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Technical Workshop Proceedings

US EPA Proceedings of the Technical Workshops for the Hydraulic Fracturing Study

In its Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations Report, the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriation Conference Committee identified the need for a focused study on the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water resources. EPA scientists, under this Administration and at the direction of Congress, are undertaking a study to better understand any potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing (HF) on drinking water resources. The scope of the proposed research includes the full lifespan of water in HF, from acquisition of the water, through the mixing of chemicals and actual fracturing, to the post-fracturing stage, including the management of flowback and produced water and its ultimate treatment and disposal.

EPA held four technical workshops from February through March 2011 to explore the following focus areas:

Chemical & Analytical Methods, February 24-25;
Well Construction & Operations, March 10-11;
Fate & Transport, March 28-29; and
Water Resource Management, March 29-30.
(See Tabs below for more information on these workshops)

The goal of the technical workshops was three-fold:

Inform EPA of the current technology and practices being used in hydraulic fracturing,
Identify research related to the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources, and
Provide an opportunity for EPA scientists to interact with technical experts. EPA invited technical experts from the oil and natural gas industry, consulting firms, laboratories, state and federal agencies, and environmental organizations to participate in the workshops.

EPA will use the information presented in these abstracts and presentations to inform research that effectively evaluates the relationship between HF and drinking water.

Chemical & Analytical Methods
Well Construction & Operations
Fate & Transport
Water Resources Management

Chemical & Analytical Methods

Workshop Themes

The Proceedings from the Chemical & Analytical Methods workshop include a summary of the presentations and discussion sessions as well as abstracts for each presentation. Not all presenters submitted an abstract or presentation to be posted for public viewing.The presentations are not part of the Proceedings, but may be downloaded below along with the individual abstracts.

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.

The full Proceedings from the Chemical & Analytical Methods workshop:
US EPA. 2011. Proceedings of the Technical Workshops for the Hydraulic Fracturing Study: Chemical & Analytical Methods. (PDF) (122 pp, 3MB)
Notice: The views expressed in these Proceedings are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Any mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement
or recommendation for use.
EPA 600-R-11-066, May 2011
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Presentations and Individual Abstracts

To cite information found in the abstract, use the following:
Author. 2011. Title of Abstract. Proceedings of the Technical Workshops for the Hydraulic Fracturing Study: Chemical & Analytical Methods, Arlington, Virginia.
Publication No. EPA 600-R-11-066.

To cite information found in the presentation, use the following:
Author. 2011. Title of Presentation. Presented at US EPA Technical Workshop for the Hydraulic Fracturing Study: Chemical & Analytical Methods, Arlington, Virginia.

Fracture Fluid Chemistry Theme

Technical Presentation Session 1: Fracture Fluid Formulations and Purposes

HF Fluid Considerations in Marcellus Shale Completions (PDF) (13 pp, 644K)
Contributed By: Dennis Degner, Range Resources
High Rate HF in Non-Marcellus Unconventional Shale (PDF) (30 pp, 938K)
Contributed By: Rick McCurdy, Chesapeake Energy
Cross-link and Linear Gel Composition (PDF) (11 pp, 98MB)
Contributed By: Richard Hodge, ConocoPhillips
Old vs. New Trends in HF Chemicals (PDF) (11 pp, 599K)
Contributed By: Denise Tuck, Halliburton
Unconventional Fracturing Fluids:What, Where, Why? (PDF) (45 pp, 1MB)
Contributed By: Satya Gupta, BJ Services - Baker Hughes

Technical Presentation Session 2: Fracture Fluid Interaction with Host Materials

Inorganic Chemistry of Produced Water in the Appalachian Basin*
Presented By: Elizabeth Rowan, USGS
* The author did not contribute an abstract or presentation for the proceedings.
Produced Formation Water Sample Results from Shale Plays (PDF) (20 pp, 706K)
Contributed By: Nancy Coleman, Chesapeake Energy
Trace Metal Geochemistry and Mobility in the Marcellus Formation (PDF) (15 pp, 404K)
Contributed By: Tracy Bank, University at Buffalo
Fracture Fluid Additives and Formation Degradations (PDF) (39 pp, 3MB)
Contributed By: George King, Apache Corporation

Technical Presentation Session 3: Fracturing Fluid Degradation Products

What Can You Expect or Not – Chemical Breakdown and Degradation (PDF) (8 pp, 81K)
Contributed By: Denise Tuck, Haliburton
Evaluation of Radionuclides as Degradation Products of Host Materials in Response to Altered Fluid Chemistry Environment (PDF) (11 pp, 562K)
Contributed By: Zoltan Szabo, USGS
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Fingerprinting Theme

Technical Presentation Session 4: Determining Ambient Groundwater Conditions

Chemical and Isotopic Tracers of Natural Gas and Formation Waters in Fractured Shales (PDF) (23 pp, 2MB)
Contributed By: Jennifer McIntosh, University of Arizona
Distinguishing the Source of Natural Gas Accumulations with a Combined Gas and Co-Produced Formation Water Geochemical Approach:A Case Study from the Appalachian Basin (PDF) (19 pp, 1MB)
Contributed By: Stephen Osborn, Duke University
The Origin of Some Natural Gases in Permian through Devonian Age Systems in the Northern Appalachian Basin and the Relationship to Incidents of Stray Gas Migration (PDF) (28 pp, 2MB)
Contributed By: Fred Baldassare, Echelon Applied Geoscience

Technical Presentations 5: Introduced Tracers

Tracing Fracturing Fluid Movement with Chemical and Gamma-Emitting Tracers with Verification by Microseismic Recording (PDF) (21 pp, 3MB)
Contributed By: George King, Apache Corporation
Designing a Water Quality Program for Shale Exploration (PDF) (19 pp, 876K)
Contributed By: Uni Blake, Gastem USA

Technical Presentations 6: Tracing Fracturing Fluids in the Environment

Elucidating Water Contamination by Fracturing Fluids and Formation Waters from Gas Wells:Integrating Isotopic and Geochemical Fingerprints (PDF) (28 pp, 1MB)
Contributed By: Avner Vengosh, Duke University
Isotopic Tracing of Groundwater Contamination:Techniques, Applications,
and Practical Considerations (PDF) (11 pp, 157K)
Contributed By: Michael Lawson, ExxonMobil
Inorganic Geochemistry of Pennsylvania Marcellus Flowback Waters (PDF) (48 pp, 3MB)
Contributed By: Carl Kirby, Bucknell University
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Field and Analytical Challenges Theme

Technical Presentation Session 7: Sampling Issues – Representativeness, Handling, Preservation

Representativeness of Flowback Fluid Samples:
Impacts of Post-Withdrawal Evolution and Temporal Variability of Composition*
Presented By: Mark Engle, USGS
* The author did not contribute an abstract or presentation for the proceedings.

Practical Quantitation and Method Reporting Limits

Quality Assurance, Quality Control and Method Performance Considerations for Chemical Testing: Samples Impacted by Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids (PDF) (21 pp, 410K)
Contributed By: David Thal, Environmental Standards, Inc.
Determination of Total Organic Carbons (TOC) in Difficult Sample Matrices Utilizing the Supercritical Water-Oxidation TOC Procedure (PDF) (21 pp, 224K)
Contributed By: Keith McLeroy, Texas A&M University
Practical Quantitation Limits, Method Detection Limits, Interferences and Dilution Challenges
in Fracturing Fluid Analyses (PDF) (25 pp, 612K)
Contributed By: Kesavalu M. Bagawandoss, Accutest Labs

Technical Presentation Session 8: Interference and Dilution Challenges Including Radionuclides

Radiochemical Analytical Challenges with Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids (PDF) (15 pp, 749K)
Contributed By: Terry Romanko, TestAmerica Labs
Analytical Challenges of Radionuclides in Brines (PDF) (13 pp, 618K)
Contributed By: Zoltan Szabo, USGS
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Well Construction & Operations

Workshop Themes

The Proceedings from the Well Construction & Operations workshop include a summary of the presentations and discussion sessions as well as abstracts for each presentation.

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.

The full Proceedings from the Well Construction & Operations workshop:
US EPA. 2011. Proceedings of the Technical Workshops for the Hydraulic Fracturing Study: Well Construction & Operations. (PDF) (158 pp, 3MB)
Notice: The views expressed in these Proceedings are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Any mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement
or recommendation for use.
EPA 600-R-11-046, May 2011
Top of page

Presentations and Individual Abstracts

The presentations are not part of the Proceedings, but may be downloaded below along with the individual abstracts.

To cite information from the abstract, use the following:
Author. 2011. Title of Abstract. Proceedings of the Technical Workshops for the Hydraulic Fracturing Study: Well Construction & Operations, Arlington, Virginia.
Publication No. EPA 600-R-11-046.

To cite information from the presentation, use the following:
Author. 2011. Title of Presentation. Presented at US EPA Technical Workshop for the Hydraulic Fracturing Study: Well Construction & Operations, Arlington, Virginia.

Well Construction Theme

Technical Presentation Session 1: Considerations for Aquifer Protection

Overview of the Well Construction Sessions (PDF) (11 pp, 1MB)
Contributed by Bob Whiteside, Texas World Operations
Public Water Sources and Hydraulic Fracturing – A State Drinking Water Perspective (PDF) (19 pp, 633K)
Contributed by Mark Jensen, Utah Department of Environmental Quality
Well Completion Methods for Aquifer Protection (PDF) (16 pp, 871K)
Contributed by Bill Godsey, GeoLogic Environmental Services, LLC

Technical Presentation Session 2: Well Design

Well Planning and Construction Techniques (PDF) (16 pp, 1MB)
Contributed by Carolyn Debrick, Devon Energy
Production Casing Design Considerations (PDF) (41 pp, 2MB)
Contributed by Brad Hansen, Devon Energy
Well Construction Practices in the Marcellus (PDF) (11 pp, 1MB)
Contributed by Cody Teff, Shell Exploration and Production Company

Technical Presentation Session 3: Drilling and Completion

Multi-Well Pad, Tight Gas, Directional Drilling Program Protects Aquifers (PDF) (23 pp, 2MB)
Contributed by Jay Foreman, Williams Production
Casing Perforating Overview (PDF) (27 pp, 2MB)
Contributed by Brad Hansen, Devon Energy
Cementing, Cement Quality Evaluation/Logs and Zonal Isolation
for Hydraulically Fractured Wells (PDF) (19 pp, 1MB)
Contributed by Talib Syed, TSA, Inc.
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Fracture Design and Stimulation Theme

Technical Presentation Session 4: Geologic Assessment

The Distribution of Natural Fractures Above a Gas Shale: Questions About Whether Deep Fracture Fluid Leaks into Groundwater Outside the Realm of Faulty Borehole Construction (PDF) (35 pp, 17MB)
Contributed by Terry Engelder, Pennsylvania State University
Evaluation of Well Records and Geophysical Logs to Determine the Presence of Freshwater, Saltwater, and Gas above the Marcellus Shale, South-Central New York (PDF) (23 pp, 2MB)
Contributed by John Williams, US Geological Survey

Technical Presentation Session 5: Fracture Propagation

Fracture Design in Horizontal Shale Wells – Data Gathering to Implementation (PDF) (36 pp, 3MB)
Contributed by Tim Beard, Chesapeake Energy
Evaluating Hydraulic Fracture Propagation in a Shallow Sandstone Interval (PDF) (21 pp, 2MB)
Contributed by David Cramer, ConocoPhillips
Hydraulic Fracturing in Coalbed Methane Development, Raton Basin, Southern Colorado (PDF) (10 pp, 2MB)
Contributed by Hal Macartney, Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc.

Technical Presentations Session 6: Monitoring

Fracture Design and Stimulation - Monitoring (PDF) (24 pp, 4MB)
Contributed by Mike Eberhard, Halliburton Energy Services
A Case History of Tracking Water Movement Through Fracture Systems
in the Barnett Shale (PDF) (19 pp, 1MB)
Contributed by Patrick Handren, Denbury Resources
Measurements and Observations of Fracture Height Growth (PDF) (19 pp, 2MB)
Contributed by Norman Warpinski, Pinnacle - A Halliburton Service

Technical Presentation Session 7: Verifying Zonal Isolation

Sustainable Fracturing Rationale to Reach Well Objectives - The Impact of Uncertainties and Complexities on Compliance Assurances (PDF) (19 pp, 3MB)
Contributed by Ahmed Abou-Sayed, Advantek International
Design and Rationale for a Field Experiment using Tracers in Hydraulic Fracture Fluid (PDF) (17 pp, 4MB)
Contributed by Daniel Soeder, US Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory
Review of Stimulation Water Retention Mechanisms and Likelihood of Fluid Communication
with Shallow Aquifers (PDF) (27 pp, MB)
Contributed by Scott Cline, Unaffiliated
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Well Integrity Theme

Technical Presentation Session 8: Pre- and Post-Hydraulic Fracturing Well Integrity Test Methods

Assessment Methods for Well Integrity during the Hydraulic Fracturing Cycle (PDF) (21 pp, 3MB)
Contributed by Jim Bolander, Southwestern Energy
Pre & Post Well Integrity Methods for Hydraulically Fractured/Stimulated Wells (PDF) (31 pp, 2MB)
Contributed by Talib Syed, TSA, Inc.

Technical Presentation Session 9: Case Studies

Case Study for Well Integrity over a Full Life Cycle (PDF) (36 pp, 935K)
Contributed by Lloyd Hetrick, Newfield Exploration Company
Risks to Drinking Water from Oil and Gas Wellbore Construction and Integrity:
Case Studies and Lessons Learned (PDF) (44 pp, 1MB)
Contributed by Briana Mordick, Natural Resources Defense Council
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Fate & Transport

Workshop Themes

The Proceedings from the Fate & Transport workshop include a summary of the presentations and discussion sessions as well as abstracts for each presentation.

The full Proceedings from the Fate & Transport workshop:

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
US EPA. 2011. Proceedings of the Technical Workshops for the Hydraulic Fracturing Study: Fate & Transport. (PDF) (122 pp, 2MB)
Notice: The views expressed in these Proceedings are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Any mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
EPA 600-R-11-047, May 2011
Top of page

Presentations and Individual Abstracts

The presentations are not part of the Proceedings, but may be downloaded below along with the individual abstracts.

To cite information from the abstract, use the following:
Author. 2011. Title of Abstract. Proceedings of the Technical Workshops for the Hydraulic Fracturing Study: Fate & Transport, Arlington, Virginia.
Publication No. EPA 600-R-11-047.

To cite information from the presentation, use the following:
Author. 2011. Title of Presentation. Presented at US EPA Technical Workshop for the Hydraulic Fracturing Study: Fate & Transport, Arlington, Virginia.