Hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) is a technique used to enhance the recovery of oil and gas from tight formations by injecting high-pressure fluids to create and propagate fractures in the reservoir rock. The fluid mixture typically contains water, proppants (such as sand), and a variety of chemical additives tailored to the specific geology of the well.
This white paper outlines the primary chemical constituents used in hydraulic fracturing, the expected composition of produced waters, and the associated equipment integrity issues, including corrosion from acid and solvent exposure. It concludes with a discussion of field-recognized visual indicators of such degradation and includes an addendum of visual references.