Quote:
Originally Posted by fotze
Its totally possible to screw a water well. Back a few years back when CBM was economic, they were fraccing at very shallow depths. This is why they should report this well to the gov't to investigate. Having been a part of these things, it is almost always a result of improper water well maintenance or construction.
i.e. bacteria from surface enters the water well and contaminates the well. If its bacteria it is 99.999% that is the crappy water well itself, the formation that contains the water acts as an incredible filter for bacteria. It will not survive a few meters away from the well.
If it is methane in the well, it is quite common for the well to be drilled through or into coalbed seams. Alberta has areas with very shallow gas containing zones. Since water well regs are weak the gas can get into the water. Coal makes a great filter. That's why people target that water.
The shallower you frac the less overburden and less control over where it goes. The economics of a multistage frac on shallow formations in Alberta are not there. i.e. the oil you get from a shallow reservoir is not enough to justify the cost. A good rule of thumb is the deeper the reservoir the bigger the prize and the much less likely you could come close to affecting a water well.
I am more annoyed at the brutal errors in this article. Put in 5 minutes of research, come on.
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Sorry what I ment with the "(if possible)" was to cleaning the well. I'm fully aware that a frack could harm well/drinking water.