33
an outlet at the bottom for water and one at the top for gas to separate the two fluids
using gravity.
Water in gas pipelines must be avoided—under high pressures and low temperatures in the presence of natural gas, it will form a solid, ice-like compound called
methane hydrate. Methane hydrates are known as “clathrates” and incorporate
methane molecules as part of the crystal lattice structure (Collett et al. 2009). They
occur naturally in cold, high-pressure environments like the bottom of the deep
ocean or under Arctic permafrost. In a high-pressure gas transmission pipeline, it
may completely block the pipe and will not endear the well operator to the pipeline
company. The gas is processed through ethylene glycol dryers to remove any
remaining traces of water vapor before it goes into a gas transmission pipeline.
2.4 Frack Chemicals
The components of hydraulic fracturing fluid consist mostly of fresh water, proppant sand, and a fraction of a percent of chemical additives (Fig. 2.7). Although the
chemicals are used in low concentrations, they are deployed at the drill site in large
volumes. This is because the water, chemical, and sand mix is blended during the
progress of the frack, where the types and amounts of chemicals added may change
over the course of the stimulation.
Fig. 2.7 The components of hydraulic fracturing fluid; chemical additives are less than 1% of the
total. (Source: Adapted from FracFocus webpages)
2.4 Frack Chemicals
an outlet at the bottom for water and one at the top for gas to separate the two fluids
using gravity.
Water in gas pipelines must be avoided—under high pressures and low temperatures in the presence of natural gas, it will form a solid, ice-like compound called
methane hydrate. Methane hydrates are known as “clathrates” and incorporate
methane molecules as part of the crystal lattice structure (Collett et al. 2009). They
occur naturally in cold, high-pressure environments like the bottom of the deep
ocean or under Arctic permafrost. In a high-pressure gas transmission pipeline, it
may completely block the pipe and will not endear the well operator to the pipeline
company. The gas is processed through ethylene glycol dryers to remove any
remaining traces of water vapor before it goes into a gas transmission pipeline.
2.4 Frack Chemicals
The components of hydraulic fracturing fluid consist mostly of fresh water, proppant sand, and a fraction of a percent of chemical additives (Fig. 2.7). Although the
chemicals are used in low concentrations, they are deployed at the drill site in large
volumes. This is because the water, chemical, and sand mix is blended during the
progress of the frack, where the types and amounts of chemicals added may change
over the course of the stimulation.
Fig. 2.7 The components of hydraulic fracturing fluid; chemical additives are less than 1% of the
total. (Source: Adapted from FracFocus webpages)
2.4 Frack Chemicals