Hydraulic fracturing involves pumping a water-sand mixture into rock formations at high pressure to create fractures in the rock and allow oil and gas to flow into the well. It is a widely used technique that accounts for a significant portion of domestic oil and gas production. While the process uses mostly water and sand, small amounts of chemical additives are also used to help the process. Strict regulation and well construction techniques help protect groundwater sources from contamination.

8.  Each formation has a target treating pressure.
 Pumping pressure must exceed formation pressure to
“fracture” the formation.
 Pumping pressure is monitored and will continually rise. This
is the fluid pumping against a perforated solid formation.
Once the monitored pressure drops, the formation has been
fractured (eg. object striking tempered glass).
 Rate of fluid (barrels per minute) is increased to advance
fracturing within the formation. There are 42 gallons in one
barrel. 70-80bpm are the average rates in the West Texas
area.
 Each treatment process is called a stage. Stage counts are
typically ranged from 1-40.

9.  Attain and treat water for usage
 Pump water to hydration unit for gel mixture.
 Pump water to blender for slurry mixture.
 Blender mixes
• Proppant (Sand)
• Measured pounds per gallon
• Each proppant has a different crush depth
• Chemicals
• Measured in gallons per thousand
 Blender distributes slurry to hydraulic pumps
 Hydraulic pumps pressurizes fluid and pumps to well
through treating lines.

10. Typical Additives Used in Fracturing Fluid and COMMON
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
The fluid from the SODIUM CHLORIDE
hydraulic fracturing Used in table salt
process is nearly 0.5% Chemical
99.5% Water additives
ETHYLENE GLYCOL
and Sand 9.5% Used in household cleaners
SAND
BORATE SALTS
Used in cosmetics
SODIIUM/POTASSIUM
Used in detergent
GUAR GUM
Used in ice cream
ISOPROPANOL
Used in deodorant
To create productive natural gas wells, companies force fluid thousands of feet below the surface at high
pressure to crack shale rock and release trapped natural gas. This extraction technique is called hydraulic
fracturing. The fluid used in the process is made up almost entirely of water and sand. However, it also
includes a very small percentage of chemical additives that help make the process work.

12.  What is hydraulic fracturing?
 Hydraulic fracturing is a proven technology that has
been used since the 1940s in more than 1 million
wells in the United States to help produce oil and
natural gas. The technology involves pumping a
water-sand mixture into underground rock layers
where the oil or gas is trapped. The pressure of the
water creates tiny fissures in the rock. The sand
holds open the fissures, allowing the oil or gas to
escape and flow up the well.

13.  Is hydraulic fracturing widely used?
 Yes, and its use is likely to increase. A government-
industry study found that up to 80 percent of
natural gas wells drilled in the next decade will
require hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing
allows access to formations, like shale oil and shale
gas, that had not been assessable before without
the technology. It also allows more oil and natural
gas to be brought to the surface from wells that had
been produced without this technology.

14.  Why is hydraulic fracturing impor tant?
 It enables production of more oil and natural gas,
reducing dependence on foreign sources of energy and
creating more jobs for Americans. It’s an indispensable
technology for producing much of our clean-burning
natural gas, which heats more than 56 million
American homes, generates one-fifth of our nation’s
electricity, powers buses and fleet vehicles and creates
the basic materials for such things as fertilizers and
plastics of every variety. When burned for energy,
natural gas emits fewer greenhouse gases than other
fossil fuels.

15.  Doesn’t hydraulic fracturing present a serious
threat to the environment?
 No. The environmental track record is good, and the
technology is used under close regulatory
supervision by state, local and federal regulators.
Hydraulic fracturing has been used in nearly one
million wells in the United States and studies by the
U.S. EPA and the Ground Water Protection Council
have confirmed no direct link between hydraulic
fracturing operations and groundwater impacts.

16.  How are the fluids kept away from aquifers and
drinking water wells?
 Wells are drilled away from drinking water wells.
Also, fracturing usually occurs at depths well below
where usable groundwater is likely to be found.
Finally, when a well is drilled, steel casing and
surrounding layers of concrete are installed to
provide a safe barrier to protect usable water.

17.  Who regulates hydraulic fracturing?
 There are multiple federal, state and local government
rules addressing environmental protection during oil
and gas operations, including the protection of water
resources. These rules cover well permitting, well
materials and construction, safe disposition of used
hydraulic fracturing fluids, water testing, and chemical
recordkeeping and reporting. In addition, API has
created a guidance document on proper well
construction and plans to release guidance documents
outlining best-available practices for water use and
management and protecting the environment during
hydraulic fracturing operations.

18.  Isn’t there a risk that hydraulic fracturing will
use up an area’s water supplies?
 No. Local authorities control water use and can restrict it if
necessary. In many areas, water is recycled and reused; in
some cases companies pay for the water they use, which
comes from a variety of sources. Water requirements for
hydraulic fracturing are less than many other commercial
and recreational uses. In Pennsylvania, for example, all the
hydraulic fracturing activity taking place in 2009 used only 5
percent of the amount of water used for recreational
purposes, like golf courses and ski slopes. State agencies
manage water in a way that safeguards the water needs by
nearby communities and protects the environment.
Companies recycle and reuse much of the water.

19.  Why should communities allow hydraulic
fracturing?
 Besides the energy produced with little impact on
the environment, communities benefit
economically. Energy development creates jobs and
generates millions of dollars in royalties, taxes and
other revenues to federal, state, and local
governments. It provides energy for U.S. industry,
helps strengthen our economy locally and
nationally, and helps contribute to higher
disposable incomes.

20.  Frac Focus - http://fracfocus.org/
www.realpromisedland.org
The Real Promised Land
www.api.org