Contact us
[email protected] | |
3275638434 | |
Paper Publishing WeChat |
Useful Links
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Article
Author(s)
William C. Hutchings1 and Richard G. Lewis2
Full-Text PDF XML 547 Views
DOI:10.17265/2162-5298/2018.03.002
Affiliation(s)
1. Environmental Department, GHD Services Inc., Fort Myers 33901, USA
2. Lewis Solutions, Fort Myers 33907, USA
ABSTRACT
The variable-density flow model¾SEAWAT Version 4, was
used to evaluate the hydrogeological conditions associated with hydraulic fracturing
(fracking) the limestone oil reservoir in the Lower Cretaceous Sunniland Formation
of Southwest Florida. This research contributes to the understanding of the controls
on fluid and potential contaminant migration, following high pressure hydraulic
fracturing. A hydraulic fracturing treatment used recently in this formation at
the Collier-Hogan 20-3H well represents the base case simulation. Multiple
stage fracturing using typical stress periods, a modelled fracture zone radius,
and various injection rates were tested to evaluate the potential for horizontal
and vertical fluid migration in and from the reservoir under dynamic conditions,
with TDS used as a tracer. Hypothetical scenarios including preferential vertical
pathways between the Sunniland Formation and the Lower Floridan aquifer Boulder
Zone were also simulated. Results indicate that injected fluids do not migrate significantly
in the lateral and vertical directions beyond the design fractured zone, unless
a preferential pathway exists within close proximity to the fractured zone. In a
worst-case scenario under the simulated conditions, vertical heads are approximately
580 meters greater than static conditions and fluids associated with hydraulic fracturing
vertically migrate approximately 500 meters; therefore, the quality of the deepest
sources of drinking water is not compromised. Analytical
results from a monitoring well installed in the immediate vicinity of the Collier-Hogan
20-3H well and at the base of the deepest source of drinking water support the conclusion
that impacts from hydraulic fracturing fluids have not migrated into the deepest
sources of drinking water.
KEYWORDS
Hydraulic fracturing, Sunniland Formation, fluid migration.
Cite this paper
References