Extraction is at the forefront of the safe and responsible energy development that is revolutionizing U.S. energy security, as well as providing jobs and other economic benefits to local, state and federal governments.
Unconventional drilling requires the same basic steps to move a well from an idea through completion, production and reclamation.
The Energy Development Process
During this step, studies of the Earth’s subsurface are conducted to increase our understanding of the local geology. Geologists, engineers and other experts collaborate to identify a site that will ensure access to the targeted oil and gas reservoirs.
Sites are selected in consideration of several factors: safety, the surrounding environment, nearby property owners, and vehicle/pipeline access. By drilling multiple wells at a single location, Extraction is able to reduce the number of well-pad sites and in turn, reduce impact to the environment and inconvenience to the community.
It takes approximately five to seven days to drill a well. During this process, multiple layers of protective steel casing are cemented into the ground to ensure nothing can get into, or out of, the wellbore being drilled. These wells are on average 1.5 miles below the earth’s surface and more than a mile of impenetrable rock separates the oil and gas reservoirs from the potable water table.
After the drilling rig leaves, completion activities begin as soon as the equipment arrives and may take between three to five days per well. Each well is pressure tested before beginning completion activities to ensure the well is structurally sound. During this process a mixture of sand, water and a small proportion of other ingredients are pumped into the well to facilitate the release of oil and natural gas. For example, guar is a food ingredient used as a thickening agent in completion mixtures. It is also a main ingredient found in Jell-O and chewing gum. All ingredients used in hydraulic fracturing mixtures are publicly available on a per-well basis at www.fracfocus.org.
After completing the well, it begins production. Excess equipment is removed from the site. Only the wellheads, separators and storage tanks remain if used on site. Oil and natural gas produced by the well travels via truck or pipeline to market. Any water produced by the well will also be hauled or piped offsite for disposal. During this phase, the wells are continuously monitored 24/7 through automated equipment and if any issues arise, wells can be immediately and remotely shut-in. As an extra precaution, the well is checked daily by an operator who goes onsite to ensure all equipment is comprehensively maintained.
Once a well is producing, the well site is reduced to a much smaller size and fenced. The surrounding area is “reclaimed” with native vegetation and landscaped to camouflage the well site and help blend in with surrounding vegetation.
