Fracking in Colombia
While hydrocarbons from conventional reservoirs flow to the surface, hydrocarbons contained in unconventional reservoirs require high-pressure injection of fracking fluid to fracture the rock to allow the hydrocarbons trapped in the rock to flow.
It is common to think that fracking - which has recently revolutionized the hydrocarbon industry - is a new technique. But in truth, fracking is the combination of two techniques, horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, which have been used since the middle of the last century in Colombia.
What really generated the intensive use of this technique in countries such as the United States was its economic viability with oil prices hovering around US$100 per barrel.
However, there is no denying the recent technical advances in horizontal drilling, completion and hydraulic fracturing, which have reduced the potential risks of fracking and have generated economic efficiencies that have reduced the cost of production to less than US$40 per barrel.
Water Contamination
One of the main concerns of implementing fracking in Colombia is water consumption and contamination. The amount of water required to develop a non-conventional hydrocarbon well by fracking ranges from 2.5 to 7.5 million liters.
In simple terms, it takes approximately the water of half an Olympic size swimming pool to frack a well.
This can be a very sensitive issue in areas where water resources are limited and is the main reason for vetoing this technique in specific areas, despite the fact that approximately 60% of the water used in hydraulic fracturing returns to the surface and can be recycled for use in fracking another well.
On the other hand, the second concern regarding water is contamination from the chemicals used in the fracturing process.
The hydraulic fracturing process requires the fracturing fluid to be 99.5% water and proppant, and 0.5% chemical additives. On the one hand, proppant is basically sand or similar particles that help keep the fracture or fissure in the rock open so that hydrocarbons can continue to flow.
On the other hand, the additives are chemicals that generate a high viscosity in the fracturing fluid in order to transport the proppant.
Another concern is groundwater contamination. Fracturing takes place at a depth of more than 2 kilometers (7,100 feet), generating a difference of more than 1.5 kilometers between the fracture and the groundwater that can be used for human consumption. This distance is slightly less than the height of an airplane when the pilot announces to return to his seat and fasten his seat belt for landing. Since the same distance exists between the fracture and the surface, cross-contamination is almost impossible. Hence, the scientific literature has documented only contamination caused by well or casing failures, but not by fracking.
Finally, the increase of earthquakes in areas where non-conventional hydrocarbon extraction takes place can be significant. The fundamental reason for the increase in earthquakes is the increase in energy on a geological fault. In other words, if fracturing occurs near a geological fault, the fault reacts to the energy increase by means of small earthquakes. The basic solution is to do seismic studies to avoid fracturing near a fault. The same happens when fracturing fluid is injected for final disposal. The increase of fluid in a formation generates pressure increase that can end up generating earthquakes.
downloadable files:Download: ARCHIVE HISTORY OF FRACKING IN COLOMBIAA small survey