LEARN
FAQ

Home Learn FAQ


    I am an Operator and need to submit disclosures...

    As an operator you should review the FAQ's specific to Operators and follow the instructions on the Operator page.


    • Click 'For Operators' in the top right corner of the screen to read more on the operator submission process and training.
    • Click 'Operator FAQ' on the For Operators page to help you in registration and doing submissions.


    I just upgraded to a new browser and I am having trouble. What can I do?

    After the upgrade of a browser unexpected issues may occur when working with a data site. Running in compatibility mode with the new browser may be necessary for a period of time. If you have recently upgraded your browser software please review the default configuration of the browser to see if you can identify the issues that may be causing your problem.



    Are the records from FracFocus available in a digital format such as Excel?

    Yes. Since 2015 a data download in SQL format has been available on FracFocus. As of 2017 an additional data download in .csv format became available.



    I know there are wells in my area that have been fractured, but when I search for them I get no results. Why?

    The most likely reasons are that either the wells were fractured before January 1, 2011, or they have not yet been entered into the system. Only wells fractured after January 1, 2011, will be entered into the system. Please keep checking back, as wells are added on a daily basis.



    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.



    Where does the water used in hydraulic fracturing come from?

    It comes from many sources including surface water bodies such as ponds, lakes, and streams, municipal authorities, groundwater wells, and 'produced water' (water that comes to the surface during oil and gas production).



    A term in the website is unfamiliar to me. Where can I go to get more information?

    One of the best glossaries of oil and gas terms is available on the web through Schlumberger Inc. (https://glossary.oilfield.slb.com/) You can use the alphabetical listing to select the first letter of the term you are looking for and scroll through the list of terms to find it. This site contains over 4600 oil and gas related terms.



    What is hydraulic fracturing?

    Hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as fracking, is the process of creating small cracks, or fractures, in underground geological formations to facilitate the flow of natural gas to the wellbore.



    Can hydraulic fracturing fluid migrate into a fresh groundwater zone?

    Fracturing fluids can enter a fresh groundwater zone if there is sufficient bottom hole pressure to raise the fluid level from the fractured zone to the fresh groundwater zone, and there is a conduit through which the fluid can flow such as an open space between the casing and the formation. Fluids may also enter fresh groundwater if there is a hole in the casing above the depth of the groundwater zone and the cement outside of the casing is not adequate to prevent fluid flow between the casing and the formation. Under normal circumstances hydraulic fracturing fluid is confined to the inside of the production casing, the formation being treated and nearby formations.



    What chemicals are being disclosed on this website?

    All chemicals that are used to hydraulically fracture a well except for those that are being held as trade secrets.



    How much water is used in hydraulic fracturing?

    This varies from well to well and depends upon the well configuration (vertical or horizontal), the number of stages fractured, and the specific characteristics of the formation being fractured. In vertical wells with a single fractured stage it is not uncommon to use less than 50,000 gallons of water during a fracture job, while a multi interval fracture job in a horizontal well can use several to tens of millions of gallons of water.



    Why are chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing?

    Chemicals are used for many purposes in hydraulic fracturing. Some chemicals are designed to inhibit bacterial growth. These are called biocides. Others make fluids flow down the casing more easily. These are called friction reducers. Without these and other chemicals, the effectiveness of the fracturing job would be limited.



    How deep is the typical fracture job?

    It depends upon the zone being fractured.



    Do states conduct ongoing testing of water wells and oil and gas well construction?

    It depends on the state. To determine if your state has a testing requirement you should contact your state oil and gas agency. Contacts for these agencies can be found at www.gwpc.org.



    How is water used in hydraulic fracturing?

    Water acts as the carrier fluid for the chemical additives and propping agents (typically sand) that are used to fracture the producing formation.



    Don't see your question here? Feel free to contact us at fracfocus@gwpc.org .

    For questions related to login or operator reporting go to Operator FAQ.



    FURTHER READING

    Ground Water Protection Council - Hydraulic Fracturing