- SuperficiarIA
- Glossary
- Hydraulic fracturing
Vaca Muerta glossary
Hydraulic fracturing
Injecting water, sand and additives under pressure to open fissures in the rock so oil or gas can flow.
Vaca Muerta rock has very low permeability: oil and gas do not flow by themselves. Fracturing injects water with sand and additives at high pressure, stage by stage along the horizontal section, to open fissures that the sand props open.
In Neuquén it is regulated by Provincial Decree 1483/12: water must come from surface sources authorized by the water authority, groundwater is not allowed (except highly saline water unfit for consumption or irrigation), and flowback must be treated.
Why it matters to landowners and companies
Each frac job moves many trucks of water and sand over the land's roads; sand and water logistics are at the core of the service business.
How it shows on the map
Fracs are not mapped. Horizontal wells are in the "Vaca Muerta wells" layer. Open the map.