Fracking The Operations and Environmental Consequences of Hydraulic Fracturing

by Holloway, Michael D.; Rudd, Oliver

• ISBN13: 9781118496329
• ISBN10: 1118496329
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2013-05-28
• Publisher: Wiley-Scrivener

Summary

This book presents both sides of a very controversial subject in today's media: induced hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking." It covers the technology and methods used in hydraulic fracturing in easy-to-understand language, for the engineer and layperson alike, presenting the environmental effects of hydraulic fracturing.

Author Biography

Michael D. Holloway's background includes organic and polymer synthesis as well as lab to pilot scale material manufacturing for Olin Chemical, military and aerospace product development for Parker-Hannifin, product engineering for Rohm & Haas / Dow Electronic Chemicals, technical marketing and application engineering for GE Plastics, product management for Graco, and most currently as director of reliability and technical development for NCH Corporation. He has served as a contributing writer for Manufacturing.net, Assembly magazine, Plant Services magazine, and Lubrication and Fluid Power magazine. He holds a BA in philosophy and a BS in chemistry from Salve Regina University and an MS in polymer engineering from the University of Massachusetts. He is a master black belt trained in Six Sigma, served as an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas, and was managing editor for Porsche Club of America's magazine, Slipstream.

Oliver Rudd has twenty years of environmental experience centered on the petroleum industry. He graduated from the University of Houston with degrees in environmental science and English and is known in the environmental sector of the petroleum industry for his level-headed guidance in providing logically sound, honest feedback in tough situations. Rudd began his career working as a fluid engineer in international drilling operations, and his environmental experience continued in the petroleum industry with positions ranging from environmental field technician to senior project manager overseeing all levels of comprehensive site investigations.

Table of Contents

Preface xi

Introduction xiii

1 Environmental Impact – Reality and Myth and Nero Did Not Fiddle While Rome Burned 1

2 Production Development 5

3 Fractures: Their Orientation and Length 11

4 Casing and Cementing 15

5 Pre-Drill Assessments 19

6 Well Construction 23

7 Well Operations 29

8 Failure and Contamination Reduction 43

9 Frack Fluids and Composition 49

10 So Where Do the Frack Fluids Go? 61

11 Common Objections to Drilling Operations 63

12 Air Emissions Controls 87

Review Permits 99

13 Chemicals and Products on Locations 101

14 Public Perception, the Media, and the Facts 125

14.1 Regulation or Policy Topics: Media Coverage and Public Perception 131

15 Notes from the Field 139

Appendix A 157

Appendix B 353

References 354

Bibliography 357

Index 359