![]() Confirmation that there will not be an adverse resource impact to the local hydrology due to a large volume water withdrawal associated with HVHF Michigan rules require additional monitoring and further approval through Michigan's Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool (WWAT). ![]() Some specific protective measures in Michigan's rules include: Michigan's administrative rules governing oil and gas development activities (Part 615, Supervisor of Wells, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Public Act 451 of 1994) were revised in 2015 to address the additional concerns associated with HVHF well completions. Larger initial volumes and handling of flowback fluids Flowback fluids are comprised of the initial return hydraulic fracturing fluids and native brines that are brought back to the surface after the well is completed and pressure is released.Larger overall water usage for well completions.The hydraulic fracturing process is usually a one-time event for that particular well, so once the initial well completion has occurred, the site activity (equipment, personnel, and truck traffic) is reduced and any further activity does not significantly differ from typical oil and gas development. There is overall more equipment, personnel, and truck traffic during the initial few months of development. For example, well site activity for HVHF well completions is normally more intense. The High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Water Use Tracking Table shows approximate groundwater volumes withdrawn for high volume hydraulic fracturing completions in Michigan since 2008.ĭifferences with High Volume Hydraulic FracturingĪs compared to typical oil and gas development and smaller volume hydraulic fracturing activities, there are additional concerns associated with HVHF well completions. The Michigan High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Activity Map shows the locations and status of active applications, active permits, and drilled wells utilizing high volume hydraulic fracturing in Michigan since 2008. Since 2008, over 30 wells have been completed using HVHF.įor specific details regarding HVHF activities in Michigan, please follow the links below: While limited overall compared to the volume of activities in other states, HVHF well completions have occurred in Michigan. HVHF is defined in Michigan as a well completion operation that uses over 100,000 gallons of primary carrier fluid. This method of well completion has been occurring in Michigan for over ½ of a century where more than 12,000 wells have been hydraulically fractured.Įxtensive use of 'High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing' (HVHF) is a more recent development. Hydraulic fracturing has been in the news a great deal recently, but the process for enhancing oil and natural gas production is far from new. Hydraulic fracturing is a well completion operation that involves pumping fluids and proppant (typically sand) into a target formation under pressure to create or propagate artificial fractures, or enhance natural fractures, for the purpose of improving deliverability and production of hydrocarbons.
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