Hydraulic Fracturing Information Requests Issued

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued voluntary information requests to nine natural gas service companies regarding the process known as hydraulic fracturing. The data requested part of a broad scientific study now underway by EPA, which Congress in 2009 directed the agency to conduct to determine whether hydraulic fracturing has an impact on drinking water and the public health of persons living in the vicinity of hydraulic fracturing wells.
EPA is seeking information on the chemical composition of fluids used in the hydraulic fracturing process, data on the impacts of the chemicals on human health and the environment, standard operating procedures at their hydraulic fracturing sites and the locations of sites where fracturing has been conducted. EPA has requested the information be provided on a voluntary basis within 30 days, and has asked the companies to respond within seven days to inform the agency whether they will provide all of the information sought.

Hydraulic fracturing is a process in which water, sand and chemicals are injected at high pressure to extract oil and natural gas from underground rock formations. The process creates fractures in formations such as shale rock, allowing natural gas or oil to escape into the well and be recovered. During the past few years, the use of hydraulic fracturing has expanded across much of the country.

EPA announced in March that it will study the potential adverse impact that hydraulic fracturing may have on drinking water. The initial results of the study will be announced in late 2012.

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