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Waterless Fracking promises more energy, less trouble
wattsupwiththat.com ^ | November 7, 2014 | Anthony Watts

Posted on 11/07/2014 6:40:39 PM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach

Waterless Fracking may increase access to more energy, without the need to deal with the waste water.From the article:

Researchers at the Colorado School of Mines claim they have developed a method to unlock hydrocarbons trapped in shale with using any water at all. They are seeking to perfect Cryogenic fracturing, which replaces water with searing cold liquid nitrogen (or carbon dioxide). Used at temperatures below minus 321 Fahrenheit, it is pumped underground at high pressure. Once it comes into contact with the heated, pressurized shale, a reaction occurs which caused the shale to crack open and creates fissures through which the hydrocarbons can gush out. They liken it to pouring hot water onto a frozen car windshield, with the sharp and sudden temperature change causing the glass to crack.

There are several positive results from using this technique. First, the liquid nitrogen will evaporate underground eliminating the need for costly recovery and retreatment. Further, they claim it will form bigger fissures or canals through which hydrocarbons can be extracted, boosting oil and gas production. In theory, the below-freezing liquid should actually be more rather than less effective than water based methods.

Second, it may well solve problems with water-sensitive formations or those with an unwanted amount of clay. Slickwater fracking often causes water saturation around the fracture and clay swelling, hindering the ability to transport hydrocarbons from the fracture to the well bore. Some shale absorbs water very quickly and the entire formation may swell in size and hinder transport through the fissures we have created. Even in a best case scenario, using hydraulic fracturing results in a low recovery factor, caused largely by water trapping.

h/t to WUWT reader Ben in WUWT Tips and Notes

Source:

http://shaleforum.com/profiles/blogs/too-much-clay-chill-out-why-cryogenic-fracturing-may-be-the?xg_source=msg_mes_network


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Science
KEYWORDS: co2frac; cofrack; energy; fracking; opec; waterlessfracking
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To: cripplecreek

You pump the co2 in the well and push it into the formation to create a flow path for the gas/oil. Just like any other fracturing fluid, it is going to come back out the well. There is nothing to hold it back and it is mostly “in front” of the oil/gas you want to produce.


41 posted on 11/08/2014 7:09:53 AM PST by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer.)
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To: cripplecreek

“According to thackney the CO2 doesn’t stay in the ground with this method.”

the process works by pumping the fluid, in this case CO2, into the ground to create fractures.

Then upon flowback, the pumped frac fluids are produced back.

Typically, not 100% of the pumped frac fluids are recovered as some are absorbed or otherwise retained in the formation.

In no case are the pumped frac fluids 100% remain in the formation or “sequestered”.


42 posted on 11/08/2014 10:34:00 AM PST by bestintxas (Every time a RINO is defeated a Founding Father gets his wings.)
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To: Ernest_at_the_Beach; AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; cardinal4; ...

Thanks Ernest.


43 posted on 11/13/2014 5:34:00 PM PST by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/_______________________Celebrate the Polls, Ignore the Trolls)
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