MAGNETIC MARKERS USE FOR MONITORING OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION CAUSED BY FRACTURING FLUIDS DURING SHALE GAS EXPLOITATION

Magnetic materials may be added to the fracturing fluid, as the magnetic marker allowing to determine the range and efficiency of hydraulic fracturing. The application of appropriate magnetic markers can significantly improve the efficiency of shale gas extraction. There are, however, other important benefits of magnetic markers use, involving the monitoring of environmental pollution, during gas extraction with above mentioned method. However, with the rapid increase in amount of shale gas extracted using hydraulic fracturing method, there are also credible reports on the possibility of groundwater or the soil pollution. Thus, it is necessary to apply enhanced methods, to effectively detect any fracturing fluid leakage. The use of magnetic markers gives such opportunities. In case of leakage and consequently the fracturing fluid pollution, magnetic markers are placed into the soil environment. The presence of pollutants in soil can be detected using a number of standard chemical methods, but magnetometric ones, which are much faster and cheaper deserve special attention, because they enable in-situ detection of the magnetic marker in fracturing fluid leakage. This article discusses the above-mentioned issues based on the literature review, the knowledge and experience of the authors.

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