Filtration and separation technologies can be found in a multitude of applications and are essential processes in many industries. Some of these can be in the most extreme of conditions, both for the materials and equipment and those who operate them. None of these industries provides more challenges than the oil and gas industry. While many forms of energy -old and new - are now in the global energy mix, oil and gas still remain crucial to the energy needs of the world in 2013.
Indeed the development of previously untapped shale gas reserves is currently providing a considerable boost to the economy of the United States. Ten years ago, shale gas was relatively unheard of. Now it accounts for around a quarter of domestic natural gas production. In turn this has provided many beneficial effects for the downstream petrochemicals industry in the US. So why isn’t this success story being replicated elsewhere when shale gas reserves have been identified in many parts of the world? The reason is that its method of production – hydraulic fracturing or fracking - is controversial.
Natural gas is held in shale formations simply because the pores in the rock are too small to allow sufficient mobility. The key to its release is hydraulic fracturing of the rock, coupled with the ability to drill horizontally for considerable distances through the shale formations. The hydraulic fluid, which is mainly water, is formulated with a quantity of fine slid particles, which remain in the rock’s fissures after fracturing, keeping them open for gas flow. The technique has been around for a while, however, an improved ability to steer drill bits using conventional technology has now made horizontal fracking cost-effective.
However, detractors cite instances of seismic activity and inflammable water supplies, among a number of other environmental considerations, as reasons to be hostile or at the very least cautious to further development. Bans exist in certain countries, such as France, while the United Kingdom has recently allowed small-scale exploitation to resume under strict guidelines and stringent monitoring of environmental effects.
Only time will tell if the shale gas revolution will take off outside the United States.
However, if the necessary safeguards are in place, then the filtration industry is sure to play a major role. Fracking involves large amounts of water. For a sustainable future, this water requires recovering, treating and, in many instances, reusing. The treatment of produced waters in the conventional oil and gas is a major activity of suppliers of filtration and separation equipment for the oil and gas industry. While already big business in the United States, the potential growth in this market will be significant for the filtration industry if shale gas gets the go ahead in other parts of the world.
For further information on the ways filtration influences the oil and gas industry -
http://www.filtsep.com/blog/2013/2/25/oil-and-gas-top-10-features/813.aspx