Road Trip North Dakota Summer

A Road Trip during the summer in North Dakota is an all american experience. I selected 3 photos from a road trip that I think give a viewer a snapshot of what such a road trip is bound to unveil. 

Fracking in Stark County ND

Trying to break down the scientific into lay and understand what is being disclosed to be in the Fracking fluid at the wells in Stark County.

Product: Fresh Water

Product: Methanol

Product: MAGNACIDE 575

REGISTRATION NUMBER: 33677- 7-AA- 10707
COMPANY NAME: BAKER PETROLITE CORPORATION

PESTICIDE TYPE

   D0   ANTIMICROBIAL

HEALTH HAZARD

B2   CAUSES SKIN IRRITATION
B6   CORROSIVE, CAUSES EYE DAMAGE
A1   FATAL IF SWALLOWED
B0   SKIN/EYE
A0   ORAL

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD

E0   FISH
H0   CHILDREN/HUMANS
A0   WATER (DO NOT APPLY DIRECTLY TO WATER)

Product: Techni-Hib 604 – this well uses Product Name: Techni-Hib 604W, however no information on the Techni-Hib 604W was available.

HEALTH HAZARD DATA

Effects of Overexposure

Eye Contact: may tearing, conjunctivitis, burning of the eyes, and corneal injury.

Skin Contact: may cause burns and tissue destruction.

Inhalation: may cause irritation to the respiratory tract.

Ingestion: may cause severe burns to the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.

Target Organs: eyes, skin and lungs.

FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA

Flash Point (Test Method): NONE

Extinguishing Media Material is not combustible. Use extinguishing agent appropriate for surrounding fire.

Fire fighters should wear full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus. Protection is needed against corrosive vapors, if liquid is released.

Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards May release toxic or corrosive material if container is destroyed in a fire.

HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

Component Name CAS# % Range

ammonium bisulfite 010192-30-0 < 75%

water 007732-18-5 < 60%

nickel chelate catalyst < 5%

Product: SSA-2  - Coarse Silica Flour

HEALTH HAZARDS

Causes serious eye irritation

May cause respiratory irritation

May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure

Product: Techni Hib 767 - this well uses Product Name: Techni-Hib 767W, however no information on the Techni-Hib 767W was available. Techni Hib 767 is contains Methanol and aqueous ammonia (ammonia dissolved in water)

Health Hazards          

Respiratory

Eye Irritation

Headache

Burns (Chemical and Thermal)

Skin Irritation

Nausea/vomiting

Dizziness

Shortness of Breath/ Chest Tightness

Product: SAND - PREMIUM WHITE

Hazard Overview CAUTION!   - ACUTE HEALTH HAZARD

May cause eye and respiratory irritation.

DANGER!   - CHRONIC HEALTH HAZARD

Breathing crystalline silica can cause lung disease, including silicosis and lung

cancer.  Crystalline silica has also been associated with scleroderma and kidney

disease.

This product contains quartz, cristobalite, and/or tridymite which may become

airborne without a visible cloud.  Avoid breathing dust.  Avoid creating dusty

conditions.  Use only with adequate ventilation to keep exposures below

recommended exposure limits.  Wear a NIOSH certified, European Standard EN

149, or equivalent respirator when using this product.  Review the Material Safety

Product: MO -67- Corrosive

Health Hazards

Causes severe respiratory irritation.

Skin Contact Causes severe burns.

Eye Contact Causes severe eye burns.

Ingestion Causes burns of the mouth, throat and stomach.

Aggravated Medical Conditions Skin disorders.

Chronic Effects/Carcinogenicity Prolonged, excessive exposure may cause erosion of the teeth

Product: BA-20 Buffering – classified as an acute health hazard

Health Hazards

May cause respiratory irritation.

Skin Contact Causes severe burns. May cause an allergic skin reaction.

Eye Contact May cause severe eye irritation. May cause eye burns.

Ingestion Causes burns of the mouth, throat and stomach.

Aggravated Medical Conditions Skin disorders.

Chronic Effects/Carcinogenicity No data available to indicate product or components present at greater than 1% are

chronic health hazards.

The above well is operated by whiting oil, fracked on 2012-05-10 with identification information as follows

Total Water Volume (gal)*: 1,359,518

True Vertical Depth (TVD): 10,387

Production Type: Oil

Long/Lat Projection: NAD83

Latitude: 46.86

Longitude: -103.19

Well Name and Number: Duletski 11-16 TFH

WHITING OIL & GAS

CORP EBUSINESS

Operator Name:

API Number: 33-089-00640

County: Stark

State: North Dakota

In gathering this information Halliburton safety documents were the most user friendly and easily found. I am not an expert in this arena and the information above is based on my ability to Google the components listed for the well site and discover the layman’s explanation of hazards.  The above chemicals are the first page of ingredients listed in the Fracking mixture for this well located near Belfield.

The Peace Gardens: Worth a visit not the drive

The logistical accomplishment of having a space that is neither Canada or America, land donated and maintained through a join effort to recognize the lasting peace between two large nations is powerful.

These plaques create the line of the two nations, and you can literally stand in both as you process how awesome this park is. Once inside the park gates for an entrance fee of $10 visitors can go between the Canadian and American sides as many times as they like. In face the center of the garden is a 3/4 mile long walkway on the border line. The center layout is very similar to that of the Lawn in DC.

The word garden in the title is what was misleading, at one point these gardens may have been meticulousness maintained. However they are less than 1 square mile of proper garden and they have seen their better days.

The architects did a fantastic job of aligning things for powerful views

But some buildings such as this one have lost their visual appeal

If you can get close enough please note the ravenous deer that are common in these here parts

Impressive flag flower work

Historical bells of love

and concrete towers that impress

70's style chapel, perfect for a small wedding

and wise words to send you on your way.

The Canadian half of the park has numerous lakes and great wildlife options. The American side has play structures, camping, music camp, performance halls, gift shops and plenty of trees and bike paths.

You do not need a passport to go into the parks, however you will need to re-enter the US or Canada through the border and inform the border control that you are coming from the park, if you have a passport i advise you bring it.

Camping in the park is nice, well maintained sites, cabins for rent, hot showers and about $12 a night for a primitive site.

We enjoyed our visit and spend about 6 hours exploring the park, however would  not recommend driving more than 1-2 hours to visit the park, but if your in the area its worth a look.