In the summer of 1999, the front pages of the prestigious newspaper Al-Ahram highlighted the Egyptian government's announcement of the inaugural use of "hydraulic fracturing" technology in the El-Obeid field in the Western Desert.
Former Egyptian Minister of Petroleum, Hamdi Al-Banabi, proudly proclaimed, "Young talents are employing hydraulic fracturing, a cutting-edge global technology, to amplify gas reserves production by fivefold at minimal expenses."
Al-Banabi detailed the collaborative project between the General Petroleum Corporation and several companies, along with Shell's financial backing of 675 million dollars. He explained how this innovative technology was deployed to induce fractures in rock layers with complex geological formations, housing gases, and petroleum condensates at depths reaching 4,000 meters beneath the earth's surface. Consequently, production and reserves saw a remarkable doubling.
In southern Egypt, approximately 851 kilometers from Cairo, the village of Fares remains ensnared in the aftermath of hydraulic fracturing activities initiated nearly a decade ago in adjacent fields. Abu al-Qasim Abd al-Shakour, the mayor of Fares, affirms to the investigative team that his ancestral land in the southern village has become barren and rendered uncultivable due to the enduring water crisis gripping the village for years.
The story unfolded years ago when oil companies started experimental trials involving the exploration and extraction of oil and gas through hydraulic fracturing, as recounted by numerous village residents who shared their testimonies with the investigative team. These operations resulted in the emergence of horizontal and vertical fractures and crevices beneath the surface, triggering groundwater eruptions that submerged homes, agricultural lands, and even cemeteries.
Abu al-Qasim confirms that, owing to the sandy nature of the village's land, the water resulting from hydraulic fracturing caused its devastation. Despite all efforts to rectify the current situation, including establishing a drainage system in the village, the local inhabitants can no longer reclaim everything that was lost years ago.
The village of Fares, situated along the banks of the Nile River, boasts a renowned reputation for its abundant mango cultivation. With over 25 distinct varieties harvested annually, alongside dates, dums, and various other crops, agriculture forms the backbone of its economy. The residents take immense pride in their mango production, commemorating their success with an annual festival dedicated to this prized fruit.
The Al-Baraka field adjacent to Fares village, managed by Kom Ombo Petroleum Company, has been a focal point of controversy due to its operations, which have been linked to the village's sinking predicament. The South Valley Petroleum Holding Company, the Emirati firm "Sea Dragon," and Dana Gas companies contributed to these operations until the latter divested its share to the Canadian company Mediterra in 2014.
The ramifications of hydraulic fracturing extend beyond groundwater, affecting the ecological balance of aquatic life as well. Nile tilapia, a staple species in Egypt's aquatic ecosystem, particularly thrives in regions directly adjacent to the Nile, such as the village of Fares.
A research article titled “The Effect of Hydraulic Fracturing Chemicals on Nile Tilapia Fish in Egypt,” published in 2019, highlights the potential environmental risks associated with hydraulic fracturing activities in Egypt. It points out that significant quantities of hydraulic fracturing fluid could unintentionally seep into nearby ecosystems, including ground and surface water sources, during the chemical mixing phase of the hydraulic fracturing process, possibly due to equipment malfunctions or human errors.
The study focused specifically on hydraulic fracturing operations conducted by companies such as Apache, Agiba Petroleum, and Dana Gas in Egypt. It raised concerns about the potential threats posed to vital groundwater systems and the Nile using similar technology in the region.
Furthermore, the study discussed further the repercussions of chemical additives on aquatic ecosystems, detailing pathological, cellular, and genetic alterations observed in Nile tilapia fish following exposure to these substances. It also examined the protective effects of spirulina platensis against the adverse effects of fracking chemicals on fish health. The findings reveal that the presence of fracking chemicals in aquatic environments resulted in various detrimental effects on Nile tilapia, but incorporating spirulina into the fish diet mitigated the risks associated with these chemicals.
From South to North
In the village of Sila in Fayoum, 774 kilometers away from Abu al-Qasim's village, lives Walid, who only goes by his first name. For years, Walid has been leasing his agricultural land to oil companies for oil extraction purposes. He is not alone in this endeavor, as several other local inhabitants of Sila also lease their land or portions of it to oil companies for utilization. However, upon completing the companies' operations, farmers complained that the land's condition had deteriorated. Productivity has decreased, and the village has faced a water shortage.
In August 2022, PetroSil, in collaboration with NISR and SAPESCO, declared the commencement of hydraulic fracturing activities in the West Oberg 1-1 field, situated in Fayoum near the agricultural lands of Sila village.
PetroSil is not the sole entity employing hydraulic fracturing techniques in Western Sahara. The investigative team compiled a list of companies publicly acknowledging the utilization of hydraulic fracturing in their Western Sahara fields, drawing from archives of news reports and prior scientific studies released by these companies.
The roster of companies disclosing their use of hydraulic fracturing encompasses Khaleda, Qarun, Belayim Petroleum, Hamra, Shell, Al-Nasr (formerly Dana Gas), Apache, SAPESCO, Petromelk, and others.
A source working for an American company—which supplies most of Egypt's companies with hydraulic fracturing equipment—admitted, on the condition of anonymity, in a lengthy interview with the investigative team that hydraulic fracturing technology has been used in Egypt for many years to enhance the efficiency of wells in conventional oil and gas operations.
Egypt's increased interest in hydraulic fracturing was particularly notable between 2014 and 2017. This was marked by significant contracts signed with companies like Apache and Shell Egypt for shale gas extraction using this technology. These contracts involved substantial investments ranging from 30 to 40 million dollars.
The source explains the reason behind this surge in activity lies in the advantages of hydraulic fracturing over traditional methods. By employing hydraulic fracturing, the volume of well production can be significantly amplified. This technology facilitates enhanced production by enabling access to resources situated in hard-to-reach rock formations. Hydraulic fracturing creates fissures in the rock formations, granting access to oil and gas reserves previously inaccessible using conventional drilling techniques. As a result, the flow of oil and gas is substantially enhanced, leading to heightened production rates.
However, the source rejects the idea that hydraulic fracturing in Egypt impacts groundwater in the same way as in the United States. He justifies this by explaining that groundwater reservoirs in Egypt are situated at depths far below the oil and gas layers, making it unlikely for them to be affected.
Through satellite images, the investigative team uncovered evidence of hydraulic fracturing activities in existing fields and fields slated for future extraction.
Dr. Abu Talib Zaki, a researcher at Western Michigan University in the United States, says that for the time being, the effects of hydraulic fracturing on groundwater in the Western Desert of Egypt have not been adequately researched, mainly due to insufficient data accessible to researchers. This includes details regarding the locations and scale of hydraulic fracturing activities, as well as the types of chemicals used in the process.
The below image shows parts of the Apollonia Field. There are two vast fluid impoundments which indicate that fracking is taking place at this site, alongside two smaller fluid impoundments. To the top left of the impoundments are at least four wells alongside each other, indicating that horizontal drilling is taking place
The Obaiyed Field, which also lies in the Western Desert, is shown in the below image. It includes a vast fluid impoundment, which is indicative that fracking is taking place, as well as evidence of multi-well drilling sites which are indicative of the horizontal drilling required to frack.
Ground Reservoirs
In a 2014 paper issued by the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, environmental researcher Reem Labib emphasized the significant concern of groundwater contamination in the Western Desert, which holds a considerable portion of Egypt’s strategic groundwater resources.
Several essential groundwater reservoirs exist in the Western Desert of Egypt, including the Nubian sandstone aquifer, the Ocher aquifer, a fractured carbonate aquifer, and a fractured Precambrian hard rock aquifer.
These reservoirs are vital in supplying groundwater to various areas within the Western Desert, such as the New Valley and the desert region on the Western Delta's edge.
According to the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, hydraulic fracturing is expected to impact two of these aquifers. The Nubian sandstone aquifer is a vital water source in the region, with an estimated reserve of approximately 522 thousand billion cubic meters of water. The Ocher aquifer is Egypt's sole renewable reservoir, receiving water from the Nile Delta aquifer.
A comprehensive study conducted in 2011 assessed groundwater resources in the Wadi Al-Faraj region, revealing the potential for sustained water extraction at a rate of 152 million cubic meters annually for agricultural irrigation. However, the increasing risk of pollution resulting from hydraulic fracturing poses a significant concern. Regions such as Dakhla, Farafra, and Siwa are experiencing continuous groundwater flooding, raising the possibility of surface contamination from polluted groundwater.
Dr. Abu Talib Zaki, a researcher at Western Michigan University in the United States, shared insights with the investigators. He stated that the oil deposits are situated at significantly deeper levels compared to groundwater in the Western Sahara. Consequently, he argues that hydraulic fracturing operations are unlikely to impact the groundwater in the region.
Abu Talib further elaborates that the main connection exists between underground reservoirs, regardless of their depth. For instance, production may occur from a surface reservoir located 200 meters deep, even though the water source lies at a depth of one or two kilometers. As a result, there is a possibility that this water might be influenced over time due to hydraulic fracturing activities. However, he emphasizes that such a scenario has not been thoroughly studied in Egypt, making it difficult to determine the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing operations on groundwater.
Abu Talib suggests that if petroleum activities were to impact groundwater reservoirs in the Western Sahara, the Siwa Oasis would likely bear the brunt of it. This is because the groundwater in Siwa Oasis is already situated close to the surface and is highly susceptible to be impacted.
He further emphasizes that the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing on groundwater in the Western Desert has not been thoroughly studied in Egypt. This is primarily due to the scarce available data for researchers, including information regarding the locations and scales of hydraulic fracturing operations and the specific chemicals utilized in the process.
Ahmed Al-Saidi, an environmental lawyer and head of Al-Saidi Law and Legal Consultations, underscores that while Egyptian environmental law provides overarching guidelines for environmental matters, there is a notable absence of specific legal regulations regulating hydraulic fracturing operations.
Part 3: "Under the Sand"... Algeria Utilizes Hydraulic Fracturing to Extract Tight Gas in the Desert