A new wesbite has been launched in the US to allow the public to track hydraulic fracturing chemicals used by local drilling companies.
The new site was launched by the Ground Water Protection Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and allows visitors to search for oil and gas drilling wells in their local area and track the chemicals that are being used in the "fracking" process.
As previously reported, the fracking debate has caused considerable controversy in the US and beyond as public concerns were raised about pollution of the water table. However, many of the drilling companies have already started to reveal the chemicals used in the process, which are used to release oil and gas trapped in rock formations.
According to IOGC Executive Director, Mike Smith, "the website will be a useful new tool to help the public learn about the hydraulic fracturing process." He added: "Our organizations have a responsibility to keep the public informed. We see this site as a step forward, and we expect it will evolve even more in the future.”
The site is launched at the same time as Canadian company, GASFRAC Energy Services, revealed its use of new fracking technology which involves gelling Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and injecting it, along with three additives, underground. Once the LPG has done its job, it returns to the surface as propane gas which is then captured, re-gelled and re-used in the fracking process.
As well demonstrating signficantly improved production rates over the 700 tests made at a pilot well in Texas, the new technology also removes the need for a 'settling pond' used to store conventional fracking fluids after use.