SUMMARY summary Fracking is a cheap source of energy that is extracted by injecting liquids under high pressure in a metal and concrete tube. The high pressure liquids form fractures in the shale that releases natural gas which can be collected. Hydraulic fracturing well are quicker to drill than traditional wells. They also take less space because they go down then branch out from each other. These wells also take less space than old wells. The size of the well is the size of a 2 car garage. The Fracking process takes place down 5,000ft. Fracking fluids are 90% water, 9.5% is sand, and .5% is different chemicals. The fracking fluid varies from each well. The US EPA (Environmental protection agency) states that there is no problem with fracking. The fracking wells are also in a steel and cement casing to prevent the fracking fluids from leaking into the water. The amount of shielding used is equivalent to a bank vault. The used fracking liquid is reused, put in injection wells( wells that put the waste in the ground) or they put the liquid in a in waste water plant. However, only 10-30% of the fracking fluid is recovered. Have you ever been worried that something that isn't supposed in your water? Well, you should be worried, because that something is the toxic fluids that get into your water pipes. The source of these fluids is called fracking. Fracking is when large companies pump fluids into the ground at high pressure. Each gas well requires an average of 400 tanker trucks to transport the supplies and water to and from the sites. It takes 1-8 million gallons of water to complete one fracturing job. The water brought in from the trucks is mixed with sand and chemicals to create fracking fluid. Approximately, 40,000 gallons of chemicals are used in one fracking operation.
Points Of View Different people can have different point of views on the subject of fracking. Driller: A driller who is actually doing the work, could be on both sides. He could be against fracking, because he might not be getting paid as much as he’d like to and he might have to get up early every day to go to work. He might like fracking because it gives them a job and gives people energy. Nearby Resident: A nearby resident would be strongly against fracking. Fracking could be ruining their water supply and digging up land making the view hideous to look at. There would also be the noise of drilling all the time Manager: Someone who is running the fracking process and is getting paid to boss people around, might say that fracking is the best way in the world to get energy. What they don’t know is that fracking could be getting into people’s water pipes and contaminating the water.
Reflections
John's Reflection: When I was studying this topic I learned about the many pros, cons, issues and point of views about fracking. This paragraph is about what I think about fracking. Fracking gives people jobs because people must be hired to drill the wells, bring water to frack the and maintain to the wells. The US EPA (environmental protection agency) states that hydraulic fracking makes a lot more gas and oil available to people.
However some of the chemicals used in fracking fluids, such as mercury and lead do not seem safe for the environment. The disposal methods of fracking fluids also don’t seem safe or good for the environment. Fracking companies say they either let the left over fracking fluids evaporate or put them in the ground. One more thing that makes fracking look bad is that even web sites that are pro for fracking say that only 10-30% of the fracking fluids are recovered when people frack a well. I think that fracking should be done in areas where no people live. Fracking should be done in these areas because even though the fracking process takes place really deep underground there are still cases of groundwater contamination. After studying this topic I decided that fracking is bad where people live and is okay where people don’t live.
Lyle’s Reflection: This article was very resourceful and helpful, especially after a little concentration (and a donut)! By reading this article, I found out about the advantages and disadvantages of using natural gas for an energy source. I now understand more about the fracking process and the possible dangers it could create. The author makes a good point that if it is done very carefully, fracking seems to pollute the environment less than using coal for energy. However, there is a lot of work to be done to be sure the environment is protected when we use natural gas. Also, if the drillers don’t know what they’re doing, then burning coal seems like a better option, and that is saying something. Even though this article tells us a little bit about how bad fracking is, it also tells us about how important natural gas is to our way of living.
Many people have strong opinions about fracking. Some say that it’s a very resourceful way to get energy, while some say that it’s horrible for the environment. I feel torn, because it’s true that fracking is a better way to get energy instead of burning coal, but it’s also relevant that it is terrible for the environment. “Some studies have shown that natural gas could, in fact, be worse for the climate than coal.”-Jeff Goodell This seems to be a powerful statement, because it refers to studies showing facts. First, each fracking job takes about 400 tanker trucks to get all the fuels and chemicals needed. Next, it takes 1-8 million gallons of water per fracturing job, and some people wonder why we’re in a drought! Last, fracking is a major health problem. Some of the contaminated water can get into our water system, and then where would we be? “Countries around the world are celebrating new oil and natural gas discoveries that hold the promise of greater prosperity for their citizens.”-Bob Beauprez. Fracking also helps people by producing natural gases that provide energy. As you can see, fracking is good in some ways, and bad in others, and who knows? Maybe the government will make a law saying that fracking is illegal, or it might continue for the rest of time. Either way, we should be sure to minimize the downsides of fracking if we continue to do it.
Conner's Reflection: I think that this article was very helpful because I learned about the ups and the downs of the fracking. Although fracking is bad, it doesn't really matter if you’re in the middle of nowhere, plus it does provide much cheaper energy.
This website is focused on how Hydraulic Fracking is good but I’m not so sure that this is always the case. Fracking does pollute water systems and the air. Contaminated water could also get into our water system which would be really bad considering that we are in a drought. As you can see, fracking can be both very helpful and dangerous in two very different ways.
Darragh's Reflection: The article California Plans Tighter Control of Fracking, but Not Enough for Some was mostly about fracking in CA. I learned about the laws and regulations concerning fracking. I think fracking is horrible because it pollutes the water system and can cause animals and people to die. Arlington TX Barnett Shale Blogger states that at least three people have died from the water pollution. The pipes carrying chemicals break and then the chemicals gets into the water making it flammable.
Fracking is harmful in many ways. It requires clearing land of animals, plants, and humans. Fracking uses a lot of water, a precious resource, and results in surface water that contains chemicals, heavy metals, minerals, and salts, according to the USA Today article “4 States Confirm Water Pollution”. As you can see fracking is an unhealthy process by which to obtain fuel.