...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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...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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...is a large debate about fracking. Fracking is the process of forming new gases instead of using fossil fuels. This debate considers on whether fracking is better for the society or if it’s harming humanity. Those who agree that fracking is a good idea have a claim of saying that it is a short to medium term to meeting our demands for a lower cost in energy. However, those who disagree state that it is harmful because of the amount of gas it is producing into the atmosphere. So is fracking resourceful or is it harmful?The pros of fracking are that it produces less harmful gases into the atmosphere than coal.Stated in Source B, “Using natural gas to heat our homes...
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...Fracking is the process in which a drill is drilled down into the earth before high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside. Water, sand, and chemicals are injected into the rock at high pressures which allow the gas flow to flow out. Many have opposing views towards fracking. Others don’t oppose the idea of fracking, in fact, they believe it would help the environment. One would be on the pro side or the con. Some cons would be: The chemicals pumped into the rocks could eventually reach groundwater, and companies don’t have to provide information on what chemicals they have used. The pros would be: the United States would become less dependent, and it provides a safer way to obtain gas. Obtaining natural...
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...The demand of increasing energy resources has tormented the United States in the past few decades. The availability of these resources has become questionable for the future not knowing what can be done for the sustainability of the United States. The United States would like to develop a method to obtain renewable and environment-friendly energy sources for the future. In this paper, I will be elaborating on the process of increasing oil and gas production with the method of “fracking”. What is fracking? This is a question I asked myself when doing this research paper. The solution of hydraulic fracturing also knowing as “fracking” is a quite interesting method that was discovered many years ago but has it’s pro and cons. Fracking is defined...
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...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 surface. There are many pros and...
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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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...Critical Thinking Scenario John Doe ETH/316 August 5, 2015 Critical Thinking Scenario Wyoming's Upper Green River Valley is a crucial link to Yellowstone ecosystem. Every year thousands of animals including Antelope, Elk, and Mule deer, pass through the valley on a long migration from the Grand Tetons to their winter grazing pastures. This valley is also home to the rare Sage-Grouse. The valley is also the home to the vital trout habitat of the headwaters of the Colorado River. People have compared the green valley river environment to the environment of the Serengeti, because of the spectacular variety of wildlife. Locals and environmentalist say it is starting to look like Saudi Arabia because of the natural gas drilling sites. So the question is to drill or not to drill this is what we will discuss in this essay. Scientist and other experts claim that there’s large pockets of natural gas in this geological region and is attracting many natural gas companies to drill and extract this natural gas. Nightline reported an article stating “Experts have estimated that there’s roughly 20 trillion cubic feet of gas here. That would supply the entire nation’s natural gas needs for about a year. The same geological formation that creates a natural corridor for wildlife also holds rich deposits of natural gas, miles beneath the surface. This country’s increasing demand for natural gas coupled with new technology is turning this area into a bonanza for the energy industry...
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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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...oil and natural gas have greatly increased in the USA in the last 3 years because of controversial fracking and drilling methods. This unconventional horizontal drilling method produced more natural gas and shale oil than people thought possible. This new type of drilling could be done under the economic conditions and with the technology we currently have. For the first time since 1975, the US produced over 36 billion barrels of oil. In 2005, the need for imported oil decreased. Instead, an improved domestic supply of oil from fracking methods was...
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...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...
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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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...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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...power to ensure that there are interrelations between the levels of government. These powers ensure that the Constitution of the United States stays intact and protects the people of the nation. Each level provides an essential role in the way our government proceeds in every decision. The Legislative Branch, summed up, created laws and policies. Although the laws and policies are written, they are not yet legal within the system. The Executive Branch is the next step. This branch can either sign off on the laws and policies or veto them. These laws and policies are now legal. The Judicial Branch has the authority to overturn those laws and policies if they are deemed to be unconstitutional. An advantage of this distribution of powers is that the communication to weigh the pros and cons is more in depth and does not leave decisions to be made the same way as a dictatorship. Another advantage is that although decisions may be made to pass laws or policies, the final say falls under whether those laws or policies are constitutional. The disadvantages of this distribution of powers are that if one group does not agree with the laws or policies, they have the power to veto which prolongs the decision-making process. In certain circumstances, this can have a detrimental effect on the people as it could be a benefit to them. "Hydro-fracking." A strange combination of words with a definition that is very scary but at the same time...
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...The co-founders of the company, 1366 technologies, Ely Sachs and Frank van Mierlo, have a choice in order to place their company in a lea dining position in the world-wide solar industry. The first option available to the company is to expand its business operations in order to produce the silicon wafers itself and in order to do that, the management of the company would raise the required financing from the later stage growth equity investors or from the Department of energy. The manufacturing of the wafers would be done by the company in the United States and then it would export those wafers to the Asian cell manufactures. On the other hand, the second option for 1366 Technologies was to go for a licensing agreement or a joint venture. Through this partnership approach, the company would rapidly gain scaling and it would also allow the Asian partners to lower their costs of production. The management of the company has always supported the accelerated growth however; the company might face significant risks if the intellectual property is exposed to the wrong partners. If the management of the company considers this option, it would lose its technology however, looking at the pace of innovation in the industry and the changes in the solar industry caused by the active involvement of the governments, Sachs and van Mierlo knew that they could not win the race by being cautious. First of all, if we interpret the Levelized cost of energy (LCOE) comparison and its sensitivity...
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