What is Hydraulic Fracturing?
15 Questions
0 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What was the original purpose of using explosives in oil wells?

  • To pump water into the well
  • To shatter surrounding rock
  • To increase oil flow (correct)
  • To extract fossil fuels directly
  • What replaced torpedoes in the 1940s for increasing oil flow in wells?

  • Highly pressurized units of water (correct)
  • Slickwater
  • Horizontal drilling
  • Explosives
  • What is the primary component of fracking fluid?

  • Sand
  • Water (correct)
  • Ethylene glycol
  • Chemicals
  • What is the purpose of plastic balls in the fracking process?

    <p>To shatter surrounding stone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of gas can be extracted using fracking methods?

    <p>Methane gas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between tight sands and shale gas extraction?

    <p>The type of rock formation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major environmental concern related to hydraulic fracking?

    <p>Contamination of groundwater sources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is shale a significant source of natural gas despite its wide dispersal rate?

    <p>Shale forms from the compacted muddy bottoms of ancient rivers and lakes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a benefit of hydraulic fracturing mentioned in the text?

    <p>Increase in American jobs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What regulates hydraulic fracking in the United States?

    <p>State and federal laws and regulations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of hydraulic fracturing?

    <p>To extract oil and natural gas from locations that have an abundance of fossil fuels but are hard to get to</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the origin of fossil fuels?

    <p>From ancient plants and animals that lived during the Carboniferous period</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term 'fracking' related to?

    <p>Hydraulic fracturing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main component of the mixture used in hydraulic fracturing?

    <p>Water, sand, and other chemicals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is credited with the origins of modern hydrofracking in the United States?

    <p>Colonel Edward A.L.Roberts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    What is Hydraulic Fracturing?

    • Hydraulic fracturing is a process used to extract oil and natural gas from locations that are difficult to access.
    • It involves blasting and breaking impermeable rock with a mixture of water, sand, and other chemicals to release trapped fossil fuels.

    History of Hydraulic Fracturing

    • Modern hydrofracking originated in the United States and was pioneered by Colonel Edward A.L. Roberts, who observed how artillery shots affected the landscape during the Civil War.
    • The process evolved over time, with advancements in technology, including the use of pressurized water, slickwater, and horizontal drilling.

    Mechanics of Hydraulic Fracturing

    • Fossil fuels form in sedimentary and metamorphic rock, including shale, sandstone, and limestone.
    • Fracking fluid is a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals used to fracture fuel-rich rock.
    • The process involves drilling a hole, horizontally, into the bedrock, shattering the surrounding stone, and forcing fracking fluid into the hole to extract oil and gas.

    Uses of Hydraulic Fracturing

    • Hydraulic fracturing is used to extract unconventional sources of gas and oil, including coalbed methane and tight sands.
    • Shale gas extraction is a common method of natural gas extraction, where fracking is used to release natural gas trapped in shale stone.

    Hydraulic Fracturing Today

    • Hydraulic fracturing is widely practiced in the United States, with 21 states having active fracking wells.
    • The number of hydraulic fracturing wells increased from 23,000 in 2000 to 300,000 in 2015, accounting for 67% of U.S. natural gas production and 51% of crude oil production.

    Environmental Concerns

    • Fracking fluid can contaminate groundwater sources and leach into local bodies of water, affecting ecosystems.
    • Drilling and using water to create fissures can cause earthquakes.
    • Fracking can also cause damage to building structures, injuries, and affect local wildlife.

    Economic Benefits

    • Hydraulic fracturing creates jobs, with the industry maintaining 9.8 billion jobs, accounting for 5.6% of total U.S. employment.
    • An increase in oil revenue boosts the economy.

    Laws Regulating Hydraulic Fracturing

    • Regulations vary by state, with federal restrictions also in place, including the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act.

    Alternatives to Hydraulic Fracturing

    • Sustainable energy sources, including solar power, wind power, hydroelectrical power, and nuclear power, offer alternatives to fracking.
    • These renewable resources are better for the environment and guarantee a constant power source.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Description

    Learn about the importance of fossil fuels, their composition, and formation process. Discover how they have contributed to the growth and development of the modern age.

    More Like This

    Discovering Hydraulic Fracturing
    10 questions
    Understanding Hydraulic Fracturing
    10 questions
    Gasland Documentary Quiz
    24 questions
    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Browser