Fracking Pumps & Sand Silos at Cuadrilla Resources Frac pump exploration & drilling equipment at Shale Gas Drill Site, Presse Hall Farm, Blackpool, UK
Image details
Contributor:
MediaWorldImages / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
C1M5X7File size:
51.2 MB (2.4 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
5184 x 3455 px | 43.9 x 29.3 cm | 17.3 x 11.5 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
18 March 2011Location:
Singleton, Blackpool, Lancashire, UKMore information:
Fracking or hydraulic fracturing is a method utilized by oil and gas companies to increase production of oil or gas from a well that would otherwise exhibit a low flow rate usually due to the geologic rock formation being too dense to allow for the economic recovery of hydrocarbons. These low permeability formations generally include tight sands, shales and coal bed methane deposits. Fracking consists of pumping millions of gallons of water, sand and various toxic chemicals (known as fracking fluids) thousands of feet down a well and out into the oil or gas bearing geologic rock formation at high enough pressure sufficient to cause that formation to fracture or crack. These fractures can extend hundreds of feet from the wellbore. After the desired fracking has occurred, the pumping of fracking fluids ceases and the internal pressure of the rock formation (the formation pressure) causes the injected fracking fluids to return to the surface (this is known as flowback). The flowback waters are often highly contaminated upon reaching the surface and are usually stored in pits or tanks until removal by truck. The sand (known as the propping agent) which is injected into the formation via the fracking fluids remains behind and serves to keep the newly created fractures from closing up when the pumping stops and pressure is relieved. These fractures then provide an avenue for the oil or gas to more easily flow through the formation to the wellbore thus allowing for a higher rate of production than could have been achieved prior to the fracturing.