Fracking:
Fracking is when we drill into the ground and spraying a high-pressure mix of water, sand, and chemicals at rock. The mix cracks the rock to release gas in the rock. More fracking has happened in the USA recently.
How is fracking done?
- A well is drilled and covered in steel to prevent leakage into ground water.
- Once natural gas or oil is found the well is curved and drilling is done across the rock’s surface.
- The high pressure mix of water, sand, and chemicals are sprayed through the cracking the rocks allowing oil & gas to flow through.
- Oil & gas are trapped. The waste created is stored at the site of fracking and then disposed of in an off-site waste management facility.
Potential environmental impacts of fracking:
If an accident were to occur, countless underground water reservoirs would be contaminated, harming the environment around it. Duke university showed that water drank near a fracking site had dangerous levels of methane. Large amounts of water are used and transported to the site, the trucks used leave a powerful carbon footprint. Fracking could cause small earthquakes.
Pros:
- Allows us to access oil & gas that were unable to recently
- Increased oil production & decreased prices
Cons:
- Can be extremely destructive to water supplies & air
- Produces an immense amount of greenhouse gases
- Drives us away from sustainable energy
- Prevents investment in renewable/sustainable energy
Sources:
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-14432401
http://www.livescience.com/34464-what-is-fracking.html
http://www.what-is-fracking.com