Chemical Disclosure
Issue
Signicant public concern has been expressed regarding the composion of hydraulic fracturing uids, in
parcular the ingredients in addives that are used to make the hydraulic fracturing uids. These
concerns are directly linked to the perceived risks of surface or groundwater contaminaon, or direct
human health risks (exposure) associated with hydraulic fracturing operaons. Regardless of what the
quantave risks of contaminaon or exposure are, the percepon of risk remains high, which means
industry must respond to these concerns competently.
API Posion
The American Petroleum Instute supports disclosure of the chemical ingredients used in hydraulic
fracturing uids with the condion that the intellectual property (IP) rights of developers of these
addives is protected. A review of available data shows that only a very small facon of chemical
ingredients have been claimed as “proprietary” by addive suppliers. To ensure public interests, as well
as the interests of addive developers are both protected, addive providers have agreed to disclose
details about the chemical make-up of IP protected materials (proprietary ingredients) to health care
professionals, emergency responders, and regulatory agency representaves when it is appropriate.
Working Responsibly
Oil and natural gas operators and their addive suppliers take responsible development of all energy
resources seriously. API supports the state led Ground Water Protecon Council (GWPC) and Interstate
Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) in the development of a web-based voluntary disclosure
registry, known as “FracFocus.” Launched in April of 2011, FracFocus, now moving into its fourth
generaon, allows operators to post data describing the chemical composion of hydraulic fracturing
uids at one web site, using a simple, informave, and consistent format. The web site provides
informaon on a well specic basis and is available for public viewing. Water sourcing informaon will
be added to the database in its latest upgrade.
In addion to simple disclosure of HF uid ingredients, the FracFocus website also holds a wide range of
basic informaon describing hydraulic fracturing operaons, informaon that allows a be5er
understanding of the actual risks associated with such operaons and informaon on most of the
chemical ingredients that are found on the disclosure statements posted to the web site. This
informaon is intended to inform and educate users of the web site and place the use of the addives in
a realisc context. As of mid-2022, there were over 190,000 wells included in the FracFocus database.
FracFocus is serving as a reporng method to meet state disclosure requirements for twenty-six states
including: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio,
Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
1
API and its members recognize that the issue of IP protecon has caused some concern, however the
compromise of limited disclosure when need is jused is a sound response. Protecon of IP rights is
fundamental to the free market economy in which we all work and thrive. We also recognize that
protecon of human health and the environment is a fundamental principle in our “license to operate.”
Summer 2022
1
California has implemented its own reporng system but does require concurrent reporng to FracFocus. Arkansas and
Wyoming do have FracFocus records in the database (because operators submit them to FracFocus) but neither state requires
the use of FracFocus for o?cial state reporng.