...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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...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...
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...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 shale needs to be, banned everywhere until further testing can actually be done to determine how safe it is to people and the environment. The US is participating in this method called fracking to extract...
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...Hydraulic fracturing, otherwise known as “fracking,” by definition, means the process of drilling and injecting fluid into the ground thousands of feet deep, at a high pressure; in order to fracture shale rocks to release the natural gases inside (Schrope n.d.). A more adequate explanation on to why we perform the method of “fracking” is that it is an easier process to obtain the natural gases inside the rocks. These natural gases are used for many sources of energy throughout the world. Natural gases have also been proven to be more cleaner and more efficient source than coal. The process of fracking involves drilling through deep wells into the shale rocks which breaks up the rock shales releasing these natural gases. While fracking has been a more efficient and cleaner process, there are many dangers that come along with this process which many people overlook. With many countries including the United States using fracking, it is still on going method that many still use today. With this, there are many pros and cons that come along with fracking. This has been a...
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...Hydraulic fracturing -- otherwise known as fracking -- is a process which allows us to retrieve oil and natural gas from shale. The process consists of a mixture of water and sand -- with the addition of a few chemicals to help carry the sand, keep bacteria from forming, and for lubrication -- being pumped down the wellbore and into the deep underground reservoir formations. The wellbore is the hole drilled beforehand, implemented with steel casing vertically and horizontally, creating the well. Before the trucks are able to pump the mixture down the casing, a perforating gun -- with shaped explosive charges -- would be sent to the end of the casing -- where the target shale is at -- and set off; creating holes which connect the wellbore to the reservoir....
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...Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a well stimulation process used to obtain natural resources from underground geological formations. Although used in several different applications, including the extraction of oil and geothermal energy, hydraulic fracturing in natural gas production from shale formations has recently taken center stage. It is estimated that shale gas will comprise over 20% of the total U.S. gas supply by 2020 (Energy Information Administration, 2009). As hydraulic fracturing has expanded, the public, media, and Congress have expressed rising concerns about the practice. Allegations of natural gas entering private water supplies, well explosions, and polluted streams have sparked controversy about fracking. In response, Congress directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in fiscal year 2010 to study hydraulic fracturing and its potential impacts on drinking water. The goal of this study is to determine whether hydraulic fracturing endangers drinking water and, if so, how these risks can be mitigated. The results of the study, expected by the end of 2012, will help inform EPA‟s regulatory response to hydraulic fracturing. However, given the urgency of fracking concerns, some members of both the public and the government have called for EPA to regulate or halt hydraulic fracturing now. Thus, EPA must consider the policy options available to address these concerns. This report has multiple objectives: to provide background on hydraulic fracturing,...
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...Hydrofracking Mark A Carabajal POL/215 August 6, 2015 Imran Anwar Hydrofracking A process for retrieving natural gas from 7,000 feet below the earth’s surface has caused environmental concerns. Hydrofracking has been around since the 40’s but wasn’t until the 90’s where technology allowed for a vertical drill to drill horizontally into shall deep below the surface creating several bores and accessing hundreds of acres of shale. Hydrofarcking comes with its controversy, some argue that it is contaminating water sources and creating environmental concerns, while others say there is no proof of this despite many studies. Benefits of hydrofracking Hyfrofracking allows easy access to natural gas at a time where our country has growing energy concerns. It allows access to energy sources that can be extracted, processed and then used by a consumer. Hydrofracking has been bringing good paying jobs to regions that may have had a low standard of living. Sates such as South Dakota, Colorado, and Wyoming are a few states with large rural areas that have benefited from the huge job growth the hydrofracking has produced. 72,000 jobs were created in Pennsylvania from 2009 to 2011. Local governments are willing to take short cuts due to huge amounts of dollars coming into the local, and state pockets. Fines also could be assessed by local and state inspectors that can result in even more revenue due to high fines. Natural gas is one of the cleanest burning fuels we use...
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...Hydraulic fracturing, which is sometimes called fracking, is when water mixed with various chemicals and other things is pumped into layers of slate, causing the natural gases trapped inside to be released and available for use. It is also causing horrible things and needs to stop. If hydraulic fracturing is stopped, the environment will be healthier, and people living near fracking wells will be more secure in their health and safety. One argument against this is that we need fracking to support the growing need for energy. Source #5 describes that now that we are in an age of tech where the world needs more energy than ever, it is possible we could run out of common energy resources. Experts fear that these shortages could trigger a major...
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...1. Hydraulic Fracturing (Hydrofracking): The Risks and Rewards of the Controversial Drilling Technique And the debate has been loud, as would be expected when enough natural gas to satisfy US demand for at least a decade is set against possible harm to the water supply for almost 10 million people in one of the world capitals of media, finance, and law. The real risk is pollution. Hydraulic fracturing can be done using nothing but pure water and clean sand—in fact, those are the substances used for opening up drinking water wells. However, for a number of reasons, including cost, availability, and other desired properties, a wide variety of other substances are also used, including: • Diesel fuel (used because it’s more effective at carrying the proppant into fissures than water), which contains benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene, and naphthalene. • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. • Methanol. • Formaldehyde. • Ethylene glycol. • Glycol ethers. • Hydrochloric acid. • Sodium hydroxide. These chemicals are present in concentrations many times harmful levels. While much of the fracturing fluid is pumped out after doing its job (and it has to be pumped out, to clear the way for oil or gas), it’s impossible to get it all. Studies show that 20–40 percent of the fluid will remain underground. (Note: the study was commissioned in the context of using hydraulic fracturing to extract methane from coal...
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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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...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...
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...What is Hydraulic Fracturing? Hydraulic fracturing is the process of drilling for natural gas and oil underneath the ground. Hydraulic fracturing is a procedure that can increase the flow of oil or gas from a well (what is Fracking, 2013). Hydraulic Fracturing Process It is done by pumping liquids down a well into subsurface rock units under pressures that are high enough to fracture the rock and release the gas. The goal is to create a network of interconnected fractures that will serve as pore spaces for the movement of oil and natural gas to the well bore (King, 2013). Hydraulic Fracturing in the United States, Europe and South America The first use of hydraulic fracturing to stimulate oil and natural gas wells in the United States was in the 1940s (King, 2013). This process used in nine out of 10 natural gas wells in the United States. In December 2012 the British government gave the approval for exploratory hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas from shale-rock deposits (Reed, 2012). In 2011, a horizontal well with multi-stage hydraulic fracturing was completed in the Neuquén Basin of Argentina. It was the first horizontal gas shale well and the deepest shale gas well in South America (Halliburton, 2013). Economic Impact/Concern of Hydraulic Fracturing According to the Global Fund Exchange, there are a number of environmental concerns related to hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing fluids...
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...Fracking Fracking is a process used by drilling companies to release gas or recover oil found under the ground below the shale rock. The process involves drilling horizontally into the ground using a high pressure mixture of water, sand, and chemicals. The goal of the drilling is to release the gas or oil located in pockets under the ground. This process is known as fracking because the drilling process causes the rocks under the ground to fracture. Fracking is the current method used to release gas and oil from under the ground but the process creates many concerns due to its danger to human life and the environment. The use of fracking to release natural gas from the earth has created major concern. Currently the gas and oil industry are on a hunt for natural gas and oil within the United States. As a result, production has been expanded creating more drilling projects across the nation. The development of new innovated technologies has also expanded the capabilities of drilling companies to locate and extract natural gas and oil then used to produce energy. According to the Natural Resource Defense Council, the industry has drilled hundreds of thousands of new wells all across the country (2010). The advancement of fracking methods have created environmental dangers and risks to human health. Fracking results in the industrialization of once untouched rural lands. When the drills forces dangerous chemicals, sand, and water into the ground, it increases the level of air...
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...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...
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...Most people cannot light their tap water on fire; however, Mike Markham from Weld County in Colorado did in the film Gasland (23:35). This may not be any more rare because of fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing, also referred to as fracking, is a highly controversial process in which shale gas is extracted from the earth by injecting pressurized liquid into a deeper reservoir to fracture rocks. This technique has been widely used by many oil companies in central and eastern states. While proponents argue that it is safe and is needed to reduce America’s greenhouse gas emissions, critics claim that it may be causing earthquakes and are contaminating water systems. Hydraulic fracking is a process that many companies use. “Put simply, hydraulic fracturing...
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