With the first month of 2012 nearly complete it has been interesting to look back at all of the improvements that transformed operations in the northeast Marcellus as they were widely adopted or improved. Closed-loop systems, advanced water recycling technologies, benign fracturing treatment technologies and increased economic growth for local economies were just some of the strides made last year to improve upon operations and benefit the communities where they are located. For 2012, full transparency of hydraulic fracturing treatments is already occuring and even wider implementation is a primary focus of all operators.

FracFocus.Org

One disclosure initiative that has been implemented widely  is  the voluntary online disclosure website FracFocus.org. This site, which is managed by the Groundwater Protection Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, is a  collaborative effort to provide complete disclosure of the components of  stimulation treatments used in the hydraulic fracturing process on a well by well basis. It also provides fact based information on hydraulic fracturing and the multiple protections in place to safeguard groundwater resources and the environment.

FracFocus is an informative resource where users can delve deeper into information on the technologies used in fracturing.  A further explanation can be found on the About section of the site, an excerpt of which is below:

Information available on the site is the same chemical disclosures provided to state regulatory agencies like the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.  However, it is kept and presented in an easy to use database format that is searchable by address, API well number or location. As of November 2011, over 7,000 wells were included in the system with eighty participating companies, including as of January 1, 2012, all full members of the Marcellus Shale Coalition. That means close to 100% of the companies operating in the Marcellus region are participating in the program!

Let’s Talk About It

FracFocus will be the highlight of an informative event being held next week at the Williamsport Community Arts Center to inform the public of this website, the information it contains and its capabilities to encourage familarity and use among the general public.

The event, entitled “Let’s Talk About It”, will be free and open to the public.  It is being sponsored by The American Natural Gas Alliance, The American Petroleum Institute, Energy In Depth, The Marcellus Shale Coalition, The Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association, FTS International, Halliburton & Universal Well Services.

The many organizations have come together to provide a unique and interactive two-part educational experience.

From 5:00 pm until 6:00 pm attendees can explore a Frac Control Van provided by Halliburton and Universal Well Services.  In addition, attendees will be able to visit with companies who provide fracturing services at varying parts of the process. Some of these representatives will even be bringing information on local employment opportunities.

Following this portion of the program,  attendees can participate in a panel presentation and question and answer session from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm, . Topics will include:

• FracFocus.org–learn what it is and how to use it
• The process of hydraulic fracturing and best practices of companies by Roger Willis, Universal Well Services
• The economic impact locally and nationally of this portion of the natural gas industry by John Felmy, the chief economist for the American Petroleum Institute
• Zach Ceplacha & Shawn Boyer, Environmental Engineers from FTS International, and Brandon Golden, Frac Manager and subject-matter expert with Halliburton, will also be present to answer any questions during the Q&A session.
• The event will be moderated by Tom Shepstone, our own EID Marcellus Campaign Manager.

So if you will be in the Williamsport, Pennsylvania area on January 25th, come out and learn about this much talked about process and exciting website. It should be a very educational and fun night, and just the beginning of what will be a major movement to educate local communities on the natural gas industry.

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