Common Hydraulic Fracturing Equipment
Although hydraulic fracturing, or fracing, operations take a relatively short amount of time to complete, the process requires the use of advanced technology and a variety of equipment. From data monitoring to frac blenders and pumps, this highly developed and monitored process involves a flurry of activities.
Simplified Steps In Hydraulic Fracturing
1. Water, sand and additives are pumped at extremely high pressures down the wellbore.
2. The liquid goes through perforated sections of the wellbore and into the surrounding formation, fracturing the rock and injecting sand or proppants into the cracks to hold them open.
3. Experts continually monitor and gauge pressures, fluids and proppants, studying how the sand reacts when it hits the bottom of the wellbore, slowly increasing the density of sand to water as the frac progresses.
4. This process may be repeated multiple times, in “stages” to reach maximum areas of the wellbore. When this is done, the wellbore is temporarily plugged between each stage to maintain the highest water pressure possible and get maximum fracturing results in the rock.
5. The frac plugs are drilled or removed from the wellbore and the well is tested for results.
6. The water pressure is reduced and fluids are returned up the wellbore for disposal or treatment and re-use, leaving the sand in place to prop open the cracks and allow the gas to flow.
