...Running head: FRACKING AND THE EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT Fracking and the Effects on the Environment and Public Health G. White Professor Wells English 215 Research and Writing August 2, 2013 Fracking and the Effects on the Environment and Public Health People are now recognizing some serious concerns to the public health and the drinking water becoming contaminated, because the fracturing of shale in our communities and what can be done to stop it all. The hydraulic fracturing of shale needs to be, banned until further investigations are completed to determine how safe it is to people and the environment surrounding the drilling site. It all started with a few cases of illness, which everyone assumed was a virus that was going around. Over the past couple of years, these illnesses have become a very serious problem, not only to people but to animals and livestock too. This is a big concern and it is obvious that it is not a genetic disease as first thought. Far too many families, who are living near these drilling sites and have contracted the same illnesses in many different areas across the United States,. Is this a coincidence or facts of serious problems taking place in the United States from fracking? It is very important that everyone should be aware and to take notice how close to where they live and if any hydraulic fracturing is taking place because there is much more to this story than many people realize. The hydraulic fracturing of...
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...Fracking Reflection The final presentation of the semester taught me a lot about fracking and the issues associated with it. Fracking is a process in which liquid mixed with sand and chemicals get injected underground at a high pressure into a wellbore to make it easier to extract the gas and oil which we use every day. Fracking is controversial because while there are many economic benefits to it, there are also many environmental concerns that come along with it. I believe the environmental concerns outweigh the economic benefits and fracking should not be allowed to take place anywhere in the country. We have enough environmental problems without having to worry about the affects fracking has on the environment. The economic benefits of fracking include the high amounts of hydrocarbons that would not otherwise be easily extracted from the ground. Extracting these can lead to oil prices decreasing in the long run and a higher supply of domestic fuel. Without fracking, approximately 45% of natural gas that we get domestically will be unattainable. While these benefits seem extremely promising, the environmental issues fracking causes are too devastating for it to be allowed. Environmental effects of fracking are contaminated water, increased air pollution, trillions of gallons of wasted water used in the process of fracking, and radioactivity in areas of fracking. All of these cause major health issues and potentially kill people living in areas where fracking...
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...Fracking...Is it the Right answer? Darrell E Davison BCOM/275 JAN 1 2012 Betsy Wampler Fracking...Is it the Right answer? In the 21st century world we live, the advances in technology and research have created an environment that information is passed instantly. The world wide web and social media are instruments used to pass information to the masses quicker than anytime in human history. That information now more than ever is used to spread awareness on matters of importance to promote action in a group of people. On of the major issues the public now faces is the issue of Energy. On a broad scale, the production of Energy and also its consumption is the fodder of political pundits and environmentalist no longer. Recent elections here in the United States along with several successful documentaries have brought an unprecedented level of awareness to the arguments made by proponents of both sides of issues. In America, these lines seem to even ride along political divisions. Conservatives tend to be less likely to adhere to warnings of environmentalist, while Liberals seem to lean more toward acceptance. A fairly new technology has come to the nation’s forefront and promoted some spirited debate. The issue is Hydraulic Fracturing or as it is commonly referred to “Fracking”. We will examine the pros and cons of both and why it should not be used as an option to future Energy Production What is Fracking? The process of” Fracking” means injecting millions...
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...Outline for Research Paper Topic: Fracking & Water Contamination in USA pressure in order to fracture shale rocks to inside. Hydraulic Fracturing or otherwise known as Fracking is a technique of drilling and injecting fluid into the ground at a high pressure in order to fracture shale rocks to extract natural gas. United States has numerous shale gas bases. Each gas well requires an average of 400 tanker trucks to carry water and supplies to and from the site. The water brought in is mixed with sand and chemicals to create fracking fluid. Approximately 40,000 gallons of chemicals are used per fracturing. In order to frack it needs up to 600 chemicals including carcinogens and toxins such as lead, uranium, mercury, ethylene glycol, radium, hydrochloric acid and formaldehyde. The fracking fluid is then pressure injected into the ground through a drilled pipeline, which goes about contaminating the wells, and threatens potential earthquake. The mixture reaches the end of the well where the high pressure causes the nearby shale rock to crack, creating fissures where natural gas flows into the well. During this process, methane gas and toxic chemicals leach out from the system and contaminate nearby groundwater. Methane concentrations are 17 times higher in drinking water wells near fracturing sites than in normal wells. Contaminated well water is used for drinking water for nearby cities and towns. There have been over 1000 documented cases of water contamination next to areas...
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...hydraulic fracturing. It is also commonly known as “fracking”. Natural gas is an extremely flammable gas mixture that consists od methane and a few other hydrocarbons that occur naturally under our soil. The technique of fracking has only recently become economically available with rising prices in fuel. Facking has many waste products and some side effects that are caused by the unnatural forces and the materials that are being used. Fracking is the process of extracting natural gas rom layers of shale rock deep within the earth’s surface. Areas that are being drilled are known as “Plays”. Plays are locations where oil and gas companies actively search for natural gas inside of the shale rock formations. There is a two-step process for drilling natural gas by using hydraulic fracturing. The first is that a production well id drilled thousands of feet deep into the earth’s surface and the gradually leveled so theat the drill bit is traveling horizontally through the ground. The second step is where the name fracking comes from because this is where the process of mixing sand, water, and chemicals (many which are known to be harmful) are forced under very high pressure down into the shale rock through the horizontal part of the drill. The extreme pressure causes the shale rock to fracture releasing the natural gas within. The added chemicals help reduce problems such as a buildup of bacteria and mineral deposits. Fracking is a very water intensive process and uses up to four...
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...renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar. Coal seam and shale reserves are widely found across Australia, particularly in Eastern Australia. Fracking, or more commonly known as Hydraulic Fracturing, is the technique used to extract coal seam and shale gases from rock as it improves the flow of gases that are difficult to access (Pearson, 2015). With the ability to use the fracking method to extract coal seam and shale gases, the mining industry considers this a viable and practical mining technique. However, there are debates on the social and environmental impacts of this mining practice. What is Fracking: Fracking is the process by which heavy machinery drills down into the hard rock layer below the earth’s surface. Fluid is then injected into the ground through a pipeline, while methane gas and chemicals are used to hold open the cracks in the rock layer (Dong, 2014). High pressure water mixture, containing sand and chemicals, is then directed at the rock, releasing the gas inside. It is a procedure that has been available for over 60 years (globally), as an alternative to the traditional unconventional gas extraction methods, but was not considered a cost effective method due to the low prices of gas. To drill a gas well, it uses up to 11-34 million litres of water to complete each job (Williams, 2015). The fracking fluid is made up of sand, water and typically 5-10 chemicals. Some of the main chemicals used are hydrochloric acid- used to dissolve minerals, glutaraldehyde-...
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...Fracking and its major implications it has on the earth In today’s day and age, societies are a lot more aware of the environment and furthermore, concerned for the Earths sustainability. Although this is the case for most, Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) often target developing countries that are rich in resources and therefore take them for all they’ve got. One such example is fracking the earth, in order to extract natural gases that could potentially benefit corporations and contribute to their bottom line dramatically. Although this has it’s positives, the implications of fracking could have incredibly serious repercussions, particularly the preservation of the earth and it’s current resources. “Fracking” is the process in which one would drill thousands of meters below the earth’s surface and inject fluid that is then pumped into the shale at an incredibly high pressure, which then shatters the rocks in order to release shale gas. This particular natural gas is trapped within sedimentary shale rock formations and is found richly in many areas of the world. Fracking breaks most of the regulations in the sustainable environments handbook, and as you can imagine, this causes a massive up brawl in the societies that are pro-environment and sustainability. Although this point of view is prominent and relevant, the opposing side has an equally compelling argument. Global thoughts on the idea of fracking Globally, the topic is thought to be both “one of the best...
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...Geo-200-A February 1, 2012 Are We Fracking or Making Fraccidents? Fracking is a relatively new process of natural gas extraction. Fracking refers to the procedure of creating fractures in rocks and rock formations by injecting fluid into cracks to force them further open. The step-by-step process to fracking is this: First they start out by drilling vertically into the ground to a desired depth. It then turns ninety degrees and continues horizontally several thousand feet into shale, which is believed to contain trapped natural gas. A mixture of water, sand, and various chemicals, that fracking companies will not disclose, is pumped into the well, which splits the shale so that the natural gas can escape. The natural gas escapes through the cracks made in the shale and is brought back up to the surface to be processed. In the US today, people are arguing about whether or not fracking should be done. The goal of fracking is to create a passage way for the natural gas to come back up the well to the surface where it can be processed and refined. There are lots of layers of natural gas and oil in the shale. The pressure they use to make the fractures in the rock is immense, but without a passageway there is no way the natural gas can return to the surface. Therefore there is need for a well to be drilled several thousand feet into the ground. In doing so, the drilling into the shale rock creates fractures, which releases the natural gas and allows it to rise to the...
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...A Colossal Fracking Mess Just a decade ago, only the smallest sliver of the U.S. population had even heard of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Today, it’s one of the most incendiary environmental topics going. Natural gas is found underground, and is produced when trapped gas is released above ground. Hydraulic fracturing is a process that extracts natural gas from the ground. In order to try to break our country’s dependence on foreign oil supplies, we have begun to dip into our own natural gas supply. As harmless as the billion dollar producing oil companies would want us to believe, environmental groups, scientists, and average citizens have raised concerns about the negative impact of hydraulic fracking on the environment and surrounding communities. From an ethical perspective we might look at the harms and benefits of fracking. Is U.S. energy independence more important than the potential for harm to those affected by fracking procedures? Hydraulic fracturing poses the greatest current threat for communities because its potential for environmental and human damage is vast and its management is fairly unregulated. Modern day hydraulic fracturing results from the marriage of two technologies: hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. Although these technologies are not new, it was not until 2002 or 2003 that they were first combined. In a typical fracking operation, pressurized water, sand and chemicals are injected into shale rock formations to release trapped...
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...Fracking Jada Stuckert Introduction to Biology 103 – Professor Crespo University of Maryland University College History Hydraulic fracturing “Fracking” is the process of injecting water, sand and chemicals at high pressure underground to break apart the rock and release natural gas to be used by consumers. While this explanation seems simple enough there is actually a lot more involved, so let’s being with this history. The fracking process itself began as an experiment in 1947 by Stanolind Oil and Gas Company in Kansas, however the first commercially successful application took place in Oklahoma in 1949 by Halliburton. While the initial experiments didn’t simulate the well in which the technique would later be applied it was the actual “birth” of hydraulic fracturing. Fracking allows older oil and natural gas fields to remain functional by recovering oil and natural gas from almost impossible geological formations like tight shale formations in certain areas of the United States. Fracking is not a drilling process. Fracking actually begins after a hole is already drilled. Most of these wells are existing oil and gas wells. The generalized process of fracking is outlined below. 1. Water trucks deliver water for the fracturing process. If a bay is being used water is simply delivered through a pump. 2. Separate trucks deliver a mix of sand and chemicals (what chemicals) 3. Both the water and the sand/chemical solution is injected at high pressure down...
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... Fracking Essay Fracking is a very controversial topic of conversation that’s has been around for years, but has just recently reached the forefront of the environmental scene because of increase in its activity and added opposition against this controversial topic of retrieving natural gas. Fracking is defined as the process of drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside. This process seems very dangerous at first sight since the process of drilling deep into the ground and releasing natural gas from rocks in the ground does not sound environmentally safe and may harm our local water supply and poison us. Fracking works by huge horizontal pipes or “veins” being placed inside large vertical wells full of rocks filled with natural gas, after this the horizontal pipe is then filled with water and is forced into the well at high speeds and pressures forcing the rocks to be cracked or broken apart which thus releases the gas inside them into the tiny cracks created. Furthermore, the gas and oil is then collected and placed in large storage tanks for distribution and use. The chemicals used in fracking are a large amount (up to 600), however the main chemicals used by fracking companies are; water, sand, salt,...
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...of regulations on fracking is leading to air and water pollution, droughts and undisclosed chemicals which are used in the process. II. What is the Fracking? A. Fracking is a process to harvest Natural Gases from the earth core. 1. There are two different processes of fracking, Hydraulic and horizontal fracking. 2. Chemicals are released into wells to harvest the gas. B. The current regulations for fracking are left to each state to determine how the process works. 1. A FRAC Act requires the companies to tell what chemicals are used, but there is loophole. 2. EPA is barred from regulating the ground water. III. II. There are two main benefits of fracking; better source of energy and long term quality. A. Natural gas is a better quality of energy for the United States. 1. Natural gas is clean, safe, colorless, shapeless and odorless. 2. Natural gases burn at lower temperatures so they last longer. B. With Natural gases the dependency on foreign oils will decrease. 1. The price of oil is on the rise. 2. Natural gases are harvested in the United States. IV. III. Although the benefits of natural gas are extremely affective, the effects of the process to harvest the gas is extremely damaging to the environment. A. During the process of fracking there are chemicals...
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...1, The economic arguments in favour of fracking Enter “fracking,” the process used to access the country’s massive natural gas and oil reserves and the latest energy extraction method to come under intense fire. Ironically, it’s because of fracking that the United States now has enough oil and gas to potentially meet what has been an insatiable need for energy. (1) The economic arguments concerning fracking can be derived from two aspects, national and international. Because everything related to a country’s economy is always from these two parts. National: 1, It has already driven down natural gas prices to the point where utilities are replacing dirty coal-fired power plants with cleaner natural gas-burning plans and increasingly vehicles are burning natural gas instead of dirtier gasoline. 2, As the shale gas is increasingly explored, the coal and other fuels will be replaced. It can lead to country becoming energy independent to reduce some threats. 3, Fracking is a big industry, which can give a boost to national and local economies in forms of revenue. 4, Fracking need much more people to join in to play different roles such as geologists, well drillers, office workers, truck drivers, construction workers. International: 1, This will reverse the global energy scarcity woes, rising shale gas production has increased alternative liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies to Europe in the form of LNG displaced from the American market. (2) 2, For some country, it is...
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...I am from Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick. My community members have been protesting against shale gassing and fracking for a couple of months now, fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is the process of extracting natural gas from shale rock layers deep within the earth. The general public seems to have a lack of knowledge about fracking, because my community members seem to be the only ones who stand up against fracking. I am making these assumptions, because the fight for water and resistance against fracking has become a racial issue. Through social media, people have been generating hurtful and racial comments. Stigma’s that my community members are acting out in a radical fashion because they’re uneducated. What they need to realize, and to realize very quickly, is that this is not a fight for the Indian race, but rather a fight for the human race. There are a few members who are not from my society that support anti-fracking, but don’t do anything about it. I am actually very proud of my community members, for showing such unity, moral standards and courage to stand up for one of our essential natural resources. Elsipogtog in Mi’kmaq means, “River of Fire” and that fire helped spark a nationwide and worldwide awareness of the effects of fracking. First Nations from all over Canada stand in Solidarity with Elsipogtog; I personally had no idea that there were that many Fist Nations in Canada, so it was a beautiful sight for me. Celebrities such as, Susan Sarandon, Mark...
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...Advantages and disadvantages of Hydraulic fracturing in the USA Advantages Increase in natural gas production in US, department of energy indicates that shale gas in 2010 made up 23% of the total US natural gas supply, estimates show that by 2035 shale gas production may constitute 49% of total US natural gas supply (Annual Energy outlook 2012, early release) (Gillleland) Reducing carbon emissions, through the fracturing method of extracting natural gas, US carbon emissions have fallen. This process has been termed as a bridge between carbon systems of the past and a cleaner future. Extraction of shale gas through fracturing has been credited with delivering clean energy. Employment creation, statistics from the department of energy shows that the industry through the use of hydraulic fracturing creates more than 1.2 million jobs. In addition, 65% of natural gas resources have increased as a result of using hydraulic fracturing. Reduced cost of drilling, the dramatic success of hydraulic fracturing has greatly lowered cost of drilling some have described it as “smart drilling” technology due to its combination of horizontal drilling, computer aided underneath monitoring and hydraulic fracturing techniques (“Hydraulic Fracturing: A Game Changer for Energy and Economies.” Pg 1). Disadvantages Requires huge amounts of water itself a limited resource, during the various stages of the fracing processes large amounts of water are required and in many cases less than a third...
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