Investigation of possible wellbore cement failures during hydraulic fracturing operations
Kim, Jihoon, Moridis, George J., Martinez, Eduardo R. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. February 2016.
Summary
Researchers used the peer-reviewed TOUGH+ geomechanics computational software and simulation system to investigate the possibility of fractures and shear failure along vertical wells during hydraulic fracturing operations. The study found that high-quality cementing along the vertical well appears to be the strongest protection against fracturing of the wellbore cement and against contamination hazards to drinking water resources. Poor quality cement and incomplete cementing can lead to fractures, providing potential pathways to ground water contamination. This work was done as part of EPA's Study of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas on Drinking Water Resources.