Background: Hydraulic fracturing is an indispensable technology for extracting oil and gas from unconventional reservoirs, fundamentally altering the global energy landscape. However, its operational complexity and environmental footprint necessitate continuous innovation. A comprehensive synthesis of traditional techniques, emerging innovations, and associated environmental impacts is required to guide future development.

Objective: This article provides a systematic review of hydraulic fracturing, charting its evolution from foundational methods to cutting-edge technologies. It aims to (1) analyze the principles and applications of various fracturing techniques, (2) highlight key technological innovations in fluids and methods, and (3) critically evaluate the environmental impacts and corresponding mitigation strategies.

Methods: The analysis is based on a structured review of seminal and contemporary literature. The works are categorized to compare proppant and acid fracturing; assess applications in diverse geologies like shale, high-pressure/high-temperature, and mature fields; and examine novel methods, including supercritical CO2, foam-based, and plasma-based fracturing. The review integrates findings from field case studies and advanced simulation models to connect theory with practice.

Results: The review confirms a clear technological progression from water-intensive conventional methods to waterless or reduced-water alternatives designed to enhance efficiency and minimize environmental risks. Innovations like supercritical CO2 and plasma fracturing offer promising solutions for shale reservoirs. Advanced modeling techniques have proven crucial for optimizing fracture network complexity and well performance in challenging environments. While these innovations address key issues like water consumption, significant environmental challenges, particularly concerning water management and induced seismicity, persist.

Conclusion: The future of hydraulic fracturing hinges on developing and deploying technologies that are both economically viable and environmentally sustainable. While significant progress has been made, current predictive models for managing environmental risks remain a key area for improvement. Future research must focus on the long-term scalability of novel techniques and the creation of integrated models that fully account for complex geological and environmental interactions.

Hydraulic Fracturing, Unconventional Reservoirs, Shale Gas, Proppant Fracturing

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