February 17, 2015

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) released a report on February 17 that examines trends in the spatial distribution, treatment fluids, additives, proppants, and water volumes for nearly 1 million hydraulically fractured wells and 1.8 million fracturing treatments during the period 1947 through 2010. The report notes the recent increase in horizontal, or directional, drilling, which has grown from six percent of new wells drilled in 2000 to 42 percent of new wells drilled in 2010.

Sources: E&E News, U.S. Geological Survey