Closed loop system
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| Revision as of 19:23, 22 February 2010 Tcopley (Talk | contribs) (Chesapeake using closed loop systems to recycle Marcellus shale waste water) ← Previous diff |
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| - | A '''closed loop system''' consists of using a small waste-water processing system on the well site. It removes pollutants from the [[Hydro-fracturing|frac]] water as well as additional water that may also be present in the formation itself--all of which [[Flowback water|flows back up a well]]. Solids extracted from the water by this processing method are removed by truck to a waste treatment station for disposal. Treated water that remains after on-site processing may then be reused on a later frac job. Typically, up to 50 percent of the frac water can be recovered and reused. It can be reused up to a dozen times without treatment. | + | A '''closed loop system''' consists of using a small waste-water processing system on the well site. It removes pollutants from the [[Hydro-fracturing|frac]] water as well as [[Produced water|additional water]] that may also be present in the formation itself--all of which [[Flowback water|flows back up a well]]. |
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| + | [[Waste water]] is pumped directly into steel storage containers and held for processing. | ||
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| + | Solids extracted from the water by this method are removed by truck to a waste treatment station for disposal. Treated water that remains after on-site processing may then be reused on a later frac job. Typically, up to 50 percent of the frac water can be recovered and reused. It can be reused up to a dozen times without treatment. | ||
| Less waste water needs to be moved off site, and less water is required for additional drilling operations. This method generally lowers total drilling cost, as well as the amount of water used and its cost. It also contributes to higher drill rates which provides cost savings. | Less waste water needs to be moved off site, and less water is required for additional drilling operations. This method generally lowers total drilling cost, as well as the amount of water used and its cost. It also contributes to higher drill rates which provides cost savings. | ||
| According to a news item that appeared in February, 2010 [[Chesapeake Energy]], the most active driller in the [[Marcellus shale]], has frequently used closed loop systems for handling drilling [[Waste water|waste water]] in its [[Pennsylvania]] operations. | According to a news item that appeared in February, 2010 [[Chesapeake Energy]], the most active driller in the [[Marcellus shale]], has frequently used closed loop systems for handling drilling [[Waste water|waste water]] in its [[Pennsylvania]] operations. | ||
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| + | In November, 2010 [[Chief Oil and Gas]] announced that it too had switched to closed loop for all of its wells. | ||
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| + | [[Category:Drilling practices]] | ||
Current revision
A closed loop system consists of using a small waste-water processing system on the well site. It removes pollutants from the frac water as well as additional water that may also be present in the formation itself--all of which flows back up a well.
Waste water is pumped directly into steel storage containers and held for processing.
Solids extracted from the water by this method are removed by truck to a waste treatment station for disposal. Treated water that remains after on-site processing may then be reused on a later frac job. Typically, up to 50 percent of the frac water can be recovered and reused. It can be reused up to a dozen times without treatment.
Less waste water needs to be moved off site, and less water is required for additional drilling operations. This method generally lowers total drilling cost, as well as the amount of water used and its cost. It also contributes to higher drill rates which provides cost savings.
According to a news item that appeared in February, 2010 Chesapeake Energy, the most active driller in the Marcellus shale, has frequently used closed loop systems for handling drilling waste water in its Pennsylvania operations.
In November, 2010 Chief Oil and Gas announced that it too had switched to closed loop for all of its wells.
