Internet Registry Opens for Hydraulic Fracturing Chemicals

Internet Registry Opens for Hydraulic Fracturing Chemicals

Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Rigzone Staff
by Karen Boman

The Ground Water Protection Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission on Monday launched a new website that allows oil and gas companies to disclose the chemical additives used in the hydraulic fracturing process on a well-by-well basis.

Chesapeake Energy has announced its active participation in the site, which is receiving funding support from the U.S. Department of Energy. The website will cover information on wells drilled starting with 2011.

Hydraulic fracturing fluid is used in developing deep shale horizontal wells, and is comprised of a mix of water and sand with small amounts of chemical additives to enhance production from otherwise inaccessible oil and gas reserves. Water and sand generally comprise about 98 percent of hydraulic fracturing fluid volume.

Chesapeake reports that it began loading well completion data onto the registry on Feb. 15, 2011, for wells where completion reports have been filed with the appropriate state agencies. Information has been uploaded covering 94 wells in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wyoming.

"Providing further information about our drilling, completing and producing operations in today's environment is more critical than ever, and we believe this new public registry provides an immediate, workable and accurate way to present information about the additives of our hydraulic fracturing operations to all of our stakeholders," said Chesapeake CEO Aubrey K. McClendon.

Twenty-four companies have registered as participants on the website, and 11 of these companies, including Chesapeake, have begun using the website to provide detailed information about the additives in their hydraulic fracturing operations.

The website, www.fracfocus.org, includes information about how hydraulic fracturing works, about the chemicals used and how fresh ground water is protected. The website may also be used by the public.