002.Jack Tuschall

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How to Gather and Analyze Useful Frack Data Jack Tuschall, Ph.D. TestAmerica Laboratories

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How to Gather and AnalyzeUseful Frack Data

Jack Tuschall, Ph.D.TestAmerica Laboratories

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RISK = HAZARD + OUTRAGE

Peter Sandman

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What are the CommonEnvironmental Hazards?

Exposure of workers and public to harmfulairborne materials

Contamination of Drinking Water sources Disposal or discharge of waste flowback

water

Contamination of surface waters

Impact on Fish and Wildlife

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What Sources to Monitor?

Matrices to Evaluate:

Drinking Water

Surface waters

Drilling Spoils Flowback and Production Waters

Ambient and Source Air Emissions

Frack Fluids – including consideration of hazardouscomponents

Characterize site before and after drilling activities occur 

even if Regulations Don’t Require it 

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What Parameters to Monitor?

Select analyses that reflect the composition offluids used:

e.g., Anions (Cl, Br, Sulfate), metals,

surfactants, biocides, and light petroleumhydrocarbons.

and Character of Geological Formation Fracked.

e.g., Naturally Occurring RadiologicalMaterials (NORM), metals (Ba, Mg, B),dissolved gases (methane), petroleum oils.

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Examples of HazardousComponents of Frack Fluids

HCl

Boric Oxides

Boric Acid Sulfuric acid

Various alcohols

Glycol Ethers Gluteraldehyde

Acetic Anhydride

Mineral Spirits

Light Petroleum distillates

Methanol

Various proprietarycomponents

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Baseline Methane Sampling Priorto Drilling  – 4000 ft Radius

Baseline Methane Sampling - 4000 ft2 Radius from Well Pad XXXXX

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5

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      X      X      X      X   -     1

      X      X      X      X   -     2

      X      X      X      X   -     3

      X      X      X      X   -     4

      X      X      X      X   -     5

      X      X      X      X   -     6

      X      X      X      X   -     7

      X      X      X      X   -     8

      X      X      X      X   -     9

      X      X      X      X   -     1     0

      X      X      X      X   -     1     1

      X      X      X      X   -     1     2

      X      X      X      X   -     1     3

      X      X      X      X   -     1     4

      X      X      X      X   -     1     5

      X      X      X      X   -     1     6

Well Sample ID

   M   G   /   L   M  e   t   h  a  n  e

MG/L Methane

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Baseline Methane Sampling Prior toDrilling  – 4000 ft Radius

Blue: No Detection 

Green: < 3 mg/L

Yellow: 3-25 mg/L

Red: > 25 mg/L

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Why Not Just Focus onMeeting Regulations?

Federal and State Regulations still emerging

Future Regulations uncertain – will depend onseveral factors –

geography

public perceptions and pressure

demographics political climate

economics

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Field Samples – > Analysis – > Final Report

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Requirements for LaboratorySupport

Experience with unusual samples (highsalt brine 10x higher than seawater)

Track record with similar samples Able to produce rapid results when

necessary

Quality control samples to defend data Legally Defensible Data Reports

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Components of Quality Program

Quality Program – should be designed to ensurelaboratory data conforms to standards set by stateand federal regulations. Implemented throughSOPs.

Quality Control: specific components of analyticalprocess that collectively ensures tests conform toset standard limits. e.g., Blanks, LCS, MS/MSD, calibration verification, MDL

verification.

Control Limits for each QC item – report outcome on clientreports for transparency.

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Data Deliverables

Data reports may be reviewed by severalgroups

Internally and by your firm’s consultants

Regulators

Community groups

Industry watchdogs

Legal Counsel if lawsuits involved

Most will be looking for flaws in data 

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Key Components of Environmental Data

Accurate and reliable measurements

Reproducible data; reporting limits supported byblanks; anion/cation balance.

Report format that is legally defensible and ableto withstand diverse scrutiny.

Include calibration data and QC results in stand-alone

data package that holds up in court. Quality control samples within defined limits.

Solid technical responses to inquiries afterdelivery.

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A solid Analytical Strategy, designedspecifically to address the potential

environmental impact to local surroundings,will reduce the risk of drilling.