Hydraulic Fracturing Companies Using Oil Skimmers to Clean Flowback.

Online, April 9, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is a process that recovers natural gas and oil from deep shale formations that contain large amounts of the fuels. Fracking requires the drilling of a well vertically underground, past the deepest aquifer containing fresh groundwater. Steel surface casing is inserted down the well and cement is pumped in to create a barrier between the well bore and groundwater. Fracturing fluids - a mix of water and sand plus a small amount of additives - is then injected at high pressure into the formation to create fissures (a narrow opening or crack).

When the pumping of the fluids is stopped, internal pressure causes most of the injected fluids to rise to the surface, this fluid is called flowback. The sand remains and keeps the fissures open, allowing gas and oil to flow. Companies store the flowback in tanks or pits prior to disposal or recycling. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulates discharge of flowback and requires it to be treated prior to allowing discharge. This is where Oil Skimmers, Inc., steps in.

Oil Skimmers, Inc. has helped one company meet discharge regulations with the use of a Model 5H Oil Skimmer. This Oil Skimmer removes oils and greases from the surface of the flowback. Customers have found that by removing the free oils and greases prior to other treatment, those processes are more efficient, less costly, and require less maintenance. Removing the oils and greases can also be useful for companies looking to re-use the flowback water.

Oil Skimmers, Inc., engineers and manufactures tube oil skimmers and skimming systems. The oil recovery systems can be customized and sized to meet most any specification. Durable construction and a rugged design ensure trouble-free operation in a wide variety of industries worldwide including steel, mining, power and energy, and food production. These oil removal systems can remove waste oil continuously which can then be sold or recycled. Read more about fracking at our blog, or request more information about oil skimmers here.