• In a single year, FracFocus has made a national impact from the Beltway to the Bakken. During this time, more than 200 energy-producing companies have registered over 15,000 well sites through FracFocus.

    This success is the result of nationally recognized organizations working with the oil and natural gas industry to provide public transparency. Learn more and see highlights from the first year of FracFocus.

    Learn More
  • This technique uses a specially blended liquid which is pumped into a well under extreme pressure causing cracks in rock formations underground. These cracks in the rock then allow oil and natural gas to flow, increasing resource production.

    Learn More About Casing
  • Casing is the multiple layers of steel and cement inside the drilled hole used to protect water aquifers. The specific length, thickness, strength and composition of casing is regulated at the state level.

    Learn More About Casing
    Illustration Courtesy of the Texas Oil & Gas Association.
  • Use the interactive map to find regulations per state as well as contact information for groundwater protection and oil and natural gas production.

    Find Regulations Now

Groundwater Protection: Priority Number One

Oil and natural gas producers have stringent requirements for how wells must be completed. The genesis of these requirements is water safety.

Casing is the first line of defense used to protect freshwater aquifers.

More About Groundwater Protection »


Find Well

Search for nearby well sites that have been hydraulically fractured to see what chemicals were used in the process.

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FAQs
  • Is my groundwater safe to use?

    This depends upon many factors including:

    1. The level of chemicals in the groundwater; whether naturally occurring or introduced. (NOTE: The Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for drinking water was established by the EPA and can be found on their website at: http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/index.cfm .  It is important to note, however, that not all chemicals, compounds or elements have an MCL.  For example natural gas does not have an MCL; and
    2. Your individual tolerance to some chemicals.  While some chemicals such as Benzene can be toxic to everyone in quantities as low as a few parts per billion, the toxicity of other additives depends upon the individual.  For example, some people are sensitive to Sodium due to conditions like high blood pressure.  Consequently, a tolerable level of sodium for them might be lower than for a person without a similar condition.  However, only you and your doctor can determine a safe level of exposure for you.  To see a more comprehensive evaluation of chemical toxicity you should visit the website of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Integrated Risk Assessment System (IRIS); and
    3. The use to which the groundwater is put (e.g. will it be used for human consumption, livestock consumption, irrigation, washing or bathing etc…). 

    The best way to determine if your groundwater is fit for its intended use is to have it analyzed by an accredited laboratory for all constituents of concern and to have that analysis evaluated by a qualified professional such as a toxicologist.  You can often obtain a list of accredited laboratories from your County Extension Agent, State Water Quality Agency or local Health Department.

     

  • How can my company become a FracFocus participating company and begin entering records?

    To become a “FracFocus” participating company please follow the instructions below:

     •     Open the website www.hydraulicfracturingdisclosure.org 

         Click on Register in the menu on the right hand side of the home page

         Complete the form and submit

         Wait for a confirmation e-mail

         Establish yourself as a Supervisor and a Data Submitter

         Assign other Supervisors and Data Submitters (as necessary)

         Download the Excel template

         Begin entering and submitting records

    Please note that only 1 representative per company is allowed but any number of supervisors and data submitters can be approved.  At present, representatives must work for the company that is to be registered.  For security reasons, the system cannot accommodate third party agents.

    You can obtain further information about registration and system usage from the Quick How To Guide

  • The operator name on the well list does not match the name of the operator on the fracturing record. Can you tell me why?

    The name of the operator on the well list is based on the name used to register the company in the FracFocus system.  However, companies sometimes operate through subsidiaries.  For example Anadarko Petroleum Corporation purchased Kerr Mcgee and still operates wells under the Kerr Mcgee name.  Regardless of the name of the operator on the fracturing record the operator name on the list reflects the name of the FracFocus participating company.

All FAQs »

4/24/2013 FracFocus Responds to Harvard Study

On April 23, 2013 we were made aware of a study released by Harvard University in which they assert that FracFocus is not a good tool for regulatory purposes.

Ground Water Protection Council Interstate Oil and Gas