Patent ID: 8899325
Filing Date: 2014-12-02
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method for removing contaminants from wastewater in a hydraulic fracturing process comprising the steps of: drilling a borehole from the surface to the underground shale matrix containing gas or oil; inserting a pipe into the borehole; creating openings in the pipe in fluid communication with fractures in the shale matrix; forming fracturing fluid comprising proppants coated with a contaminant-capturing substance and proppants not coated with a contaminant-capturing substance; pumping the fracturing fluid containing proppants coated with the contaminant-capturing substance and proppants not coated with a contaminant-capturing substance through the pipe and into the shale matrix; allowing the fluid to re-enter the pipe from the shale matrix and move through the pipe to the surface; and allowing the gas or oil from the fractured shale to enter the pipe and move to the surface to be collected.