EPA's Hydraulic Fracturing Research in Brief
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,
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
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-12/007
November 2012
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Study of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources
2012 Progress Report
Chemical Mixing
Control
Monitoring
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development
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Chemical Mixing
What is chemical mixing?
• Water and chemicals are mixed onsite to produce fracturing fluid
• The fracturing fluid is used to create pressure to fracture rock formations
and carry proppant—sand or ceramic beads—that holds the
fractures open and allows oil and gas flow
Why is the EPA looking at chemical mixing as part of this study?
• Onsite storage, mixing and pumping may result in accidental releases
• Released fluids may flow into nearby surface water or ground water,
potentially reaching drinking water resources
• Need better understanding of fluid composition
What are the possible impacts of surface spills on or near well pads
of hydraulic fracturing fluids on drinking water resources?
Secondary Research Questions
What is currently known about the frequency,
severity, and causes of spills of hydraulic
fracturing fluids and additives?
What are the identities and volumes of
chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluids,
and how might this composition vary at a
given site and across the country?
What are the chemical, physical and
toxicological properties of hydraulic fracturing
chemical additives?
If spills occur, how might hydraulic fracturing
chemical additives contaminate drinking
water resources?
Research Projects
Literature Review
Spills Database Analysis
Service Company Analysis
Well File Review
Literature Review
Service Company Analysis
FracFocus Analysis
Analytical Method
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 hydraulic fracturing fluids or chemical additives
• Chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluids
• Environmental fate and transport of selected chemicals in hydraulic fracturing fluids
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 operators on:
• Spills of hydraulic fracturing fluids or chemical additives
• Chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluids from 2005-2010
Well File Review
i rm
Well files are a record of activities that occurred at production wells that have been provided by the nine
hydraulic fracturing operators. This effort will summarize spill data from 333 randomly selected well files
FracFocus Database Analysis
Compile a list of chemicals reported at FracFocus.org—a voluntary industry database—and summarize
chemical usage by frequency and geographic location
mmarize
Analytical Method Development
Develop analytical methods for the detection of selected chemicals reported to be in hydraulic
fracturing fluids
Toxicity Assessment
Compile or estimate the chemical, physical and toxicological properties for chemicals with known
chemical structures that are reported to be in hydraulic fracturing fluids
Retrospective Case Studies
Consider whether spills of hydraulic fracturing fluid may be a possible source of reported changes in
water quality of local drinking water wells
www.epa.gov/hfstudy
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