What is fracking and how has it turned the energy production industry on its head?
Although the word is occasionally used as a mild expletive, fracking is the process of injecting liquid at high pressure into deep, underground rocks and boreholes (narrow shafts bored in the ground, either vertically or horizontally) to fracture them and extract oil or gas.
The fracking findustry has been part of oil and gas production since the 1860s and is today responsible for the majority of natural gas and oil production in the United States. As such, supporters focus on how fracking has given the U.S. more energy independence and has created nearly 10 million jobs for Americans. Fracking is also often touted as the best solution for retrieving less accessible hydrocarbons, which are organic chemical compounds of carbon and hydrogen.
On the other hand, fracking critics are concerned about its impact on the environment and public health, citing water quality and pollution, greenhouse gas emissions (including methane emissions), and seismicity issues as the bases for their opposition.
In this guide, we’ll answer the question “What is fracking?” We’ll also explore why this worldwide practice is controversial and how it impacts people and the planet.
What Is Fracking? How Does It Work?
Also known as hydraulic fracturing, hydrofracking, and hydrofracturing, fracking is the process of fracturing underground bedrock deep in the Earth to extract oil and natural gas. To do this, pressurized liquid (fracking fluid) is used.
Hydraulic fracturing begins with a vertical or angled wellbore (drilled hole that aids in the exploration and recovery of natural resources), extending a mile or more deep underground. As the borehole approaches the fossil fuel deposits, horizontal drilling begins. That section of the borehole can reach several thousand feet.
Steel casings are inserted into the well, and cement is used to fully or partially fill the space between the casing exterior and surrounding rock. Sometimes the casing is pre-perforated, or the drilling crew uses a perforating gun.
What Is Fracking and Is it Sustainable? Getting Down to the Basicsby Just Energy | Educational, Sustainable EnergyWhat Is Fracking | Energy Production Industrial imageWhat is fracking and how has it turned the energy production industry on its head? Although the word is occasionally used as a mild expletive, fracking is the process of injecting liquid at high pressure into deep, underground rocks and boreholes (narrow shafts bored in the ground, either vertically or horizontally) to fracture them and extract oil or gas. The fracking industry has been part of oil and gas production since the 1860s and is today responsible for the majority of natural gas and oil production in the United States. As such, supporters focus on how fracking has given the U.S. more energy independence and has created nearly 10 million jobs for Americans. Fracking is also often touted as the best solution for retrieving less accessible hydrocarbons, which are organic chemical compounds of carbon and hydrogen. On the other hand, fracking critics are concerned about its impact on the environment and public health, citing water quality and pollution, greenhouse gas emissions (including methane emissions), and seismicity issues as the bases for their opposition. In this guide, we’ll answer the question “What is fracking?” We’ll also explore why this worldwide practice is controversial and how it impacts people and the planet. What Is Fracking? How Does It Work? Also known as hydraulic fracturing, hydrofracking, and hydrofracturing, fracking is the process of fracturing underground bedrock deep in the Earth to extract oil and natural gas. To do this, pressurized liquid (fracking fluid) is used. Hydraulic fracturing begins with a vertical or angled wellbore (drilled hole that aids in the exploration and recovery of natural resources), extending a mile or more deep underground. As the borehole approaches the fossil fuel deposits, horizontal drilling begins. That section of the borehole can reach several thousand feet. Steel casings are inserted into the well, and cement is used to fully or partially fill the space between the casing exterior and surrounding rock. Sometimes the casing is pre-perforated, or the drilling crew uses a perforating gun. The fracking fluid is pumped at high pressure into the space around the casing, either creating new fractures or expanding existing cracks in the surrounding rock. These rock fractures allow oil or natural gas to flow to the surface. Call Just Energy at 866-288-3105 for Great Energy RatesOnce workers have completed the fracking process on the natural gas well, the shale rock formation’s internal pressure pushes fluid up through the wellbore to the surface. The fluid, known as “flowback” or “produced water,” may contain the injected chemicals, plus naturally occurring hydrocarbons, radionuclides (a radioactive atom or nucleus), brines, and metals. The flowback and produced water are stored on-site, either in tanks or pits. At some point, flowback and produced water are generally disposed of deep underground or recycled in other gas and oil production wells. If it’s possible to treat the flowback and produced water at a wastewater treatment facility, the treated fluid is discharged to surface water.
The fracking fluid is pumped at high pressure into the space around the casing, either creating new fractures or expanding existing cracks in the surrounding rock. These rock fractures allow oil or natural gas to flow to the surface.
What’s in Fracking Fluid?
Fracking Fluid Illustration of Flow and ProcesssourceFracking fluid includes chemical additives and proppants (tiny particles that keep the fractures open). According to a 2015 report by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), hydraulic fracturing fluids contain 88% water (by mass), 10% quartz proppant, and less than 1% additives. The report also shows that 428 hydraulic fracking operators across 20 states listed 698 unique chemical ingredients as part of their fracking fluid. Hydrochloric acid, methanol, and hydro-treated light petroleum distillates accounted for more than 65% of the additives disclosed and analyzed. In more than 93% of those disclosures, water was the base fluid, with reported volumes between 30,000 and 7.2 million gallons of water. Only 29% of reporting operators disclosed the source of the water. Most of the information (68%) about the sources didn’t distinguish the water sources as groundwater or surface water, only identifying the sources as “fresh.” According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), fracking operators can exclude disclosures of certain chemicals if they consider them trade secrets even though most states with oil and gas production now have rules requiring disclosure of chemical additives.
How Does Hydraulic Fracking Impact the Environment?
Land use, water consumption and contamination, methane emissions, noise pollution, and public health are all affected by fracking. Of those, the most significant risks to human health are water and air pollution.