Cement and Hydraulic Fracking

859 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Positive aspects of fracking

Within the past year the growing topic of discussion in Southern Illinois has been hydraulic fracking. Simply put, hydraulic fracking is “a process in which fractured rocks below the earth’s surface are opened and widened by injecting chemicals and liquids at high pressure: used especially to extract natural gas or oil.” (“hydraulic fracking”, dictionary.com) Hydraulic fracking, as with any other topic, has both positives and negatives. Although this is hardly new, it is continuously growing and so is the controversy surrounding it. Hydraulic fracking is a technique where you blast shale rocks that are underground with a mixture of sand, water and other chemicals to break apart the shale rocks and release the hydrocarbons inside of them. The blasting creates “fractures” within the rocks that allow the hydrocarbons to release. (“Fracking”, p. 1, greenpeace.org) This is where the name hydraulic fracking or “fracturing” came from. The hydrocarbons that are being released are natural gases and oil. The shale rocks that are blasted lie deep underground all throughout the United States and various other places on Earth. The industries refer to these shale rock formations as “shale plays”. (“Fracking”, p. 1, greenpeace.org) Some of the shale plays contain more hydrocarbons than others. In Illinois there are two rock formations: the New Albany Shale in the Southeast and the Maquoketa Group Shale in the North. (“The Big Frack”, p. 1, illinoisissues.uis.edu) As time goes on and we continue to advance in drilling techniques the easier it has become to remove these hydrocarbons. Due to the many advances, the United States natural gas production is now the highest it has been since the early 1970’s. (“Fracking”, p. 1, greenp... ... middle of paper ... ...m is happening too fast with insufficient concern for the potential cumulative impacts on our most critical resources – clean air, safe drinking water and a stable climate. Works Cited "hydraulic fracturing." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 09 May. 2014. . Stone, Les “Fracking.” Greenpeace. Greenpeace, 10 Jan. 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. Dunn, Jamey “The Big Frack.” Illinois Issues. Illinois Issues, May 2012. Web. 9 May 2014. McDermott, Kevin “Fracking Comes to Illinois Amid A Wave of Money and Controversy.” St. Louis Today. St. Louis Today, 19 June 2013. Web. 9 May, 2014. "How to Make Vegetarian Chili." eHow. Demand Media, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2009. McCarthy, Dan. “Fracking: The Good, The Bad, and The Possibilities”. Fastcompany. Fast Company. 19, Sep. 2011. Web. 9, May 2014.

Show More
Related

  • The Accretions of Gander, Nashoba, and Avalon onto the Laurentian Margin Martha Parsons

    2211 Words  | 5 Pages

    ...J.C. (2004) Mylonites and Brittle Shear Zones Along the Western Edge of the Avalon Terrane West of Boston, NEIGC Field Trip Guide.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Fracking Hell: The Untold Story

    711 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the video “Fracking Hell: The Untold Story” by Link TV explains how natural gas has been a huge problem not only for the earth in general but for everyone and everything living in it. The video explains how North East of Pennsylvania is having difficulties to conserve a healthy environment and people. North East of Pennsylvania is the main sources to extract gas and send it throughout the United States for gasoline and so on. However, this action is wonderful for the cost of gas, but has a huge impact on the environment and the people living in Pennsylvania. A lot of people in this state are worried having health issues because everything is not usable is being thrown out to the rivers where they get their fresh water.

    Read More

  • The Pros and Cons of Fracking

    1351 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hoffman, Joe. "Potential Health and Environmental Effects of Hydrofracking in the Williston Basin, Montana." Serc.carleton.edu. Carleton College, n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. .

    Read More

  • Filling the Void: Hydraulic Fracturing

    1272 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hydraulic fracturing, also commonly referred to as fracking, is a type of drilling for natural gas and oil that started in the 1940’s. In the beginning, when a well was slowing down, dynamite or TNT were placed inside the well head and detonated to help the flow of gas and oil by expanding natural cracks and veins in the earth. This method of fracking was used extensively for almost fifty years in the United States until the easy to mine and profitable oil had been almost completely tapped. A new form of hydraulic fracking was created in the early 90’s to help capture the less available oil and gas pockets remaining in the United States. The current method of fracking begins by drilling a vertical shaft lined with several piping layers and an outer layer of cement up to 10,000 feet deep. After achieving the appropriate vertical length a horizontal shaft is cut off of the vertical shaft that can stretch to lengths up to one mile long. A mixture of sand, water, and chemicals are injected in the shaft fracturing the shale formations and release pockets of oil and natural gas. The water is brought back to the surface where the gas and oil is separated out. The issue many people have with fracking is the possible side effects of chemicals used and water contamination. With the use of fracking helping American’s reach energy independence, economic benefits, and a bridge to help attain a clean energy source; fracking should be expanded in the United States.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Fracking

    1715 Words  | 4 Pages

    Conflicting reports make it difficult to discern just how detrimental the practice is to the environment and people. What is known is that fracking uses phenomenal amounts of water, which is becoming a scarce resource in many parts of the country. There is no doubt that the fluid used in the fracking process contains chemicals, and when released into water supplies has negative effects on these sources. Injection of flowback materials into deep wells has been definitively linked to increased seismic activity. Damage to roads due to the high traffic of trucks shipping equipment and product is astronomical. Worldwide, four countries have outright banned the practice and others are waiting for more research to be done before they continue to allow it. A few states know the devastating side effects that come with the practice, and have banned hydraulic fracturing. While there is no doubt that fracking can produce resources that are used by Americans, there is a lot of doubt as to whether it is safe or not. Hopefully, the country will follow those that have banned the practice, and adopt other safer forms of energy

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons: Hydraulic Fracking

    1719 Words  | 4 Pages

    Hydraulic fracking is a process in which water and other chemical additives are pumped through a drill underground to fracture shale formations to extract natural gas. This natural gas can be used as energy for houses heating fuel, propane, and other energy consuming products. However, the downsides of fracking can cause environmental harm such as methane emissions that contribute to global warming and water contamination.

    Read More

  • The Problems with Fracking

    2006 Words  | 5 Pages

    Before one can see the devastating effects of fracking, one must first understand how fracking works. As previously stated, the main intent of hydro-fracking is to access and harvest natural gas that lies below the surface of the Earth. Having formed over 400 million years ago by the collision of tectonic plates (Marsa 3), the Marcellus Shale plays host to a gold mine of natural gas, which is currently at the center of the fracking debate in the Northeastern region of the United States. Unfortunately, access...

    Read More

  • Fracking : The Dangers Of Fracking

    1333 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fracking is quickly becoming a debatable topic in our society today. The practice involves injecting fluid into the ground to fracture rock in order to release natural gas. It sounds like it would be a safe way to harness fuels in the earth’s surface, but it actually is a danger to our environment. Because of the dangers of fracking, what little fresh water remains on earth is being contaminated. It is also releasing toxins into the airs creating contaminated air and acid rain. Because of the many health and environmental dangers of fracking, it should be stopped immediately to help prevent more worldwide health issues down the road.

    Read More

  • The Burgess Shale Fauna

    1581 Words  | 4 Pages

    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (2014). Burgess Shale Fossil Specimens. Retrieved May 2014, from http://paleobiology.si.edu/burgess/burgessSpecimens.html

    Read More

  • The Politics of Natural Gas Production

    1277 Words  | 3 Pages

    In 2010, roughly 25 percent of the nation’s energy came from natural gas, a “fossil fuel” which American consumers and businesses heavily depend on for transport, light, and heat (Squire 6). As the U.S. population increases, so do the country’s energy needs. Political debate over how the U.S. can meet those needs has slowly simmered for several decades, escalating exponentially when the energy supply grows short. Disputes over just how clean natural gas is, as opposed to coal, dominate headlines and presidential campaigns alike. During the presidency of George W. Bush, a bill exempting oil and gas companies from federal environmental restrictions was passed, thus paving the way for natural gas companies to expand production across the nation utilizing a new drilling technology, enabling easier extraction of shale gas. The drilling process of hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” has become synonymous with controversy. Why? Fracking involves injecting dangerously toxic chemicals, mixed with large quantities of water and sand, into wells at extremely high pressure, to release natural gas. Promoted by the natural gas industry as a cleaner, safer alternative to coal, the process of fracking has made shale gas plentiful, which sounds to some Americans as the best answer to their energy prayers. However, the negative consequences associated with the extraction of natural gas through fracking, including environmental hazards and threats to public health, far outweigh the benefits.

    Read More

  • Dissapearance of Civilization in Jared Diamond The Ends of the World as We Know Them

    779 Words  | 2 Pages

    For example, Hydrofracking; What is hydrofracking? Gas industries use hydrofracking to extract natural gases from shale ground in order to power Americans homes. When gas industries hydrofrack, they dig ten-thousand feet into the mantle of the earth and turn perpendicular to the t into shale layers with cement and steel casing to prevent leaks. Then rupture the layer of sediment with high pressures of water, sand and a plethora of chemicals. Once the chemicals are saturated in the crevices of the drill site, they extract the excess fluid and then ship them to market.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Fracking

    1029 Words  | 3 Pages

    environmental damage mounting, the practice of fracking has only quietly expanded and profited. This concealed expansion into the nation’s backyard has only

    Read More

  • Hydraulic Fracturing Research Paper

    1764 Words  | 4 Pages

    Around the world, countries are dependent on oil and more often than not, foreign oil. The U.S. is at a time where they believe buying foreign oil supports terrorism and hurts our economy. Shale formations deep underground that spread all over the U.S. have been found to contain natural gas. This includes the Marcellus Shale formation and the Utica Shale formation, which can be found all throughout New York State and down the East Coast (Hydro-Fracking pg.1). To get at this abundance of gas underground, hydraulic fracturing was invented, but this new method of gas extraction safe for the environment and for the people around it?

    Read More

  • Shale Gas

    529 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the last decade the extraction of natural gas from underground reservoirs has increased. Natural gas supplies 24% of the United States energy demand and is only expected to grow. Shale gas is natural gas that is found trapped in shale. Shale is sedimentary rocks that consist of clay minerals that have low permeability. Natural gas that is found in shale is buried in fractures below ground and must be extracted by hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking [10]. One of the most recognized sites for the extraction of natural gas by fracking has been at the Barnett shale in the last decade. The Barnett shale is a region that extends west of Fort Worth, Texas to the Permian Basin and has been known to extend as far south into Mexico. The Barnett shale is a complex system of fractures in which the region has seen new developments in fracking to extract the natural gas from the ground [11].

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay: Should Fracking Be Banned?

    1228 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fracking is a pressurized, chemically treated mixture of water and sand to release and extract natural gas and petroleum from shale rock. There are many articles, studies being done, and organizations fighting for what they think is right. Environmentalist want the technique of fracking banned because it plays a part in global warming, affects our water, and causes human health problems. If fracking cannot be banned because of its necessity then it should be made safe and eco-friendly. The process involves a well being drilled vertically to the desired depth, then turns ninety degrees and continues horizontally for thousands of feet into the shale believed to contain the trapped natural gas. A mix of water, sand, and various chemicals is pumped into the well at high pressure in order to create fissures in the shale through which the gas can escape. Natural gas escapes through the fissures and is drawn back up the well to the surface, where it is processed, refined, and shipped to market. Flowback returns to the surface after the

    Read More

More about Cement and Hydraulic Fracking

Open Document