Why Wisconsin Sand Miners Like Illinois Fracking

Hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas is getting a green light in Illinois: That’s good news for Wisconsin frac sand producers.

Hydrofracking is a process where large amounts of water, sand and chemicals are forced into rock, breaking it up and releasing oil trapped inside. This week, Illinois lawmakers passed a law clearing the way for hydrofracking, but with some restrictions. Bob Bauer works with the Illinois Geological Survey. He says oil and gas companies are speculating on a limited basis in the New Albany Shale formation in the far southeastern part of the state.

“There have been a couple of horizontal [wells] have been put in – some of them without hydrofracking, just to see what’s coming out – and we did notice that one did have hydraulic fracturing associated with it.”

With the new regulations, energy companies will be able to fully explore the area. While Wisconsin doesn’t have any oil or gas deposits, it has plenty of the sand used to get the oil. Rich Budinger is the President of the Wisconsin Industrial Sand Association. He says increased drilling in southern Illinois could mean a new market for Wisconsin frac sand.

“The location being in Southern Illinois, it still is considered to be a market that is available for this location up here in Wisconsin, Minnesota.”

However, Budinger says there are other frac sand mines in St. Louis, Missouri and Arkansas that are closer to potential drill sites. That said, he’s still optimistic.

“I think it’s actually very positive. It just means that there’s potentially more market available for the existing supply and for further growth of the industry.”

Environmental advocates have claimed fracking pollutes groundwater and causes earthquakes. The Environmental Protection Agency is currently studying its potential impact on drinking water.