Growth in hydraulic fracturing puts new pressures on oil industry
Canadian governments, like many around the globe, face a conundrum. Canadians consume energy conspicuously, but many oppose energy development passionately. The public disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, coupled with the desire to foster innovation by protecting trade secrets, is a recent example of the dilemma.
Hydraulic fracturing involves pumping a fluid (usually water) at high pressure through a wellbore into a rock formation. The pressurized fluid opens up fractures in the rock and sand is used to keep the fractures open, resulting in increased oil and gas production. While they constitute only a small percentage of the total fracturing fluid, chemical additives play special roles in solving particular problems, such as keeping the sand in the water long enough to make it to the back of the fractures instead of dropping out and clogging the bottom of the well, making the operation a failure. Other chemicals make the fluids slippery to aid pumping by reducing friction. Also used are corrosion and scale inhibitors, crosslinkers and biocides.
Read the full publication here.
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Norton Rose Fulbright is a global legal practice. We provide the world's pre-eminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. We have more than 3800 lawyers based in over 50 cities across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.
Recognized for our industry focus, we are strong across all the key industry sectors: financial institutions; energy; infrastructure, mining and commodities; transport; technology and innovation; and life sciences and healthcare.
Wherever we are, we operate in accordance with our global business principles of quality, unity and integrity. We aim to provide the highest possible standard of legal service in each of our offices and to maintain that level of quality at every point of contact.
Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Norton Rose Fulbright Australia, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa (incorporated as Deneys Reitz Inc) and Fulbright & Jaworski LLP, each of which is a separate legal entity, are members ('the Norton Rose Fulbright members') of Norton Rose Fulbright Verein, a Swiss Verein. Norton Rose Fulbright Verein helps coordinate the activities of the Norton Rose Fulbright members but does not itself provide legal services to clients.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
