Long before the media scrutiny and environmental activism surrounding hydraulic fracturing surfaced, the industry was seeking to develop environmentally friendly fracturing fluids. The “Holy Grail” objective of frac fluid research and development long has been technology that is natural, biodegradable, and intrinsically safe for the environment while simultaneously enhancing fracture effectiveness and long-term well performance.
A prime example of the type of next-generation “green” chemistry solutions being applied in hydraulic fracturing operations is a new complex nanofluid that replaces conventional surfactants, and is built around a completely natural and renewable citrus base. Based on nanoparticle engineering and using a food-grade orange oil termed d-limonene, the product is eminently sustainable, offers an extremely friendly environmental score card, and substantially improves post-stimulation well productivity.
In fact, the Green Check organization has approved the nanoparticle technology for stringent North Sea regulations for all ecotoxicology categories, including biodegradability, bioaccumulation, and aquatic toxicity to fish, crustaceans and algae. It contains no priority pollutants under the U.S. Clean Water Act, and there are no known or suspected carcinogens, halogens, ozone depleting chemicals, petroleum or benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, or xylene products.
Field results of the new stimulation fluid have been nothing short of spectacular, and well productivity improvements have been documented in several basins. The nanotechnology illustrates the “win/win” potential of leveraging advanced frac fluid chemistry that improves environmental performance while improving production results.