T. J.

Miller November 9, 2013 Technology 1030 Hydraulic Fracturing Oil and natural gas is one of the most sought after resource in todays world. Unfortunately its also one that is buried within the earth making it difficult to get to. One way that we do get this oil and natural gas is by a process called hydraulic fracturing or Fracking. In this paper we will discuss what fracking is, how it works, and the positives and negatives that come from this process. The process of hydraulic fracturing or fracking can be explained fairly simply. First what happens is a drill pipe and bit are drilled in to the ground. Drilling mud is sent back into the whole to keep the drill cool and lubricate the bit. This also helps stabilize the pipe. The drilling continues past the aquifer level or the ground water level. There are thousands of feet of rock that separate the ground water and the Shale reserves which is what is being used to get the oil and natural gas. At this point the drill is removed and a steel pipe called steel casing is placed inside the new hole to keep the wells sides stabilized. This creates a barrier for both the well stream and any underground water reservoirs. Cement is then pumped through the well and the pipe permanently securing the pipe in place. This also acts as a seal to keep the fresh water reserves from contamination and keeping water from entering the well flow. Once the steel casing is in

place it is pressure tested so that nothing can seep out into the rock formation that has been drilled in to. More casing and cementing is done to again seal the well. The pipe and drill bit are again lowered into the well and drilling continues. At a certain depth there is a special motor that turns the drill so that it drills horizontally in the Shale reserve layer. Once the length is reached the steel casing and cementing is again done the entire length of the well bore. Now a perforating tool is then inserted that creates holes in the shale layer. This allows hydro carbons to enter the well stream. Now that the well hole is made and ready, fracturing fluid is then sent through the well. This fluid is mainly made of water and sand. The fluid is then pumped into the shale holes opening tiny fractures deep into the shale. The water is then removed but the sand remains so that the holes stay open allowing gas to travel into and up the well. The fracturing process is repeated throughout the entire length of the well. Now with all the fractures done and the well in place the process is complete and the well will be able to operate for the next twenty to forty years. The effects of this well system can be many. Some of the positives are cleaner burning, an economic boost, and the creation of jobs. The Shale oil and natural gas that is extracted from these wells can have a benefit to the environment. Natural gas is much more efficient and cleaner burning than coal is. When burned, natural gas releases fifty-eight percent less carbon dioxide into the air than coal does and thirty-three percent less than oil. This could be used as a transitional fuel to prepare for other energies such as solar and wind.

Another benefit that comes from fracking is the economic boost. Since fracking is happening here in the U.S. we would become less dependent of foreign oil. There is around an estimated 262 trillion cubic feet of gas throughout the country. This much gas could sustain the U.S. for almost fifty-four years without any foreign oil. This also helps with the electricity used by Americans. If we only increase the use of natural gas by twenty-five percent and continue to use coal, oil, and renewable energy sources we could run the country for near 132 years. Having all of this natural gas and oil local would cause an increase in jobs and better economic stability. If allowed to operate in more places the companies that run the drilling would need to hire more people. This creates jobs in several different ways. The companies would need drivers and operators to do the drilling and transfer the materials needed around while the places that they go to operate will also get a boost in their economy. Places like super markets and grocery stores would see an increase of sales as well as living situations. Apartments would be needed to house the influx of people. With this increase of economy in those areas the local schools, police stations, and other public buildings could be improved. Also the roads would be improved to handle the increased traffic. Another potential positive is the global effect that this would have. Currently the U.S. is experiencing an energy boom created by fracking. Proponents of fracking praise its economic benefits, while many foreign policy experts say this developing energy independence may give the U.S. new leverage in world affairs. With all of these positive things however there are draw backs to hydraulic fracturing. One of the biggest issues that companies are facing is the potential contamination to water

supplies. Though the process of the steel casing and cementing of the well is supposed to seal the fresh water aquifers from the wells, there have been issues with contaminated water. Though not completely proven to be the source many people suspect that the drilling operation is doing damage to the fresh water. Some have also said that their tap water has become flammable. This issue is due to the fact that the fracking process usually many harmful chemicals. Though made mainly of water and sand, the fluid pumped into the cracks of the shale layer do contain chemicals like kerosene, benzene, hydrochloric acid, and many other dangerous substances. For each drilling project more than fifteen thousand gallons of these chemicals are used. This is a problem as well because these chemicals need to be transported and they have to do that by truck. If there happened to be a spill the damage to the environment would be severe. Another concern is the water that is needed to do the drilling process. It takes four million gallons of water to drill and retrieve the gas. This water has to come from local streams and rivers and is used until the job is done which can limit where drilling can take place. Unfortunately most of the water that is used cannot be used again. Because of the chemicals put in the mixture it is a very expensive process the recycle that water and it most places are not equipped to handle such a job. Since this is so expensive and particular the waste water, in many cases, sits in man-made ponds. This runs the risk to both humans and wildlife to exposure to these harmful chemicals. The last concern Ill talk about with the water is a concern about methane seeping from the wells and into the water aquifers. This is the reason some people claim that their water is flammable.

Though many of the problems with the water havent been con cretely proven, many people feel anxious of the water that they drink to the point of purchasing more bottled water and making that their main intake source of water. Something that is an issue is the destruction of land. The wells take requires approximately four acres of land and must be cleared in order for construction to take place. As you can see there are a lot of positives and negatives to hydraulic fracturing. The economic benefits and the move to the U.S. becoming more independent on oil and natural gas is a big step. Unfortunately this process isnt perfect and issues due happen. The destruction of land and the possible contamination of fresh water could be quite detrimental. I myself am a little controversial on my stance of fracking. Though the drilling doesnt affect me too much here in Utah I can see why some people dont want this in their backyard. Having a potential water contamination would be really hard especially for farmers. However the decrease in gas and electric prices is almost necessary to be able to save any sort of money for a future. Many people argue both ways but overall I would have to go with allowing this process to happen. This has a bigger effect on more people allowing fracking to happen. The U.S. has been struggling greatly with amount of oil that needs to be shipped in and now we have a chance to decrease that greatly. Also the lower emissions that would cause cleaner air are a nice thought. Living in the Salt Lake valley during the winter the air can get really bad. It takes a good storm to blow out all that smog and having less of it naturally would be amazing. And who wouldnt love lower gas prices and a lower electric bill.

In conclusion the fracking process is fairly simple to understand and the drilling process doesnt take too long. Drilling into the shale layer and extracting oil and natural gas could be very beneficial. The positives and negatives are still being weighed and challenged. It can either way depending on where you are. For those affected in a negative way drilling could ruin your lively hood but for those we wouldnt feel the effects of the drilling process might see this as a no brainer and want this done more.

Video of Shale drilling process. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YemKzEPugpk&feature=player_embedded

(2013). EnergyFromShale. Retrieved from http://www.energyfromshale.org/ Deem, Frank. (2011, October). Benefits from fracking outweigh any negatives. Retrieved from http://journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/569446/Benefits-from-frackingoutweigh-any-negatives.html?nav=5061

Positives, Negatives, Uncertainty, and Opinions on Hydro fracturing in the Marcellus Shale. (2011, May). Retrieved from http://www.gov.allconet.org/pr/FRACKING%20RESEARCH%20PAPER%20FINAL-5-2711.pdf

Dedman, Bill. (2013, April). Disputes Over Environmental Impact of Fracking Obscure its Future. Retrieved from http://www.cnbc.com/id/100623670 United States Environment Protection Agency. (2013, July). Natural Gas ExtractionHydraulic Fracturing. Retrieved from http://www2.epa.gov/hydraulicfracturing