Traditional Hydraulic Fracturing
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In traditional hydraulic fracturing a well would be drilled straight down into a natural gas deposit. Normally these gas deposits are between 300 and 700 meters below the surface of the earth. The wells are drilled and the lining is encased in a concrete shell. This shell channels the natural gas and forces it to return to the surface allowing it to be safely collected.
"Natural gas is found throughout the world in underground formations, such as sandstone, carbonates, coal and shale. Gaining access to the gas involves drilling vertical, horizontal or multi-lateral wells to the target formation. Various completion techniques, such as hydraulic fracturing, are then used to create an effective connection between the well and the targeted hydrocarbon-containing formation, thereby providing a pathway for the gas to be produced."
http://www.powerincooperation.com/en/pages/drilling-and-completion.html
The difference in Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing
Horizontal Hydraulic Fracking has only been available since 1998 when modern fracturing technology made possible the economical extraction of shale gas. In recent
years there have been advancements in drilling technology that allows a drill
to turn at a 90 degree angle at depths of 1000-3000 meters. This allows for
newer Hydraulic Fracturing techniques which involve drilling down past the
shale layer. The shale layer is nonporous which allows it to trap any gas
below. By drilling through the shale layer the natural gas is able to be
reached. The ability of horizontal drilling allows for more of this gas that is trapped beneath the shale layer to be extracted from each horizontally drilled well.
The difference in the cost of drilling a gas well 1000-3000 meters compared to 300-700 feet for a traditional gas well is large. To offset the increased cost of drilling to lower deposits the wells continue drilling horizontally for another 1000 to 2000 meters.
Then a small controlled explosion is performed at the farthest point of the well. Successive explosions are performed closer to the point where the well turned at a 90 degree angle. Once all of the controlled explosions are finished 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 gallons of treated water are pumped into the well and pressurized. The fracking fluid is comprised of 90% water, 9.5% sand, and .5% individual company proprietary additives. The 9.5% sand is what remains behind in the fractures and allows the natural gas that is exposed to make its way to the well. The water is extracted and kept in above ground storage before it is transported to a treatment plant.
The difference in the cost of drilling a gas well 1000-3000 meters compared to 300-700 feet for a traditional gas well is large. To offset the increased cost of drilling to lower deposits the wells continue drilling horizontally for another 1000 to 2000 meters.
Then a small controlled explosion is performed at the farthest point of the well. Successive explosions are performed closer to the point where the well turned at a 90 degree angle. Once all of the controlled explosions are finished 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 gallons of treated water are pumped into the well and pressurized. The fracking fluid is comprised of 90% water, 9.5% sand, and .5% individual company proprietary additives. The 9.5% sand is what remains behind in the fractures and allows the natural gas that is exposed to make its way to the well. The water is extracted and kept in above ground storage before it is transported to a treatment plant.
"Natural gas is found throughout the world in underground formations, such as sandstone, carbonates, coal and shale. Gaining access to the gas involves drilling vertical, horizontal or multi-lateral wells to the target formation. Various completion techniques, such as hydraulic fracturing, are then used to create an effective connection between the well and the targeted hydrocarbon-containing formation, thereby providing a pathway for the gas to be produced."
http://www.powerincooperation.com/en/pages/drilling-and-completion.html
Hydraulic fracturing is the process of drilling a well down into the earth and extracting the natural gas that is trapped there. Natural gas is usually a few hundred feed to around a maximum depth of 3000 feet. Typically at around 3000 feet there is a nonporous layer (commonly shale) that contains the natural gas at this deeper level.
http://www.powerincooperation.com/en/pages/drilling-and-completion.html
Hydraulic fracturing is the process of drilling a well down into the earth and extracting the natural gas that is trapped there. Natural gas is usually a few hundred feed to around a maximum depth of 3000 feet. Typically at around 3000 feet there is a nonporous layer (commonly shale) that contains the natural gas at this deeper level.