Assessing the feasibility of enzyme technology for the biodegradation of polymers used in hydraulic fracturing operations

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Hydrocarbons, such as the methane, ethane and propane found in natural gas, are recovered from reservoirs deep under the ground. In some cases, the hydrocarbon can be accessed relatively easily by drilling a series of wells into a reservoir. The hydrocarbons readily move from the reservoir into the wells where they are collected. These are known as conventional reservoirs. However, in some cases the gas does not easily move into a well, and thus simply drilling the well is not sufficient. These unconventional reservoirs require more work to recover the hydrocarbons. One approach that has been taken to free the hydrocarbons is called hydraulic fracturing. In this approach, liquids are pumped at high pressure down a well and into the reservoir rock causing it to crack. Fracturing the reservoir in this manner facilitates the movement of hydrocarbons. Once