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LESS-TOXIC FRACKING ADDITIVES The EPA stated in 2004 that that "many chemicals in hydraulic fracturing fluids are linked to human health effects. These effects include cancer; liver, kidney, brain, respiratory and skin disorders; birth defects; and other health problems. "B T E X [benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene] t h a t h a s m o v e d b e y o n d t h e p r o d u c t i o n w e l l ’s c a p t u r e z o n e i s o f t h e g r e a t e s t c o n c e r n ." What was removed from the 2004 EPA study Important information removed from the EPA's final study was received by the Oil and Gas Accountability Project through the Freedom of Information Act. The draft version of the 2004 EPA study included calculations showing that even when diluted with water, at least nine hydraulic fracturing chemicals may be injected into underground sources of drinking water at concentrations that pose a threat to human health. These chemicals are: benzene, phenanthrenes, naphthalene, 1-methylnapthalene, 2-methylnapthalene, fluorenes, aromatics, ethylene glycol and methanol. In most other circumstances, these mixtures of chemicals would not be allowed to be injected into underground sources of drinking water. Why do they need chemicals? Chemicals are used to dissolve minerals and initiate cracks in the rock, eliminate bacteria, "slick" the water to minimize friction, thicken the water to suspend the sand, prevent scale deposits in the pipe, prevent clays from swelling or shifting and more. According to the 2004 EPA study, "Water with a simple sand proppant can be adequate to achieve a desired fracture at some sites. In some cases, water must be thickened to achieve higher proppant transport capabilities. "Service companies have developed a number of different oil- and water-based fluids and treatments to more efficiently induce and maintain permeable and productive fractures. The composition of these fluids varies significantly, from simple water and sand to complex polymeric substances with a multitude of additives. "Using diesel instead of water minimizes the number of transport vehicles needed to carry the liquid gel to the site (Halliburton, Inc., 2002). Diesel fuel is a petroleum distillate and may contain known carcinogens. One such component of diesel fuel is benzene." Would you want to drink or breathe them? Some websites try to dispel fears by explaining that chemicals used in fracking are commonly used, such as products used to clean swimming pools or sterilize medical equipment. Other chemicals are used in paint, caulk and plastic, or used to soften water and melt ice. They're also found in laundry and dishwashing detergents, household cleansers and soap. Some are used for hair coloring, cosmetics, toothpaste and antiperspirants. Others are used as food additives in baked goods, ice cream, sauces and salad dressings. Consumers have the option to read food labels and product safety warnings. They can buy healthier food and personal care items. They can protect themselves when using hazardous products. Do they have the same protection and choices with their water? Fracking chemicals can also aerosolize when they are pumped back out of the well. Water, sand and non-toxic additives From a public health perspective, the best option is to fracture formations using sand and water without any additives, or sand and water with non-toxic additives. Non-toxic additives are being used by the offshore oil and gas industry, which has had to develop fracturing fluids that are non-toxic to marine organisms. Wells fractured with non-toxic fluids were found to be effective and less costly.
The industry is making an effort According to Drilling Contractor magazine's May/June 2001 edition, there are additional means of protecting water aquifers – environmentally conscious chemistry, monitoring the path of treatments using microseismics and replacing biocides with ultraviolet light. Halliburton has introduced CleanSuite technologies. In August 2011, a Halliburton executive drank fracking fluid at a keynote speech at conference presented by the Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA). Halliburton's CEO Dave Lesar, raised a glass of fracking fluid, made from materials from the food industry, he then asked a fellow executive to show how safe the fluid was by drinking it. What this executive apparently drank is a fluid called CleanStim, which was created by Halliburton. Slumberger commercialized the OpenFrac fully disclosed hydraulic fracturing fluids, a family of fluids that avoid the use of analytes listed on the US EPA Priority Pollutants and National Primary Drinking Water Contaminants. "Operators receive full disclosure of additive components, a disclosure level similar to that used in the food industry." Baker HughesSmartCare System is taking a proactive step in trying to address all the various chemicals they might pump downhole and ultimately have all those be green. Mr. Brannon, pressure pumping senior advisor for Baker Hughes, said, "We've been able to do so in the fracturing treatments without really adding to the cost, which was a concern going in for us and for most operators." Chesapeake's Green Frac program was founded in October 2009 to evaluate the types of additives typically used in the hydraulic fracturing process, to determine their environmental friendliness. After evaluations are completed, Green Frac calls for the elimination of any additive not critical to the successful completion of the well and determines if greener alternatives are available for all essential additives. To date, the company has eliminated 25% of the additives used in hydraulic fracturing fluids in most of their shale plays. In December 2006, the Denver Post reported that Genesis Oil & Gas will use a "green" slurry while fracking on the slopes that hold the drinking-water source for Palisade and Grand Junction. It will be a mix of more innocuous substances such as citrus oils and other organic materials. Antero Resources Corp. was one of the first energy companies to do green fracing in Colorado and defines its frac fluid mainly by what it isn't: "nontoxic, nonpolluting, nonhazardous and noncarcinogenic in the forms and concentrations being used on site." Antero used the green fluids as part of an agreement to drill around Rifle, Silt and New Castle in as safe and unobtrusive way as possible.
Less use of water Baker Hughes uses a process involving ultra-high quality foams to minimize the amount of water needed in the fracturing treatment by 95%, which also reduces truck traffic at the wellsite. There is also a new waterless propane gel slurry that contains frac sand. It's used in the northeastern part of the country. The slurry is recovered in a gaseous form which reduces possible environmental impact. In Colorado, draft regulations in Saguache and Elbert Counties require non-toxic substances If challenged in court, these regulations may be deemed an "operational conflict" with COGCC regulations, but these counties are taking a stand. Proposed bill to require use of non-toxic fracking solutions in New York State In July 2008, New York State Assemblyman Felix Ortiz sponsored Bill Number A01265, along with many co-sponsors, which prohibits the use of toxic fracing solutions during hydraulic fracturing. On January 4, 2012 it was referred to environmental conservation. The purpose of the bill is to require companies to use non-toxic fracing solution as part of a greater initiative to improve and maintain the natural beauty and ecosystem of the State of New York, in addition to safeguarding the health and safety of New York's citizens. Are they really non-toxic? "I think it's a public-relations thing," said Dr. Theo Colborn, president of the Paonia-based Endocrine Disruption Exchange and a nationally known researcher and author. Because there are no standards for "green" frac fluids, it's possible they could still be environmentally damaging. Like traditional frac fluid ingredients, the exact recipes for green frac fluids are considered proprietary and not released. Some of the known organic materials being used in the green fluids, such as citrus oils, can be dangerous in higher concentrations. And some companies are advertising they are using "diesel-free" frac fluids, but the fluids still contain a hydrocarbon element such as kerosene.
REFERENCES:
What The Heck Is In Fracking Fluid, Anyway? What chemicals are used Hydraulic Fracturing Facts
NY Times report on hydro fracking pollution – shocking! Hydraulic Fracturing Best Practices http://www.earthworksaction.org/FracingDetails.cfm Western Slope drillers embracing "green" method http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_4905308 Even More on Propane Fracturing http://transloading.org/tag/fracking Ortiz Focuses on Clean Environment http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Felix-Ortiz/story/28748/ New York State Assembly -- Bill A01265 Summary http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A01265&term=2011&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Votes=Y&Memo=Y |
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Fracking basics How fracking is harmful What can be done? Take action now Colorado National |
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