Evaluate Energy provide detailed and dedicated coverage of unconventional oil and gas production, includes shale gas, oil sands and Coal Bed Methane (CBM) this covers production, project data, news and financial data from all those in the industry. Please Contact Us for more infomation.
What is Fracking?
Two major drilling techniques are used to produce shale gas. Horizontal drilling is used to provide greater access to the gas trapped deep in the producing formation. First, a vertical well is drilled to the targeted rock formation. At the desired depth, the drill bit is turned to bore a well that stretches through the reservoir horizontally, exposing the well to more of the producing shale.
Hydraulic fracturing (commonly called “fracking” or “hydrofracking”) is a technique in which water, chemicals, and sand are pumped into the well to unlock the hydrocarbons trapped in shale formations by opening cracks (fractures) in the rock and allowing natural gas to flow from the shale into the well. When used in conjunction with horizontal drilling, hydraulic fracturing enables gas producers to extract shale gas at reasonable cost. Without these techniques, natural gas does not flow to the well rapidly, and commercial quantities cannot be produced from shale. (Source EIA)
Chesapeake Energy has put together some detailed information sheets about fracking, both generally and specifically to the Barnett Shale, Fayetteville, Haynesville and Marcellus plays.