Fracking: Hydraulic Fracturing
What is fracking? Fracking, formally known as Hydraulic Fracturing, is the process of drilling straight down into the earth, then drilling horizontally to create cracks in the ground. A combination of water, sand, and added chemicals are pumped at a high pressure to expand and hold the cracks open to extract the gas. It is a technique that has been used in the United States for over 60 years, and many more to come (Bierstedt 641). The thing many people are concerned about is fracking’s effect on the environment. Even though many people have environmental concerns about fracking, the economic benefits outweigh the concerns because fracking can gain the U.S. freedom to produce their own energy and has created and will continue to create many
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ExxonMobil, one of the largest fracking companies in the world, work hard to reduce impacts in the environment and take many precautions to ensure safe water supplies near the wells (Thompson). One study performed by the Environmental Protection Agency proved that though there were a few contaminated wells, the number “was small compared to the number of (fracked) wells,” (“Fracking, with care”). The Groundwater Protection Council from Oklahoma City is a non-profit association for controlling groundwater and underground injection (Howarth, Ingraffea, and Engelder 271).The GPC have performed several studies, and have found that all regulations in the state were effective, and out of 10,000 complaints, one complaint had real problems with contamination, and its cause was unrelated to fracking (“Groundwater”). They say that the pressure of methane is reduced during gas production, causing a downward flow of fluids, and that the risk of contamination comes from flow back fluids, which leak into streams or seep into groundwater after reaching the surface (Howarth, Ingraffea, and Engelder 271). Water that flows back to the surface is treated for safe disposal (Howarth, Ingraffea, and Engelder 271). The fracking industry is beginning to recycle the dangerous fluids used, and all causes of contamination can be fixed or prevented (Howarth, Ingraffea, Engelder
ExxonMobil, one of the largest fracking companies in the world, work hard to reduce impacts in the environment and take many precautions to ensure safe water supplies near the wells (Thompson). One study performed by the Environmental Protection Agency proved that though there were a few contaminated wells, the number “was small compared to the number of (fracked) wells,” (“Fracking, with care”). The Groundwater Protection Council from Oklahoma City is a non-profit association for controlling groundwater and underground injection (Howarth, Ingraffea, and Engelder 271).The GPC have performed several studies, and have found that all regulations in the state were effective, and out of 10,000 complaints, one complaint had real problems with contamination, and its cause was unrelated to fracking (“Groundwater”). They say that the pressure of methane is reduced during gas production, causing a downward flow of fluids, and that the risk of contamination comes from flow back fluids, which leak into streams or seep into groundwater after reaching the surface (Howarth, Ingraffea, and Engelder 271). Water that flows back to the surface is treated for safe disposal (Howarth, Ingraffea, and Engelder 271). The fracking industry is beginning to recycle the dangerous fluids used, and all causes of contamination can be fixed or prevented (Howarth, Ingraffea, Engelder