An Independent Scientific Assessment of Well Stimulation in California, Vol. 1 (SB4)

Abstract

Pursuant to Senate Bill 4 (Pavley 2013), the California Natural Resources Agency commissioned the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) to conduct an independent scientific assessment of well stimulation treatments, including hydraulic fracturing, in California.

The purpose of the report is to synthesize and assess the available scientific information associated with well stimulation treatments (WST) in California. The review will survey hydraulic fracturing, matrix acidizing, and acid fracturing as they are applied both onshore and offshore for oil and gas production in the state. The study workscope is organized in three major areas, which are being documented in three separate report volumes.

Volume I provides the factual basis describing what well stimulation treatments (WST) are, how they are conducted in general and practiced in California, and where they have been and are being used for oil and gas production in the state.