Steps in the Fracking Process Essay Example for Free

Steps in the Fracking Process Essay Step 6: Once the drilling gets about 500 feet above the shale formation, a downhole drilling motor with sophisticated measuring instruments begins the angle drilling creating a new horizontal path into the shale formation. Step 6: Once the drilling gets about 500 feet above the shale formation, a downhole drilling motor with sophisticated measuring instruments begins the angle drilling creating a new horizontal path into the shale formation. Step 4: The cement and casing are then pressure tested to ensure hydrocarbons and other fluids don’t seep out. Step 4: The cement and casing are then pressure tested to ensure hydrocarbons and other fluids don’t seep out. Step 3: Cement is then poured into this tubing throughout, displacing any remaining fluids and securing the casing in place. Step 3: Cement is then poured into this tubing throughout, displacing any remaining fluids and securing the casing in place. Step 2: The drill pipe and bit are removed and a steel â€Å"surface casing† tube is inserted into the well which stabilizes the well sides, creating a barrier. Step 2: The drill pipe and bit are removed and a steel â€Å"surface casing† tube is inserted into the well which stabilizes the well sides, creating a barrier. Step 1: Vertical well begins to be drilled with a drill pipe and drill bit past the ground water level a few thousand feet down. Step 1: Vertical well begins to be drilled with a drill pipe and drill bit past the ground water level a few thousand feet down. Steps In The Fracking Process Step 5: Both the drill pipe and drill bit are put back into the well and the drilling continues. Another layer of casing and cement is added for a second permanent behavior. The whole vertical drilling process costs about $663,000 Step 5: Both the drill pipe and drill bit are put back into the well and the drilling continues. Another layer of casing and cement is added for a second permanent behavior. The whole vertical drilling process costs about $663,000 Step 10: bridge plugs are inserted behind the fractures and the perforating tool continues to move backwards in the well whiles plugs are inserted behind each puncture in the shale. The entire fracturing process takes about $2.5 million. Step 10: bridge plugs are inserted behind the fractures and the perforating tool continues to move backwards in the well whiles plugs are inserted behind each puncture in the shale. The entire fracturing process takes about $2.5 million. Step 11: Plugs are then removed once all of the horizontal well has been punctured and the gas flows to the top of the well. Step 11: Plugs are then removed once all of the horizontal well has been punctured and the gas flows to the top of the well. Although we weren’t able to find exact figures for each of the steps, we did find that the entire process from beginning to end costs about $7 million dollars. Although we weren’t able to find exact figures for each of the steps, we did find that the entire process from beginning to end costs about $7 million dollars. Step 7: Once the desired horizontal path is at the desired length, the drill pipe and bit are removed and the casing and cement layers continue to the end of the well. The whole horizontal drilling process costs about $1.2 million. Step 7: Once the desired horizontal path is at the desired length, the drill pipe and bit are removed and the casing and cement layers continue to the end of the well. The whole horizontal drilling process costs about $1.2 million. Step 9: The tool is removed and fracturing fluid enters the well. The sand creates fractures in the shale and the fluid leaves with the sand remains in the fractures allowing the gas to flow into the well. Step 9: The tool is removed and fracturing fluid enters the well. The sand creates fractures in the shale and the fluid leaves with the sand remains in the fractures allowing the gas to flow into the well. Step 8: A perforating tool is inserted creating holes in the shale layer allowing hydrocarbons to the well stream. Step 8: A perforating tool is inserted creating holes in the shale layer allowing hydrocarbons to the well stream.