How does fracking work? - Mia Nacamulli

Summary

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a controversial method for extracting natural gas by drilling and injecting high-pressure fluid into shale rock formations. It involves significant water use, potential contamination of local water supplies, and concerns about induced seismic activity. Despite its environmental impacts, natural gas from fracking emits less carbon dioxide than coal, but methane leaks during the process can offset these benefits. The debate also extends to whether fracking detracts from developing renewable energy sources.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Natural gas is formed over millions of years from decaying organisms under intense heat and pressure.
• 🚧 Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a technology used to extract natural gas from deep underground.
• 🏕️ Fracking sites can be located in various environments, including remote deserts and residential areas.
• 🔩 The process begins with drilling a vertical wellbore, followed by a horizontal extension through shale rock.
• 💥 A perforating gun creates holes in the well casing to access the shale rock layer.
• 💦 Fracking fluid, primarily water with chemical additives, is pumped at high pressure to fracture the rock and release gas.
• 💧 Fracking uses significant amounts of water, averaging 3-6 million gallons per well, which can impact local water supplies.
• 🚰 Used fracking water, containing contaminants, must be stored, treated, or recycled, posing disposal challenges.
• 🚨 There are environmental concerns related to groundwater contamination, hazardous seepage, and potential earthquake risks.
• 🌱 While natural gas is considered cleaner than coal, methane leaks during fracking can have significant greenhouse gas impacts.
• 🌐 The debate over fracking includes its environmental impact, potential for water contamination, and the diversion of resources from renewable energy development.

Q & A

What is the natural gas formed from and how is it created?

Natural gas is formed from layers of decaying organisms that have been exposed to intense heat and pressure under the Earth's crust over millions of years.

What is hydraulic fracturing, also known as?

Hydraulic fracturing is also known as 'fracking,' a technology used to extract natural gas from previously inaccessible sources.

What is the process of horizontal drilling in fracking?

Horizontal drilling in fracking involves turning the wellbore 90 degrees and extending it horizontally for about 1.5 kilometers through the shale rock formation.

What is the purpose of creating small holes in the well's casing?

The small holes, created by a perforating gun, allow the fracking fluid to burst into the rock layer, initiating the fracturing process.

What is the primary component of fracking fluid?

The primary component of fracking fluid is water, making up more than 90% of the fluid, with the rest being chemical additives.

What are the three categories of chemical additives typically used in fracking fluid?

The three categories of chemical additives are acids for clearing debris and dissolving minerals, friction-reducing compounds to create slickwater, and disinfectants to prevent bacteria growth.

Why is sand or clay mixed into the water during fracking?

Sand or clay is mixed into the water to prop open the fissures created by the fracking process, allowing the gas and oil to continue leaking out after the pressure is released.

How much water does fracking use on average per well, and how does this compare to other industries?

Fracking uses an average of 3-6 million gallons of water per well, which is not a lot compared to agriculture, power plants, or golf course maintenance, but can have a notable impact on local water supply.

What are the environmental concerns associated with disposing of used fracking water?

Used fracking water contains contaminants like radioactive material, salts, heavy metals, and hydrocarbons, which need to be stored and disposed of properly to prevent contamination of groundwater and other environmental issues.

What are the potential risks of contamination and leakage during the fracking process?

Risks include fracturing directly into underground water, hazardous underground seepage and leakage, and inadequate treatment and disposal of highly-toxic wastewater, which can contaminate drinking water around a fracking site.

What is the controversy surrounding the environmental impact of methane leakage during the fracking process?

Methane leakage during the fracking process is a concern because methane is many times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, potentially offsetting the environmental benefits of burning natural gas over coal.

How does the debate on fracking relate to the development of renewable energy sources?

The controversy includes whether fracking takes time, money, and research away from the development of cleaner renewable energy sources, given that natural gas is non-renewable and the focus on short-run economic interests may not align with long-term climate change goals.

What has been the response of various countries and regions to the practice of fracking?

Many countries and regions have banned fracking in response to environmental concerns, despite its role in reshaping the global energy landscape.