What Chemicals Are Used

Chemical additives perform many functions within fracture fluids. A Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Number is a unique identifier for chemical substances. The CAS is a division of the American Chemical Society that is responsible for the administration, quality assurance and maintenance of the CAS registry. A CAS Number itself has no inherent chemical significance but provides an unambiguous way to identify a chemical substance or molecular structure when there are many possible systematic, generic, proprietary or trade names. The number of chemical additives used in a typical fracture treatment depends on the conditions, such as depth or location, of the specific well being fractured and the characteristics of the formation, such as thickness and type of rock. A typical fracture treatment will use very low concentrations of between 3 and 12 additive chemicals, depending on the characteristics of the water and the rock formation being fractured. Each component serves a specific, engineered purpose.

Product FunctionChemical NameCASChemical Purpose
AcidHydrochloric Acid007647-01-0Helps dissolve minerals and initiate cracks in the rock
BiocideGlutaraldehyde000111-30-8Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive by-products
Ammonium Chloride012125-02-9Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive by-products
Quaternary Ammonium Chloride061789-71-1Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive by-products
Tetrakis Hydroxymethyl-Phosphonium Sulphate055566-30-8Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive by-products
BreakerAmmonium Persulphate007727-54-0Allows a delayed break down of the gel
Sodium Chloride007647-14-5Product Stabilizer
Magnesium Peroxide014452-57-4Allows a delayed break down of the gel
Magnesium Oxide001309-48-4Allows a delayed break down of the gel
Calcium Chloride010043-52-4Product Stabilizer
Clay StabilizerCholine Chloride000067-48-1Prevents clays from swelling or shifting
Tetramethyl ammonium chloride000075-57-0Prevents clays from swelling or shifting
Sodium Chloride007647-14-5Prevents clays from swelling or shifting
Corrosion InhibitorIsopropanol000067-63-0Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent
Methanol000067-56-1Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent
Formic Acid000064-18-6Prevents the corrosion of the pipe
Acetaldehyde000075-07-0Prevents the corrosion of the pipe
CrosslinkerPetroleum Distillate064741-85-1Carrier fluid for borate or zirconate crosslinker
Hydrotreated Light Petroleum Distillate064742-47-8Carrier fluid for borate or zirconate crosslinker
Potassium Metaborate013709-94-9Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases
Triethanolamine Zirconate101033-44-7Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases
Sodium Tetraborate001303-96-4Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases
Boric Acid001333-73-9Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases
Zirconium Complex113184-20-6Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases
Borate SaltsN/AMaintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases
Ethylene Glycol000107-21-1Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Methanol000067-56-1Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Friction ReducerPolyacrylamide009003-05-8“Slicks” the water to minimize friction
Petroleum Distillate064741-85-1Carrier fluid for polyacrylamide friction reducer
Hydrotreated Light Petroleum Distillate064742-47-8Carrier fluid for polyacrylamide friction reducer
Methanol000067-56-1Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Ethylene Glycol000107-21-1Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Gelling AgentGuar Gum009000-30-0Thickens the water in order to suspend the sand
Petroleum Distillate064741-85-1Carrier fluid for guar gum in liquid gels
Hydrotreated Light Petroleum Distillate064742-47-8Carrier fluid for guar gum in liquid gels
Methanol000067-56-1Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Polysaccharide Blend068130-15-4Thickens the water in order to suspend the sand
Ethylene Glycol000107-21-1Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Iron ControlCitric Acid000077-92-9Prevents precipitation of metal oxides
Acetic Acid000064-19-7Prevents precipitation of metal oxides
Thioglycolic Acid000068-11-1Prevents precipitation of metal oxides
Sodium Erythorbate006381-77-7Prevents precipitation of metal oxides
Non-EmulsifierLauryl Sulphate000151-21-3Used to prevent the formation of emulsions in the fracture fluid
Isopropanol000067-63-0Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Ethylene Glycol000107-21-1Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
pH Adjusting AgentSodium Hydroxide001310-73-2Adjusts the pH of fluid to maintains the effectiveness of other components, such as crosslinkers
Potassium Hydroxide001310-58-3Adjusts the pH of fluid to maintains the effectiveness of other components, such as crosslinkers
Acetic Acid000064-19-7Adjusts the pH of fluid to maintains the effectiveness of other components, such as crosslinkers
Sodium Carbonate000497-19-8Adjusts the pH of fluid to maintains the effectiveness of other components, such as crosslinkers
Potassium Carbonate000584-08-7Adjusts the pH of fluid to maintains the effectiveness of other components, such as crosslinkers
Scale InhibitorCopolymer of Acrylamide and Sodium Acrylate025987-30-8Prevents scale deposits in the pipe
Sodium PolycarboxylateN/APrevents scale deposits in the pipe
Phosphonic Acid SaltN/APrevents scale deposits in the pipe
SurfactantLauryl Sulphate000151-21-3Used to increase the viscosity of the fracture fluid
Ethanol000064-17-5Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Naphthalene000091-20-3Carrier fluid for the active surfactant ingredients
Methanol000067-56-1Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Isopropyl Alcohol000067-63-0Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
2-Butoxyethanol000111-76-2Product stabilizer