Water is a primary component of the fluid injected into underground rock layers at high pressure to fracture the rock during the hydraulic fracturing process.
During hydraulic fracturing, also known as "fracking," a well is drilled, and then an initial charge may be detonated to open fissures. Following this, a specialized fluid is prepared and injected. According to the provided reference, this fluid is a proprietary mix that includes:
- Water: This is the main base component of the fluid, typically making up a significant percentage of the mixture.
- Chemicals: Various chemicals are added to the water to serve specific purposes, such as reducing friction, inhibiting bacterial growth, or suspending proppants.
- Proppants: Materials like sand or ceramic beads are included. These are essential because their function is to keep the newly created or expanded fractures open after the high pressure is released.
The reference specifically states that this mixture, containing water, is "injected into underground rock layers at high pressure in order to further fracture the rock." This high-pressure injection creates or expands existing fractures within the target geological formation, allowing for the extraction of oil or natural gas trapped within the rock pores.
In essence, water acts as the carrier fluid that transmits the immense pressure needed to break the rock and delivers the proppants into the fractures to hold them open.
