensate
Condensate underCondensate under
highway moving tohighway moving to
lake & water wellslake & water wells
Low permeabilityLow permeability
clay soils do notclay soils do not
allow efficientallow efficient
recoveryrecovery
31. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Fracturing ProgramFracturing Program
18 Fracture Boreholes containing 96 fractures18 Fracture Boreholes containing 96 fractures
created in hydrocarbon plumecreated in hydrocarbon plume
Fractures initiated between 8 to 12 metresFractures initiated between 8 to 12 metres
depth in contaminated silts and claysdepth in contaminated silts and clays
High vacuum extraction and pneumaticHigh vacuum extraction and pneumatic
pumping system constructed to recoverpumping system constructed to recover
hydrocarbons.hydrocarbons.
33. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Condensate Plume after 5Condensate Plume after 5
years of MPE operationyears of MPE operation
35. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Fracturing in ResidualFracturing in Residual
Condensate PlumesCondensate Plumes
(2006)(2006)
36. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Results of FractureResults of Fracture
Enhanced RemediationEnhanced Remediation
Subsurface condensate plume was reduced toSubsurface condensate plume was reduced to
residual levels and immobilized in 5 years.residual levels and immobilized in 5 years.
Value of condensate recovered from fracturedValue of condensate recovered from fractured
recovery wells was $135,000 which almost paidrecovery wells was $135,000 which almost paid
for cost of fracturing ($152,000).for cost of fracturing ($152,000).
Remediation cost: $1.4 millionRemediation cost: $1.4 million
Best convenitional in situ alternative: $2.5Best convenitional in situ alternative: $2.5
millionmillion
Estimated cost of excavation exclusive ofEstimated cost of excavation exclusive of
replacement cost of highway: > $4 millionreplacement cost of highway: > $4 million
37. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Case Study 2:Case Study 2:
Fracture enhanced saltFracture enhanced salt
leachingleaching
•Former Oilfield facility with
extensive salt impacts: 1.6ha
•Farmer does not want
disturbance to land
•Remedy: salt leach drains
38. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Fracturing ProgramFracturing Program
Drainage field of 221 horizontal drainageDrainage field of 221 horizontal drainage
fractures in 65 boreholes over 1.6 ha sitefractures in 65 boreholes over 1.6 ha site
Drainage fractures: 2 to 5 metres depthDrainage fractures: 2 to 5 metres depth
Hydraulically connected to collection sumpHydraulically connected to collection sump
Salt water treatment (flash distillation) andSalt water treatment (flash distillation) and
recirculation to fractured injection wellsrecirculation to fractured injection wells
Landowner acceptanceLandowner acceptance
39. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
ResultsResults
Permeability enhancement of 2 to 3Permeability enhancement of 2 to 3
orders of magnitudeorders of magnitude
Hydraulic control over entire plume areaHydraulic control over entire plume area
Very little above ground infrastructureVery little above ground infrastructure
Negligible disturbance to landNegligible disturbance to land
Less than half the $3.0 M cost ofLess than half the $3.0 M cost of
excavation (Wiebe Env.- RemTech ’06)excavation (Wiebe Env.- RemTech ’06)
40. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
#3 - PCE Remediation at a#3 - PCE Remediation at a
Mall ComplexMall Complex
Former dry cleaning operation at an urbanFormer dry cleaning operation at an urban
shopping mall leaked “PERC” (component inshopping mall leaked “PERC” (component in
dry cleaner fluid) into clay soils anddry cleaner fluid) into clay soils and
groundwater over 1,000 mgroundwater over 1,000 m22
areaarea
Mall was redeveloped without addressingMall was redeveloped without addressing
contaminants residing to 8 m in subsurfacecontaminants residing to 8 m in subsurface
New stores built over contamination andNew stores built over contamination and
remediation now required as part of real-remediation now required as part of real-
estate transaction.estate transaction.
41. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Former Dry Cleaner SiteFormer Dry Cleaner Site
Challenges:Challenges:
Clay soils (K = 10Clay soils (K = 10-8-8
m/s)m/s)
required permeabilityrequired permeability
enhancementenhancement
Site constraints: traffic,Site constraints: traffic,
deliveries, shoppers,deliveries, shoppers,
impact on businesses,impact on businesses,
buried utilities,buried utilities,
contamination undercontamination under
liquor storeliquor store
42. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Field ProgramField Program
13 Fracture Boreholes13 Fracture Boreholes
10 boreholes completed as10 boreholes completed as
injection wellsinjection wells
Total of 42 sand fracturesTotal of 42 sand fractures
emplaced in clays (30 t)emplaced in clays (30 t)
Fractures directed intoFractures directed into
contaminated soils undercontaminated soils under
liquor storeliquor store
Subsequent injections ofSubsequent injections of
Oxytek MFR and KMnOOxytek MFR and KMnO44 intointo
fracture networkfracture network
43. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
Project SummaryProject Summary
Fracture network facilitated injection of oxidizing solutionsFracture network facilitated injection of oxidizing solutions
modified Fentons Reagent, KMnOmodified Fentons Reagent, KMnO44 ) into contaminated clays) into contaminated clays
Negligible disturbance to mall commerce – 6 day fracturingNegligible disturbance to mall commerce – 6 day fracturing
programprogram
50% reduction in PCE in GW after 2 months (Oxytek)50% reduction in PCE in GW after 2 months (Oxytek)
95% reduction (perimeter wells) & 11% reduction (core wells)95% reduction (perimeter wells) & 11% reduction (core wells)
85% reduction in PCE GW plume & 30% reduction of soil plume85% reduction in PCE GW plume & 30% reduction of soil plume
Ongoing oxidant injections to treat PCE rebound from claysOngoing oxidant injections to treat PCE rebound from clays
Cost analysis:Cost analysis:
Excavation and rebuilding: $ 2.5 M + loss of revenuesExcavation and rebuilding: $ 2.5 M + loss of revenues
Fracture Remediation : $ 0.5 M (est. 3 years)Fracture Remediation : $ 0.5 M (est. 3 years)
44. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
BenefitsBenefits
Cost savings: 30% to 70%Cost savings: 30% to 70%
Eco-friendly – small footprintEco-friendly – small footprint
Best Available TechnologiesBest Available Technologies
Dovetails with “Sustainability” conceptDovetails with “Sustainability” concept
““Stakeholder friendly” = acceptanceStakeholder friendly” = acceptance
45. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
CLOSURECLOSURE
Innovative and cost-advantagedInnovative and cost-advantaged
technologies are increasingly in demandtechnologies are increasingly in demand
These technologies are being leveragedThese technologies are being leveraged
for competitive advantage, includingfor competitive advantage, including
Master Service AgreementsMaster Service Agreements
In situ vendors and technologies arrivingIn situ vendors and technologies arriving
in Canadain Canada
The status quo is being left behindThe status quo is being left behind
46. FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.FRAC RITE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD.
THANK YOU !!THANK YOU !!
Additional case histories, technicalAdditional case histories, technical
papers & SITE DATA CHECKLIST arepapers & SITE DATA CHECKLIST are
available at:available at:
www.fracrite.cawww.fracrite.ca
Editor's Notes
City of Calgary landfill rate increase, EU LF directive 2004 – no more codisposal
Best Practices – mandated in corporate bylaws
Simplified recipe for successful in situ remediation using a treatment amendment – critical elements
Geology is of paramount importance!! It dictates delivery and influences treatment decisions.
Zeolite has the potential to simultaneously provide high inherent permeability and cation exchange potential when emplaced into subsoils by fracturing .
Two ways to overcome limitations of difficult soils - Fracturing to enhance K, and injection of treatment amendments into subsurface to inoculate soil and groundwater
Direct injection works great in permeable soils (like in California) where there is sufficient groundwater flux to transport treatment amendments throughout the aquifer. However, this approach is not effective for clays – amendments can only be emplaced by fracturing because microscopic pore throats do not readily permit the injection of solids or liquids.
Two ways to overcome limitations of difficult soils - Fracturing to enhance K, and injection of treatment amendments into subsurface to inoculate soil and groundwater
Can emplace solid, slurry, or liquid phase amendments
Bench to field scale
Horizontal sheets of sand layered like pancakes – permeability contrast between clay and sand fractures is 5 orders of magnitude.
Options: Excavation – need to dig up highway, condensate very deep – 15 m bgs
Conventional recovery wells – low flow rates, too many required (&gt;55), time frame to remediation estimated at 18 years by consultant.
Based on assessment of 3 baseline wells to 3 fractured wells.
Verification drilling in 2004 – missed smaller plumes from initial investigation – drilled conventional recovery wells in an attempt to recover condensate – unsuccessful. Therefore fractured in smaller plumes to enhance condensate recovery.
5 year time frame is impressive if you consider that the site had been leaking over 25 years.
Threat to domestic WW users removed
Production in first two years