CONSOL Energy values the responsible use of our land and other
natural resources as we work to power the nation. Throughout the
Marcellus Shale, we have achieved strong operational efficiencies,
while at the same time protecting the environment and the
communities we serve.
The Marcellus Shale has the potential to sustain our country's
energy needs for decades. A tested, proven technology called
hydraulic fracturing allows us to access the natural gas. A mixture
of water, sand and exceptionally diluted additives - many of them
ingredients regularly found in common household products - is used
in the process. When use of the water-based mixture is complete,
CONSOL Energy recycles and reuses it to reduce our volume of
wastewater for proper disposal.
CONSOL Energy voluntarily discloses the composition of the
hydraulic fracturing fluid used in our Marcellus Shale
operations.
On average, 99.5% of
fracturing fluids are comprised of freshwater and compounds are
injected into deep shale gas formations and are typically confined
by many thousands of feet or rock layers.
| Compound* |
Purpose |
Common Application |
| Acids |
Helps dissolve minerals and initiate fissure in rock
(pre-fracture) |
Swimming pool cleaner |
| Glutaraldehyde |
Eliminates bacteria in the water |
Disinfectant; Sterilizer for medical and dental equipment |
| Sodium Chloride |
Allows a delayed break down of the gel polymer chains |
Table Salt |
| N, n-Dimethyl formamide |
Prevents the corrosion of the pipe |
Used in pharmaceuticals, acrylic fibers and plastics |
| Borate salts |
Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases |
Used in laundry detergents, hand soaps and cosmetics |
| Polyacrylamide |
Minimizes friction between fluid and pipe |
Water treatment, soil conditioner |
| Petroleum distillates |
"Slicks" the water to minimize friction |
Make-up remover, laxatives, and candy |
| Guar gum |
Thickens the water to suspend the sand |
Thickener used in cosmetics, baked goods, ice cream,
toothpaste, sauces, and salad dressing |
| Citric Acid |
Prevents precipitation of metal oxides |
Food additive; food and beverages; lemon juice |
| Potassium chloride |
Creates a brine carrier fluid |
Low sodium table salt substitute |
| Ammonium bisulfite |
Removes oxygen from the water to protect the pipe from
corrosion |
Cosmetics, food and beverage processing, water treatment |
| Sodium or potassium carbonate |
Maintains the e#ectiveness of other components, such as
crosslinkers |
Washing soda, detergents, soap, water softener, glass and
ceramics |
| Proppant |
Allows the fissures to remain open so the gas can escape |
Drinking water filtration, play sand |
| Ethylene glycol |
Prevents scale deposits in the pipe |
Automotive antifreeze, household cleansers, deicing, and
caulk |
| Isopropanol |
Used to increase the viscosity of the fracture fluid |
Glass cleaner, antiperspirant, and hair color |
CONSOL Energy submitted the following reports to the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection: