Chemicals used in Fracking
As previously noted, chemicals perform many functions in a hydraulic fracturing job. Although there are dozens to hundreds of chemicals which could be used as additives, there are a limited number which are routinely used in hydraulic fracturing. The following is a list of the chemicals used most often. This chart is sorted alphabetically by the Product Function to make it easier for you to compare to the fracturing records .
Chemical Name
CAS
Chemical Purpose
Product Function
Hydrochloric Acid
Helps dissolve minerals and initiate cracks in the rock
Acid
Glutaraldehyde
Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive by-products
Biocide
Quaternary Ammonium Chloride
Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive by-products
Biocide
Quaternary Ammonium Chloride
Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive by-products
Biocide
Tetrakis Hydroxymethyl-Phosphonium Sulfate
Eliminates bacteria in the water that produces corrosive by-products
Biocide
Ammonium Persulfate
Allows a delayed break down of the gel
Breaker
Sodium Chloride
Product Stabilizer
Breaker
Magnesium Peroxide
Allows a delayed break down the gel
Breaker
Magnesium Oxide
Allows a delayed break down the gel
Breaker
Calcium Chloride
Product Stabilizer
Breaker
Choline Chloride
Prevents clays from swelling or shifting
Clay Stabilizer
Tetramethyl ammonium chloride
Prevents clays from swelling or shifting
Clay Stabilizer
Sodium Chloride
Prevents clays from swelling or shifting
Clay Stabilizer
Isopropanol
Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent
Corrosion Inhibitor
Methanol
Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent
Corrosion Inhibitor
Formic Acid
Prevents the corrosion of the pipe
Corrosion Inhibitor
Acetaldehyde
Prevents the corrosion of the pipe
Corrosion Inhibitor
Petroleum Distillate
Carrier fluid for borate or zirconate crosslinker
Crosslinker
Hydrotreated Light Petroleum Distillate
Carrier fluid for borate or zirconate crosslinker
Crosslinker
Potassium Metaborate
Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases
Crosslinker
Triethanolamine Zirconate
101033-44-7
Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases
Crosslinker
Sodium Tetraborate
Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases
Crosslinker
Boric Acid
Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases
Crosslinker
Zirconium Complex
113184-20-6
Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases
Crosslinker
Borate Salts
N/A
Maintains fluid viscosity as temperature increases
Crosslinker
Ethylene Glycol
Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Crosslinker
Methanol
Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Crosslinker
Polyacrylamide
“Slicks” the water to minimize friction
Friction Reducer
Petroleum Distillate
Carrier fluid for polyacrylamide friction reducer
Friction Reducer
Hydrotreated Light Petroleum Distillate
Carrier fluid for polyacrylamide friction reducer
Friction Reducer
Methanol
Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Friction Reducer
Ethylene Glycol
Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Friction Reducer
Guar Gum
Thickens the water in order to suspend the sand
Gelling Agent
Petroleum Distillate
Carrier fluid for guar gum in liquid gels
Gelling Agent
Hydrotreated Light Petroleum Distillate
Carrier fluid for guar gum in liquid gels
Gelling Agent
Methanol
Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Gelling Agent
Polysaccharide Blend
Thickens the water in order to suspend the sand
Gelling Agent
Ethylene Glycol
Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Gelling Agent
Citric Acid
Prevents precipitation of metal oxides
Iron Control
Acetic Acid
Prevents precipitation of metal oxides
Iron Control
Thioglycolic Acid
Prevents precipitation of metal oxides
Iron Control
Sodium Erythorbate
Prevents precipitation of metal oxides
Iron Control
Lauryl Sulfate
Used to prevent the formation of emulsions in the fracture fluid
Non-Emulsifier
Isopropanol
Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Non-Emulsifier
Ethylene Glycol
Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Non-Emulsifier
Sodium Hydroxide
Adjusts the pH of fluid to maintains the effectiveness of other components, such as crosslinkers
pH Adjusting Agent
Potassium Hydroxide
Adjusts the pH of fluid to maintains the effectiveness of other components, such as crosslinkers
pH Adjusting Agent
Acetic Acid
Adjusts the pH of fluid to maintains the effectiveness of other components, such as crosslinkers
pH Adjusting Agent
Sodium Carbonate
Adjusts the pH of fluid to maintains the effectiveness of other components, such as crosslinkers
pH Adjusting Agent
Potassium Carbonate
Adjusts the pH of fluid to maintains the effectiveness of other components, such as crosslinkers
pH Adjusting Agent
Copolymer of Acrylamide and Sodium Acrylate
Prevents scale deposits in the pipe
Scale Inhibitor
Sodium Polycarboxylate
N/A
Prevents scale deposits in the pipe
Scale Inhibitor
Phosphonic Acid Salt
N/A
Prevents scale deposits in the pipe
Scale Inhibitor
Lauryl Sulfate
Used to increase the viscosity of the fracture fluid
Surfactant
Ethanol
Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Surfactant
Naphthalene
Carrier fluid for the active surfactant ingredients
Surfactant
Methanol
Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Surfactant
Isopropyl Alcohol
Product stabilizer and / or winterizing agent.
Surfactant
2-Butoxyethanol
Product stabilizer
Surfactant
One of the problems associated with identifying chemicals is that some chemicals have multiple names. For example Ethylene Glycol (Antifreeze) is also known by the names Ethylene alcohol; Glycol; Glycol alcohol; Lutrol 9; Macrogol 400 BPC; Monoethylene glycol; Ramp; Tescol; 1,2-Dihydroxyethane; 2-Hydroxyethanol; HOCH2CH2OH; Dihydroxyethane; Ethanediol; Ethylene gycol; Glygen; Athylenglykol; Ethane-1,2-diol; Fridex; M.e.g.; 1,2-Ethandiol; Ucar 17; Dowtherm SR 1; Norkool; Zerex; Aliphatic diol; Ilexan E; Ethane-1,2-diol 1,2-Ethanedio.
This multiplicity of names can make a search for chemicals somewhat difficult and frustrating. However, if you search for a chemical by the CAS number it will return the correct chemical even if the name on the fracturing record does not match. For example if the fracturing record listed the chemical Hydrogen chloride and you searched for it by name using a chemical search site you may not get a result. But if you search for CAS # 007647-01-0 it might return Hydrochloric acid which is another name of Hydrogen chloride. Therefore, by using the CAS number you can avoid the issue of multiple names for the same chemical.
Multiple names for the same chemical can also leave you with the impression that there are more chemicals than actually exist. If you search the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) ‡website the alternate names of chemicals are listed. This may help you identify the precise chemical you are looking for. The NIST site also contains the CAS numbers for chemicals. NIST is only one of many websites you can use to locate additional information about chemicals. You can also search the following websites using the chemical name or CAS number:
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