EPA's Hydraulic Fracturing Research in Brief
Drinking
WUn Well
Hydraulic Fracturing
Water Cycle
The EPA's study includes research
on hydraulic fracturing of shale
formations to extract natural gas and
oil. The scope of the research is defined
by the hydraulic fracturing water
cycle—five areas where the process
has the potential to impact drinking
water resources. It begins with water
acquisition and ends with treatment
and/or disposal of wastewater.
Number of Projects by Research Activity
The EPA is using a variety of research
activities to answer five primary and
16 secondary research questions, as
outlined in the Agency's Plan to
Study the Potential Impacts of
Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking
Water Resources, www.epa.
gov/hfstudy. EPA researchers are
conducting 21 individual research
projects that fall under five types of
activities: analysis of existing data,
scenario evaluations, laboratory
studies, toxicity assessments and case
studies. Research progress for each
type of research activity is summarized
in the 2012 Progress Report.
Analysis of existing data
• Scenario evaluations
Laboratory studies
• Toxicity assessment
• Retrospective case studies
• Prospective case studies
EPA/601/F-12/005
November 2012
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Study of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources
2012 Progress Report
Flowback and Produced Water
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
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Flowback and Produced Water
What is flowback and produced water?
• Flowback is fluid returned to the surface after hydraulic fracturing has
occurred, but before well is put into production
• Produced water is fluid returned to the surface after well is in production
• Both may contain added chemicals, naturally-occurring substances,
hydrocarbons and potential reaction and degradation products
Why is the EPA looking at flowback and produced water as
part of this study?
• Onsite transfer and storage of hydraulic fracturing wastewaters may result
in accidental releases
• Spilled fluids have potential to flow into nearby surface or ground water,
potentially reaching drinking water resources
What are the possible impacts of surface spills on or near well pads of flowback
and produced water on drinking water resources?
Study Questions
What is currently known about the
frequency, severity and causes of flowback
and produced water?
What is the composition of hydraulic
fracturing wastewaters, and what factors
might influence this composition?
What are the chemical, physical and
toxicological properties of hydraulic
fracturing wastewater constituents?
If spills occur, how might hydraulic
fracturing wastewaters contaminate drinking
water resources?
Research Projects
Literature Review
Spills Database Analysis
Service Company Analysis
Well File Review
Literature Review
Service Company Analysis
Well File Review
Analytical Methods
Development
• Toxicity Assessment
• Literature Review
• Retrospective Case Studies
Research Projects
Analysis of existing data
• Scenario evaluations
Laboratory studies
Toxicity assessment
• Retrospective case studies
Prospective case studies
Literature Review
Review and summarize literature on:
• Spills of flowback and produced water
• Chemicals found in hydraulic fracturing wastewater
• Environmental fate and transport of selected chemicals in hydraulic fracturing wastewater
Spills Database Analysis
Compile and evaluate spill information from three state databases (Colorado, New Mexico and
Pennsylvania) and one national database (National Response Center)
Service Company Analysis
Evaluate information provided by nine hydraulic fracturing service companies—owners and operators
production wells—for the following:
• Spills of flowback and produced water
• Chemicals detected in hydraulic fracturing wastewater
Well File Review
Well files are records of activities that occurred at production wells that have been provided by the nine
hydraulic fracturing operators. This effort will evaluate spill data from 333 randomly selected well files
Analytical Method Development
Develop analytical methods for the detection of selected chemicals in hydraulic fracturing wastewater
matrices
Toxicity Assessment
Compile or estimate chemical, physical and toxicological properties for chemicals reported to be in
'draulic fracturing wastewater
Retrospective Case Studies
Consider whether spills or leaks of hydraulic fracturing wastewater may be a possible source of reported
changes in water quality of local drinking water wells
www.epa.gov/hfstudy
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