Fracturing Ingredients

In addition to water and sand, other additives are used in fracturing fluids to allow fracturing to be performed in a safe and effective manner. Additives used in hydraulic fracturing fluids include a number of compounds found in common consumer products.

Example of Typical Deep Shale Fracturing Mixture Makeup

A representation showing the percent by volume composition of typical deep shale gas hydraulic fracture components (see graphic) reveals that more than 99% of the fracturing mixture is comprised of freshwater and sand. This mixture is injected into deep shale gas formations and is typically confined by many thousands of feet of rock layers.

Fracturing Ingredients
Product Category Main Ingredient Purpose Other Common Uses
Water 99.5%
water & sand		 Expand fracture and deliver sand Landscaping and manufacturing
Sand Allows the fractures to remain open so the gas can escape Drinking water filtration, play sand, concrete and brick mortar
Other approximately 0.5%
Acid Hydrochloric acid or muriatic acid Helps dissolve minerals and initiate cracks in the rock Swimming pool chemical and cleaner
Antibacterial agent Glutaraldehyde Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive by-products Disinfectant; Sterilizer for medical and dental equipment
Breaker Ammonium persulfate Allows a delayed break down of the gel Used in hair coloring, as a disinfectant, and in the manufacture of common household plastics
Corrosion inhibitor n,n-dimethyl formamide Prevents the corrosion of the pipe Used in pharmaceuticals, acrylic fibers and plastics
Crosslinker Borate salts Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases Used in laundry detergents, hand soaps and cosmetics
Friction reducer Petroleum distillate “Slicks” the water to minimize friction Used in cosmetics including hair, make-up, nail and skin products
Gel Guar gum or hydroxyethyl cellulose Thickens the water in order to suspend the sand Thickener used in cosmetics, baked goods, ice cream, toothpaste, sauces and salad dressings
Iron control Citric acid Prevents precipitation of metal oxides Food additive; food and beverages; lemon juice ~7% citric acid
Clay stabilizer Potassium chloride Creates a brine carrier fluid Used in low-sodium table salt substitute, medicines and IV fluids
pH adjusting agent Sodium or potassium carbonate Maintains the effectiveness of other components, such as crosslinkers Used in laundry detergents, soap, water softener and dishwasher detergents
Scale inhibitor Ethylene glycol Prevents scale deposits in the pipe Used in household cleansers, de-icer, paints and caulk
Surfactant Isopropanol Used to increase the viscosity of the fracture fluid Used in glass cleaner, multi-surface cleansers, antiperspirant, deodorants and hair color

Click here to see specific fracturing ingredients being used in the state of New York. Please note, that while this information is specific to New York, it is comparable to operations throughout the country.