Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, the two key enabling technologies, have opened up new locations for oil and gas exploitation, with a special focus on natural gas reserves such as shale, coalbed, and tight sands.
Fremont, CA: Hydraulic fracturing creates fissures in the rock formation that allow natural gas or oil to flow more freely, increasing the amount of gas or oil that may be retrieved. Wells can be dug hundreds to thousands of feet below the surface, with horizontal or directional sections that extend thousands of feet.
Natural gas production through hydraulic fracturing
Hydraulic fracturing is a method for producing "unconventional" gas. Only a unique stimulation technique, like hydraulic fracturing or other particular recovery procedure and technology, can cost-effectively generate gas from "unconventional" sources. This is frequently due to the gas being widely spread throughout the rock rather than being concentrated underground.
Unconventional gas extraction is a relatively new technology. Production of coalbed methane began in the 1980s, and shale gas extraction is even more recent. Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, the two key enabling technologies, have opened up new locations for oil and gas exploitation, with a special focus on natural gas reserves such as shale, coalbed, and tight sands.
Shale Gas Extraction
In the United States, shale rock formations have become a major source of natural gas. Shale gas can be found in various parts of the contiguous United States, including sites where no oil or gas has ever been produced.
Production of Coalbed Methane
Coalbed methane (CBM) was first removed from coal mines as a safety precaution to avoid explosions caused by methane gas. Methane is now trapped and used as an energy source. To liberate natural gas from deeper coal deposits, hydraulic fracturing may be required.
Tight Sands
Tight sands are low-permeability, gas-bearing, fine-grained sandstones or carbonates. Almost all tight sand reservoirs require hydraulic fracturing to liberate gas unless natural fractures exist.
