...The Impact of Fracking on Global Warming Meteorology I 24 July 2014 With the world hungry for fuel and environmentalists longing for a clean solution to carbons, a questionable method of extraction has entered the skirmish. Creating jobs and supply of fuel that may eventually limit the need of the America’s oil consumption, hydraulic fracturing is not without controversy. While some see it as a viable answer to the nation’s needs, others claim the damage done will be irreversible. Claiming that during the process of hydraulic fracturing, methane gas is released into the earth’s atmosphere, environmentalists are assuring this is adding to the already overabundance of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere generated from industry, people, and raising livestock. The exiting of greenhouse gases is increasing the blanket like effect around earth, thus impacting global warming and creating climate changes. “Fracking” also known as hydraulic fracturing is a process that is used to extract geothermal energy, oil, and natural gas from shale rock formation thousands of feet below the grounds surface. It involves pumping a mixture of thousands of gallons of water, sand and chemicals such as salts to make fluid flow quicker, acids to dissolve rock and petroleum distillates to reduce friction, under high pressure into a well drilled horizontally in the Marcellus layer of the earth. This process causes the rock formations to fracture and creates fissures that...
Words: 1236 - Pages: 5
...Fracking is a growing contentious, political issue in the United States, but what is fracking? Hydraulic fracturing, or more commonly know by it’s infamous nickname fracking, is a process used for finding oil and natural gases. While advocates of this technique find it to be beneficial to society; however, many critics believe there are many repercussions because of this issue. Fracking has numerous causes, and if it is not solved, the effects could be drastic. Fracking starts by a well being drilled, vertically and horizontally, into the ground around one to two miles or more in order to obtain natural gases and oil (Lallanilla). Then, the well is drilled and is covered in steel or cement. After being drilled and covered, a water mixture is...
Words: 1285 - Pages: 6
...Fracking is a terrible business because it takes millions of gallons of freshwater to frack one well, fracking fluid could leak into farm fields and destroy the soil that crops grow in, and it can cause negative effects on human and animal health. Fracking or hydraulic fracturing is a newer way of extracting natural gas or oil locked away thousands of feet below the surface trapped in permeable shale rock. Freshwater is mixed with solids like sand and other fracturing chemicals. This creates fracking fluid that is highly pressurized and then pumped down into the surface, it then fractures the rock leaving the gas to come out which is then pumped back to the surface. Fracking has made the amount of natural gas much more accessible to people...
Words: 1629 - Pages: 7
...What is more important, the cost of oil and gas, or the health of the human race? Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing, more commonly known as “fracking” remains a relatively uncommon drilling technology. There was only one in fourteen wells drilled in the United States and Canada horizontally in 2002 (Gold). In 2012, six of every ten wells were horizontal. It is a process in which sand, water, and chemicals are used to blast open shale rock to release the gases that are trapped inside. After the vertical depth of the well is achieved, the drilling continues horizontally. Unfortunately, fracking is proven to cause environmental and health problems in humans and animals. It is also a risk to nearby plant life. The risks of fracking do not out way...
Words: 1958 - Pages: 8
...Evaluation of Talisman Energy’s Hydraulic Fracturing Practises in Hudson Hope ABSTRACT To meet the demand of oil in today’s oil dependent society, Talisman Energy is looking to exploit a mine located in Hudson Hope, British Colombia. The most suitable extraction process is hydraulic fracturing, which currently presents several environmental concerns to the residents located near the mine, and a representation of the general public who believe that hydraulic fracturing is not an ethical method of extraction. Talisman Energy has recently been granted a long term contract to utilize fresh water from BC Hydro’s Williston Reservoir. Local residents are concerned about the additives used in Talismans fracking process, as well as the depletion of their fresh water source. The major environmental concerns associated with hydraulic fracturing include the presence of fracking additives in ground water supply, human induced earthquakes, and the use of large amounts of fresh water supply. Talisman Energy’s proposed plan of action was evaluated using a set of ethical decision making criteria in order to determine if Talisman Energy can be considered an ethical and socially responsible company. An analysis of the criteria determined that Talisman Energy currently fails to operate as an ethical and socially responsible company. Specifically, Talisman Energy did not take the initiative to evaluate more sustainable fresh water sources. It was concluded that upon further exploration in...
Words: 2655 - Pages: 11
...Name Tutor Course Date Title: Hydraulic Fracturing POPULATION/PROBLEM/PROCESS Hydraulic fracturing or fracking, as it is commonly referred to, is a method of oil and gas extraction that has been in use for well over 60 years. This is a method that is centered on injecting a mixture of a proppant such as sand, chemicals and water into an oil or gas well. The injection of this fluid is responsible for creating fractures in the pre-drilled well, thereby allowing greater permeability of the stone. The small cracks in the stone are filled by the proppant, in this case sand, to keep them open even after the water flows back out. Among the chemicals used are gelling agents. The purpose of these gelling agents is to ensure that the proppant remains suspended in the mixture, and does not sink. Other chemicals in the mixture increase the fracturing ability of the solution. Once this has been achieved, the small pores and air spaces between the rocks are filled with the proppant and cause the natural gas trapped within the natural spaces to escape. This gas is then collected. The use of horizontal hydraulic fracturing has also been instrumental in the extraction of oil. The use of horizontal hydraulic fracturing has increased profitability and efficiency in the extraction of oil, when compared to the predominantly used vertical drilling methods. By increasing the extraction of natural gas from sources that were originally considered unproductive, this process has resulted in more...
Words: 2107 - Pages: 9
...Introduction Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a drilling technique used for extracting oil or gas from deep under the earth’s surface. It has been around for more than 60 years, but has emerged as a controversial topic in the US energy sector. The highly debated activity has become a focal point to environmental and political issues. Since 1949, the beginning stages, which started in Texas and Oklahoma, fracking has fueled an environmental debate of clean air, drinkable water, clean energy, and its large contribution to green house gases. This process is much safer and cleaner than the old method known as the “Exploding Torpedo,” but still leaves room for controversy due to its profitable amounts of oil and the lingering effects. The gas and oil industries diligently worked to perfect a fracking process to extract more oil. After hydraulic fracturing began commercializing, this new oil extracting process allowed the US to become the worlds largest oil and gas producer. What is hydraulic fracturing? Hydraulic fracking involves pumping water, chemicals, and solid materials down an oil or gas well under extremely high pressure to break apart rocks or pockets that contain oil and gas. The solid materials used with the water and chemicals usually is sand and holds the cracks open after they are formed. When the cracks are held open oil and gas can easily flow to the well with less resistance. This new technique of fracking has allowed a huge boom in the oil and gas industries...
Words: 969 - Pages: 4
...Solution and Advantages Derrick L. Catley Strayer University Professor Dimetri Richardson ENG 215 February 21, 2013 Is Hydraulic Fracking the Answer For the Future Some may say that hydraulic fracturing is the key to our future. Various people say that it will give America a secure energy future. A number of people say it is a step to energy independence. Others say that it is a threat to our society, environment, and our water supply. Others also say that it can cause major damage to home and areas in and around the fracturing sites. Corporations and many in the legislative branch want to see hydraulic fracturing as a major part of America moving forward towards energy independence. For the majority of individuals, the good outweighs the bad. The people in and around these fracturing sites tend to disagree. Logically, this would be the thing to do if safety measures were to be tightened. Ethically, they have to think of the dangers that it can pose to humans, wildlife, and the water supply. This is a very emotional subject to the people that live within the boundaries of the danger zone involved with hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing regulations should be changed because blowout, gas leaks, and home explosions can occur during hydraulic fracturing undertakings (Ehrenberg, 2012). With hydraulic fracturing being a major contributor to earthquakes, gas leaks, contaminated drinking water, and various other catastrophes, it is easy to...
Words: 2171 - Pages: 9
...Legal Issues in Hydraulic Fracturing Demand for energy shows every promise of remaining high, and supplies of natural gas and oil worldwide are dwindling. Renewable and alternative energy sources – for example, wind-generated electricity, or nuclear power – are being developed and considered at the national level; however, at the time of writing more than half of the total energy consumed in the United States comes from oil and natural gas sources. Specifically, natural gas was – in 2011 – providing fully a quarter of the total energy consumed in the United States (Obama, 2013). Hydraulic fracturing, also known as “fracking”, provides a means of exploiting the reserves of natural gas within United States territory. These natural gas reserves are positioned in such a way that they cannot typically be exploited by traditional methods, and instead are produced by a process of hydraulic fracturing. This means of oil and gas production is relatively new, and it remains controversial in terms of economics, safety and environmental cost. In addition to ecological, sociological and political considerations, there are many legal issues involved in the production of energy via hydraulic fracturing (Hagstrom and Adams, 2012). Regulation The actual activity of hydraulic fracturing is carried out by private corporations; however, the process is governed by multiple State and Federal regulations and laws. As the field of hydraulic fracturing is developing quickly and recently, legislation...
Words: 2345 - Pages: 10
...Resources…………………………………………………………………………5 Uses of Natural Gas……………………………………………………………………………….7 Extraction Techniques…………………………………………………………………………….8 Hydraulic Fracturing………………………………………………………………………………9 Gasland………………………………………………………………………………………..…10 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………….11 Natural Gas SWOT Analysis…………………………………………………………………….12 References………………………………………………………………………………………..13 Natural Gas in the United States Introduction The natural gas market is a topic that I had never given much thought. Prior to selecting this research paper topic the only knowledge that I had of natural gas is that it is an affordable energy source that was used by many families. Growing up in rural Louisiana my parents had a natural gas oven and heaters. My brother actually still uses the natural gas in my parents old home. My parents’ home now is totally electric and my mother complains about the utility bill and the slow cooking speed with electric. Those complaints seem so minute after learning about the dangers of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. When first giving the list of research paper topics, the worldwide natural gas market and fracking were not on my list of topic options. However, due to my procrastination on choosing one of my first picks I had to come up with a new list. During this process I decided to Google fracking. What I saw was both interesting and disturbing. So I felt this would be a good topic to look further into. I guess one could say that my procrastination...
Words: 3618 - Pages: 15
...Fracking or Hydraulic fracturing is defined as a method of maximizing output at natural gas and oil wells through breaking formations of rock. This technique is done under a fluid injection with a high pressure. Over the past two decades, there have been many legal issues attributed to hydraulic fracturing. Most of the legal issues have risen due to environmental debates that have rose due to the process. This is because in order to increase the output of gases in the wells, chemical toxins that are harmful to aquatic life and human beings are released to the environment. There are also many risks that arise during and after the process leading to issues of negligence. State regulations have enacted laws and policies that prevent any harm caused by negligence from affecting the environment. Therefore, this paper contains a discussion of the legal issues that are raised by hydraulic fracturing process. Fracking and the safe drinking water Act issues is the most common discussed legal issue. Many arguments have risen due to the quality of underground water since it is contaminated with chemicals thus endangering aquifers. Some concerns raised involve contamination of drinking water since most of it comes from the wells. This water can be dangerous to the ecosystem if it enters drinking water wells. Secondly, management of the contaminated water from fracking wells is also a legal concern. State regulation should ensure that the extraction of the natural gas does not have detrimental...
Words: 681 - Pages: 3
...Land Use Control in Hydraulic Fracturing Prepared for Katherine Wears, Phd. Professor and Assistant Dean at Clarkson University Prepared by Martin Sable Student, Masters in Engineering Management at Clarkson University August 10, 2014 Executive Summary This paper will review the process of hydraulic fracturing, its effects on the environment, and the opposition against the practice. A chronological discussion of lobbying activities and regulatory actions will be discussed, with a particular focus on land use control. A discussion of some of the past and potential future litigation on land rights related to the subject will be covered. The paper will end with the author’s opinion on the subject and of the potential future of the industry. Background Hydraulic Fracturing is a method of simulating well production in both natural gas and oil wells. It was first introduced in 1947, and was adopted for commercial applications as early as 1949.15 The process involves drilling wells deep into ground rock formations, then injecting fluids at high pressure into the ground. The high pressure causes fracturing of the rocks that release gas or oil into the wells that may then be extracted. In 1968 high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) was introduced, in an effort to tap into the large shale basins containing deposits of natural gas. The main difference between this and conventional hydraulic fracturing is tremendous volume of fracturing fluids that are pumped...
Words: 3009 - Pages: 13
...Fracking Before I began writing this paper I was neutral on the subject of natural gas fracking, I had never heard of it and had no idea how destructive this process of extraction was. The further I got on this report, the more furious I became that this was happening on US soil, and not only that but people in the highest levels of government were not only sanctioning it, but using their power in public office to advance the agenda of companies that they were either running before they cae into office, or companies that friends were running, or were just giving them kickbacks, which would be the only reason that anyone would let this go on. After doing just a small amount of research you realize rather quickly how detrimental this process is, not only to the environment, but to the helpless animals who had had wells built in their migration patterns. Not to mention the helpless children whos parents had no idea what the were getting themselves and their families into when they signed what appeared to be a harmless contract allowing a drilling company to put up a small rig on their property. Who didn’t realize that in a short amount of time they would be able to light the water coming out of their faucet on fire, that their animals would loose their hair, have problems eating and die. The fact that any human being would allow this to be done to other human beings all in the name of money is beyond me, but I’ll get into that later. What is hydraulic fracturing anyway? The...
Words: 2245 - Pages: 9
...Fracking is becoming a worldwide conversation. Hydraulic fracturing is what fracking really is. It has become a debate on whether it is good or bad for the earth. Fracking has negative effects against the earth. This happens by how fracking is done, and what happens to the earth when fracking is made. Fracking has also a big effect on human health. It can cause many health problems for the people, especially those who live by the site. Fracking is done by injecting very high pressurized mixture of water, sand, and chemicals into the earth to break shale rock to release oil and/or gas to be used. Doing it this way has been connected to earthquakes occurring. Many people do not like this side effect of fracking, and are therefore discarding the idea of fracking. Fracking can also use fresh water to push out the oil and/or gas. By doing it this way a large amount of fresh water is used instead of providing freshwater for those in need. Facking sites are also very close to water systems, which makes it easy for the fracking chemicals to get absorbed in the water. The chemicals from fracking mixtures can get mixed into the water causing many health problems. The health problems have become a huge decision on whether fracking should stay or go. Since the fracking mixture can get into water, water pollution has...
Words: 465 - Pages: 2
...Fracking is defined as "the process of injecting liquid at high pressure into subterranean rocks, boreholes, etc., so as to force open existing fissures and extract oil or gas". This means that fracking is one of the methods used to gain access to the fossil fuels that help run our everyday lives. If you think about what you actually do on a daily basis practically everyone makes use of these fossil fuels routinely. Think about how it, many people drive to school or work, catch the bus, travel by train or airplane? Practically everyone across the globe definitely uses electricity to light and maintain and cool in their homes. In air traffic alone, today there are 5,000 airplanes flying through the sky at any given time and throughout the whole of 2016 alone there were 26,527 flights per day on average across the world! Now add all of the personal vehicles across the world and other means of transportation that all run on fossil fuel. Over the...
Words: 1955 - Pages: 8
