Domestic demand for chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells will continue to surge through at least 2015, according to a report released Tuesday by industry research firm Freedonia Group.
U.S. demand for oilfield chemicals will swell more than 8 percent each year, the firm forecasts, reaching $13.6 billion in 2015. Of the major uses for chemicals in oil and gas production, well stimulation will see greatest demand growth, expanding by nearly 10 percent each year through 2015, according to the report.
Hydraulic fracturing is a form of well stimulation that uses chemicals, sand and massive amounts of water to open up rock deep underground and release the fossil fuels inside.
Rising oil prices and the shale rush boosted use of oilfield chemicals in recent years, the Freedonia report authors noted. Hydraulic fracturing is used in shale regions to force oil and natural gas from the dense rock, but has attracted the wrath of environmentalists who say it can contaminate drinking water.
Stimulation chemicals will make up nearly half of the oilfield chemical demand in 2015. In 2005, they were less than 40 percent of total oilfield chemical demand, according to the report.
The use of chemicals in U.S. oilfields has grown faster than Freedonia researchers predicted in the past. In a 2009 report, researchers forecast demand would grow 4.4 percent annually. In fact, demand has grown by about 7.8 percent, the group found.
simone.sebastian@chron.com
You guys keep showing that same picture. That is NOT a picture of a frack’n operation. That is a picture of the desanders on the mud pits.
It is embarassing how little the Houston paper understands the energy industry. The stock photo for hydraulic fracturing operations should always be tap water on fire.
Guys, it’s hopeless. The Chomical thinks “Energy” comes in 5-hour increments in little-bitty cans at the Stop ‘n Rob.
Richard, I’m not really sure what your issue is with this story, but I’d like to hear your thoughts.
OK, now THAT is a picture of a frac job.
Boo hoo, that is machinery used to manage sand that is used in the frac job, not an actual Frac itself… just like fracing doesn’t cause pollution (but failed cement/casing/well integrity does). I’m always amazed at how folks discredit people by nitpicking over semantics… howabout this, “That guy used improper english; therefore, he must not know anything about the english language”
Logical fallacies rule America.
Dan, I think what Richard wants is an underground video during the frac operation of the fractures propogating through the shale… now THAT would be a picture of a frac job. Maybe Richard would be kind enough to point you in the right direction…
They fixed the caption on the picture Dan, so that says they’re trying at least.