Graphically Speaking: Fracking and Injection Wells

Last week’s National Research Council report on hydraulic fracturing and earthquakes pretty much ends up where a number of scientists are on the correlation between fracking and quakes: that energy development from shale formations poses a low risk for tremors of significance. The report said more attention should be given to injection wells, which are used for waste disposal by a number of industrial enterprises, not just the oil and natural gas industry. AP science writer Seth Borenstein’s take on the report is here.

API, America’s Natural Gas Alliance and the American Exploration & Production Council have produced a couple of informational tools on hydraulic fracturing and seismic activity and underground injection control (UIC) wells that are especially timely with release of the council’s report. 

Highlights from the fracking document:

Hydraulic fracturing is done with a mixture of more than 99.5 percent water and sand. The other one-half of 1 percent is chemical – including anti-bacterials and lubricants. See the FracFocus.org site for more on fracking fluids.Fracturing that occurs thousands of feet below the surface (and below groundwater aquifers) is carefully mapped with sophisticated equipment to optimize recovery of the oil and/or natural gas and to monitor the well itself. In other words, microseismic activity associated with fracking is thoroughly understood.

One study of several thousand shale fracture treatments across North America showed the largest micro-quake measured about 0.8 or about 2,000 times less energy than a magnitude 3.0 earthquake. The chart below shows that most of the micro-quakes in this study were 10,000 to 1 million times smaller than a 3.0 earthquake, which is roughly equivalent to the passing of a nearby truck:

Highlights from the UIC document:

The U.S. has about 151,000 Class II UIC wells used by the oil and natural gas industry, of which only a handful are being studied for possible links to earthquakes. These wells are a subset of more than 800,000 injection wells nationwide used to dispose of a variety of industrial wastes and for development of various minerals and geothermal energy sources. Here’s a map that shows the state-by-state well distribution:

Injection wells are regulated by EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act. In many cases EPA has delegated authority for the UIC program to the states, with 39 states having primary authority over 95 percent of all UIC Class II wells.Literature published in the past five years shows that less than 40 incidents of seismic activity felt on the surface were associated with Class II injection wells.

Injection wells pump fluids into deep rock formations (see graphic). It’s unusual, but in some cases a quake can occur when a number of geological and operational factors come together – especially the presence of hard, dense and brittle crystalline “basement rock.”  These quakes are almost always small, below the level that would be felt on the surface.

For more information, check out the Energy From Shale website.

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Hailing the Chief’s Support for Natural Gas Development, Fracking

President Obama deserves credit for standing fast in his support for natural gas development through hydraulic fracturing – especially given the no-to-natural gas approach taken by some of his supporters in the environmental community, including the Sierra Club. Here’s the president on Monday in Cincinnati:

“… We’re moving in the right direction in terms of energy independence. Now, part of that is this boom in natural gas.  And this is something we should welcome, because not only are we blessed with incredible natural gas resources that are now accessible because of new technologies, but natural gas actually burns cleaner than some other fossil fuels, and is an ideal fuel -- energy source that we potentially can use for the next 100 years.  So I want to encourage natural gas production.  The key is to make sure that we do it safely and in a way that is environmentally sound.”

The president is spot on – and as a response to a negative question about natural gas, his remarks were all the more remarkable. Because of abundant, affordable gas, made accessible through fracking, the global energy balance could be shifting. The president continued:

“Now, you always hear these arguments that somehow there’s this huge contradiction between the environment and economic development, or the environment and energy production.  And the fact of the matter is that there are a lot of folks right now that are engaging in hydraulic fracking who are doing it safely.”

This also is true. The oil and natural gas industry has focused on making hydraulic fracturing safer and more efficient through a set of standards that guide operators, and it has worked with states to develop regulatory regimes tailored for their specific conditions. The president went on:

“The problem is, is that we haven’t established clear guidelines for how to do it safely, and informed the public so that neighbors know what’s going on, and your family, you can make sure that any industry that’s operating in your area, that they’re being responsible.”

Well, OK. The president is mistaken or misinformed on that point. Industry has been clear and detailed in developing the standards mentioned above. It also has supported FracFocus.org to create transparency about fracking itself – a website community members can use to learn where wells are being drilled in their area, as well as the chemicals being used in the fracking fluids themselves. The industry takes community engagement and support seriously and is committed to getting shale development right.

Back to the president:

“What we’ve said is, look, we are going to work with industry to establish best practices.  We are going to invest in the basic research and science required to make sure this is done safely and in a way that protects the public health.  And for responsible companies, they should be able to operate, make a profit, and we can all benefit and put people back to work."

Best practices, we’re on it, Mr. President. Industry also is supportive of new technologies to improve operations, including those to reduce or even eliminate water use during the fracking process. Shale energy is creating jobs, thousands of them, and boosting the economy.

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Geophysical Processing/Operations Project Manager - Multi-Client - EJL/WS/987

Open To: EU Nationals or UK work permit holders

Package: Salary is negotiable and very competitive. In addition, 25 days holiday, pension, gym sponsorship, medical cover, etc. as well as an annual Bonus Scheme.

Job Overview: Working for a leading global Company, offering acquisition, processing, reservoir analysis/interpretation and multi-client library datasets, you will manage 2D processing projects and help manage acquisition surveys. Applicants are invited with strong background in geophysical processing in marine 2D time and/or depth processing…This is an ideal role for someone with a good background in marine processing and ambitious with a desire to take on project management responsibilities. The Company is committed to providing training in disciplines, project management workflows and software technologies as required….The 2D Multi-Client Group focuses on frontier exploration identifying hot spots for further investigation…Requirements: 10 min years’ oil and gas industry work experience, Proven marine hands-on geophysical processing and QC experience. A good understanding of 2D processing. Marine depth imaging processing highly advantageous…Role offers immense opportunities to broaden your geophysical knowledge across all aspects of marine exploration…Great Career prospects working for a global player in this arena…

To review the full job spec and apply, go to the Web Site www.working-smart.co.uk. Select ‘Candidates’ ‘Review Jobs’ and apply online OR alternatively, you can forward your CV electronically to info@working-smart.co.uk, detailing the job title and reference number. We would also suggest that you forward a Cover Letter focused on your experience in line with the requirements specified.

Copyright © Working Smart 2012

WSL owns the copyright on all marketing materials written. If copyright is breached, WSL will take legal action.

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Quality Engineer

My client a blue chip company based in Stonehouse Gloucestershire are a leader in technical solutions to the oil & gas drilling sectors.
Due to continuous growth they are currently recruiting a Quality Technician.

As a Quality Technician your duties will be as follows:
-To investigate product Quality problems and suggest Corrective and Preventive actions to be taken.
-To control the Discrepant Material Report (DMR) process, i.e. to ensure DMR is actioned by all parties in a timely manner;
-To monitor and maintain reports of DMR activity and to ensure Suppliers Corrective/Preventive action is effective.
-To provide back up with the Inspection of mechanical parts and assemblies. Liaise and supervise sub contract measurement where needed.

Qualifications & Skills
-You will be apprentice served, hold an HNC or HND and have previous Quality/Inspection experience.
-Experience of CMM is preferred
-Must be computer literate, able to generate reports from Excel etc.
-Be able to work with minimum supervision and be able to communicate well with Engineers and Suppliers.
-Working on discrepant materials which will involve chasing suppliers and people to avoid future reoccurrence.
-Need to be PC literate to produce excel reports and communicate well with engineers and suppliers

In return my client offers a competitive salary, 35-40hr weeks on straight days, private health care, pension and additional benefits.

For more information regarding this role please call Kris Smith on 01453 829535 or send a CV to kris.smith@omegaresource.co.uk
Omega Resource Group Plc is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Omega Resource Group Plc is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

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Sales and Marketing Geophysicist - EJL/WS/1000

Open To: EU Nationals or UK work permit holders

Package: The Company is open to hiring a Sales Professional OR a Data Processing specialist with a desire to take on this commercial role. As such, a highly competitive Base Salary plus Bonus and Company benefits package is on offer dependent on skills and experience., plus 25 days holiday, pension, gym sponsorship, medical cover, etc… In addition, the Company operate an annual Bonus Scheme.

Job Overview: Working for a leading global oil services Company, offering a broad range of services such as seismic data acquisition, processing, reservoir analysis/interpretation and multi-client library datasets, you will support their Europe, Africa and CIS data processing sales. Applicants are invited with a proven sales background in data processing OR a seismic processing background, excellent communication skills and the ambition and desire to progress their career in a sale and marketing role. The role offers great career potential for a candidate interested in developing their commercial, business & technical knowledge of the oil and gas industry, and for further advancing their career. The Company is fully committed to providing training in all aspects of their data processing and the sales life cycle for non-sales professionals…The Company offers a broad portfolio of seismic processing service providing accurate and high-end processing solutions...The Company envisage that you would spend 2-3 years in this role and thereafter develop your career further in a technical or commercial role. Requirements: Degree…3 years seismic processing… previous Sales/Business Development OR data processing with the desire to take on a client facing commercial role….Great career prospects working for a Company with world-class technology, customers and partners.

To review the full job spec and apply, go to the Web Site www.working-smart.co.uk. Select ‘Candidates’ ‘Review Jobs’ and apply online OR alternatively, you can forward your CV electronically to info@working-smart.co.uk, detailing the job title and reference number. We would also suggest that you forward a Cover Letter focused on your experience in line with the requirements specified.

Copyright © Working Smart 2012

WSL owns the copyright on all marketing materials written. If copyright is breached, WSL will take legal action.

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Reliability Engineer

My Client is a world leader in the provision of highly advanced technical solutions to the Oil & Gas drilling sectors. They are currently looking for a Reliability Engineer to join their team based at their modern fit for purpose facility. Candidates will have the opportunity to work in an environment where investment is continuous and substantial, technology is leading edge, teamwork is at the forefront of all they do and personal development is encouraged at every stage. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a company that pride themselves on delivering high quality superior products to their sector.

Reliability Engineer:

-Previous and proven experience working with FMECA in order to the design of highly technical electro-mechanical systems for use in the oil & gas industry.
-A suitable candidate will have previously worked with Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) as well as Reliability centred maintenance
-It is essential that candidates are degree qualified in a relevant discipline i.e. engineering, science
-Ideally a candidate will have sound knowledge of design principles

For more information regarding this role please call Kris Smith on 01453 829535 or send a CV to kris.smith@omegaresource.co.uk
Omega Resource Group Plc is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Omega Selection Services are an employment agency specialising in opportunities at all levels within the Engineering, Aerospace, Automotive, Electronics, Defence, Scientific, Oil & Gas, Construction and Manufacturing sectors.
We are always seeking Engineering Staff, Senior Managers, Skilled and Semi Skilled Machinists, Mechanical Fitters, Electrical Fitters, Quality Engineers, Materials Science Engineers, Maintenance Engineers, Electronics Engineers, Test Technicians, Technical Authors, Electricians and Laboratory Technicians to name but a few.
For details of other opportunities available within your chosen field please visit our website www.omegaresource.co.uk
Omega Resource Group Plc is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

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Offshore Rigger

Position: Offshore Rigger
Location: Aberdeen (Offshore - North Sea)
Type: Contract
Rate: £Negotiable

My Client currently requires a large number of qualified Offshore Riggers for multiple shutdowns/upgrades/maintenance projects in the North Sea.
This is an exciting opportunity for Riggers with offshore experience in the North Sea to work for my Client; one of the World's leading Offshore Operators.

Requirements:
- Level 3 NVQ/SVQ or equivalent in Rigging / Lifting / Construction or a related discipline, is desired.
- Stage 3 Rigging Assessment
- Offshore Certification (Survival, Medical, MIST)
- Previous offshore experience in the North Sea

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