What is Hydraulic Fracturing?

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.