Publications

Hydraulic fracturing or otherwise known as “fracking” is a technology to improve production in the oil and gas industry by injecting a high pressure water mixture to create fissures in low permeability reservoirs i.e. shale. This combined technology of both hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling has a powerful ability to improve production especially in the unconventional oil and gas energy but it encounters environmental issues especially in contaminating both the aquifer and surface water. The objective of this study is to explain the potential for water contamination in relation to hydraulic fracturing. Literature reviews of previous studies on shale gas operation have been used. A chemical additive is used in hydraulic fracturing and injected to subsurface. Each chemical has its own function and purpose in improving production. Some of this fracking fluid mixture will also return to the surface with hydrocarbons or formation water along with any other chemical creating the wastewaters. Faulty seal in the annulus could allow methane leakage. Potential contamination could be derived from injection water spill, surface wastewater spill, and also contamination by the hydrocarbon itself to groundwater. Advanced research is necessary in order to clearly understand the mechanism of contamination especially in methane leakage. Keywords: shale gas, hydraulic fracturing, environment