In this document, disclosure data from 1,228 well stimulations occurring May 2015 to October
2019 in California are evaluated. This evaluation updates a previous study that was based on 618
well stimulations occurring May 2015 to June 2016 (Stringfellow, W.T., Camarillo, M.K., and
Jordan, P. 2017, Status of Well Stimulation in California Since Implementation of SB-4
Regulations, Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA). While the goal of the previous study
was to provide a summary of information obtained since passage of California Senate Bill No.
4—Oil and Gas, the goal of the current evaluation is to provide a basis for studying chemical
indicators that could potentially be used to detect aquifer contamination. We evaluate chemical
indicators is a separate document using the data contained herein as well as data from monitoring
wells located within oil fields. Compared with the data used by Stringfellow et al. 2017, the
current evaluation is based on a more diverse data set. While the previous study contained data
for only two oil fields with more than 30 well stimulations, the current data set contains four oil
fields with more than 30 well stimulations, making these data more ideal for comparisons using
statistical tests. More producers and a new oil field, Buena Vista Nose, are represented in the
current data set. Some well stimulation practices remain relatively unchanged since the previous
study. Well stimulation is mostly occurring in Kern County with the exception of a single well
stimulation in Orange County. Almost all well stimulations are hydraulic fracturing. The current
data set contains two acid fracturing treatments and one matrix acidizing treatment. The median
number of chemicals added per well stimulation—excluding water and proppant—was
previously 21; the number in the expanded data set is 20. Median water added per well
stimulation was previously 89,000 gallons and is now 98,000 gallons. While this water use
represents a 10% increase, water use for hydraulic fracturing in California is still lower than
water use in other oil and gas fields. Chemical formulations appear to have shifted since the
previous study. This shift may be related to a change in the predominant service company. We
identified 26 chemicals for which the frequency of use has changed by more than 30%. The total
number of chemicals used has also expanded. Previously, 178 unique chemicals were identified
as being added to well stimulation fluids. The total number of unique chemicals is now 205.
Analytical data available for base and recovered fluids has expanded. The number of base fluid
samples has increased from 12 to 35 and the number of recovered fluid samples has increased
from 1,078 to 2,166. The expanded data set is more ideal for an evaluation of indicator chemicals
and comparisons across different formations. The analytical data for recovered fluid samples
indicates that many ions, radioactive constituents, and organics are consistently observed,
making these chemicals ideal for consideration as potential indicators of aquifer contamination.