Pittsburgh-area company develops alternative to biocides in frack water
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
A Pittsburgh-area company that developed a non-toxic method of disinfecting frack water is hoping to gain customers with its alternative to biocides.
Pittsburgh Business Times reports that Dirk Thomas Solutions has created a non-toxic method that disinfects fracking water. The current method used by the oil and gas industry, biocides, kill bacteria in flowback water. However, fluid costs increase due to high concentrations of biocides in flowback water, and disposal options are limited.
Dirk Thomas Solutions asserts that its method is less expensive, safer, simpler and uses less water than the biocide method.
Via: Pittsburgh Business Times > A toxic frack problem could have its solution in Pittsburgh
Leave a Comment
Marcellus & Utica Shale Well Map
Additional Shale Maps
Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.