The Environment and Ultra3X™
Fracking has added over 9 billion barrels of oil and 700 trillion cubic feet of natural gas to U.S. reserves. As a result, the U.S. is projected to surpass Saudi Arabia to become the world’s largest oil producer by 2015.
But fracking requires about 4.2 million barrels of “fresh” water per well (and 400 tanker trucks for transport) or over 100 billion gallons of water per annum in the U.S. alone, and growing. Most of this water flows back to the surface in a toxic form. Disposal in open pits or deep earth injection is expensive and an environmental disaster (e.g. air pollution and seismic activity). The cost to purchase fresh water and dispose of frac effluent, transportation and well side handling of the water before fracing ranges from $2.50 to $6.50 per barrel plus transportation in the Bakken. In the Eastern United States and other parts of the country this figure is much higher. Ultra3X™ not only helps the environment but does so at a competitive rate that allows for greater productivity for producers and greater efficiency for trucking firms handing water.
But fracking requires about 4.2 million barrels of “fresh” water per well (and 400 tanker trucks for transport) or over 100 billion gallons of water per annum in the U.S. alone, and growing. Most of this water flows back to the surface in a toxic form. Disposal in open pits or deep earth injection is expensive and an environmental disaster (e.g. air pollution and seismic activity). The cost to purchase fresh water and dispose of frac effluent, transportation and well side handling of the water before fracing ranges from $2.50 to $6.50 per barrel plus transportation in the Bakken. In the Eastern United States and other parts of the country this figure is much higher. Ultra3X™ not only helps the environment but does so at a competitive rate that allows for greater productivity for producers and greater efficiency for trucking firms handing water.
Example of a large waste pit. Drilling rig in the upper right corner.
Facts:
•About 100 billion gallons of fresh water used to fracture 35,000 wells in the U.S. alone each year.
•Fresh water costs for fracking are rising.
•10% - 30% of the water typically flows back to the surface (frac water or brine.)
•Frac water disposal is costly, time-consuming, and an environmental concern
•Costs to purchase fresh water and dispose of frac water range between $2.50 - $6.50 per BBL, plus transportation costs.
•About 100 billion gallons of fresh water used to fracture 35,000 wells in the U.S. alone each year.
•Fresh water costs for fracking are rising.
•10% - 30% of the water typically flows back to the surface (frac water or brine.)
•Frac water disposal is costly, time-consuming, and an environmental concern
•Costs to purchase fresh water and dispose of frac water range between $2.50 - $6.50 per BBL, plus transportation costs.
Class II Injection Wells:
Vast majority of frac water disposed of deep underground into porous rock formations via class II injections wells. The 144,000 Class II wells in operation in the U.S. inject 2 billion gallons of brine deep into the earth every day. 10 BBLs of frac water are produced for each BBL of oil.
Vast majority of frac water disposed of deep underground into porous rock formations via class II injections wells. The 144,000 Class II wells in operation in the U.S. inject 2 billion gallons of brine deep into the earth every day. 10 BBLs of frac water are produced for each BBL of oil.
Risks include:
- Groundwater contamination
- Seismicity
- Long term corporate contingent liability
- Bad press for the entire oil and gas industry
"Solving the technical and economic challenges around managing the millions of gallons of water used to properly fracture tight oil and gas wells is the holy grail of the industry.”
Steve Mueller, CEO
Southwestern Energy
Steve Mueller, CEO
Southwestern Energy
Ultra3X™ to the Rescue
Ultra3X™ plants can assist in solving all of these problems. We can recycle nearly 100% of the waste water with a minimal environmental footprint. Our units are run on a standard 3 phase 48 KVA per unit so there are no additional emissions. The only disposable is from the clean out of the sand tank to get the sand, grit and dirt. All additional solid wastes will be disposed of by Ultra3X™. Other items removed from the water are included with the hydrocarbons in the form of oil that is then handled by the refinery.
