Hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as fracking, is the process of injecting water and other chemicals deep into the ground to create cracks or fissures and release fuel that can then be pumped out in wells built in the area. It is a process that has been successful at producing fuel in rock formations that were formerly inaccessible. Although fracking has risen to prominence in the past several years, it is a practice that has been used for more than 60 years.<\/p>\n
Fracking has been hotly debated and thoroughly studied by the media, politicians, geologists, engineers and even chemists in recent years. Some have talked about the environmental impact of the process, and others point to its economic and engineering successes. One area that is often not talked about because of the secrecy surrounding it is the chemicals that are used in the fracking fluid. <\/p>\n
Drilling giant Baker Hughes announced in April 2014 that it would start listing the chemicals it uses in its fracking fluid on FracFocus\u200b, the national hydraulic fracturing chemical registry managed by Ground Water Protection Council and Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. Baker Hughes, which is one of the world's largest oil-field companies, plans to disclose chemical use without divulging industry secrets or specific brands that could hurt its competitive edge, according to The Wall Street Journal. The company wants to share this information to increase transparency with the public in a way that "increases public trust while encouraging commercial innovation."<\/p>\n
Similar companies, such as Halliburton and Schlumberger\u200b, are not yet disclosing their chemicals.<\/p>\n
What exactly do the chemicals in fracking fluid do?<\/strong> Acids like hydrochloric acid are used in fracking fluids to dissolve the minerals in the rock, soil and sand below the ground. Acid is also used to dissolve parts of the rock to initiate cracking, according to FracFocus.<\/p>\n Other acids, corrosion inhibitors and biocides like quaternary ammonium chloride and glutaraldehyde are used to prevent corrosion and eliminate corrosive bacteria. Many of the chemicals involved are used for mundane aspects of drilling, like preventing corrosion.<\/p>\n For example, phosphonic acid salt and sodium polycarboxylate are two scale inhibitors used to keep scale deposits from developing inside of the pipes. Citric acid, sodium erythorbate and thioglycolic acid are among those used to stop metal oxides from precipitating within the fluid. Also, polyacrylamide and hydrotreated light petroleum distillate are used to lubricate the water and reduce friction. Other chemicals are used to stabilize clay or carry chemicals. <\/p>\n
\nBecause of the secrecy around fracking fluid in the past, many chemists and geologists outside of the business may not have been able to see the specific chemicals or types of chemicals used. Ninety percent of fracking fluid is made up of water, and another 9.5 percent is standard sand, according to the American Petrol Institute's Energy Tomorrow project. The remaining 0.5 percent of the fracking fluid is made up of chemicals.<\/p>\n