Essay On Fracking

956 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Essay on the effects of hydraulic fracturing

The process of hydraulic fracturing has been around since the 1940’s, though not until recent years has it been an economically viable option. Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, refers to the process of injecting large volumes of water, mixed with a proppant (usually sand) and chemicals, down a well at high pressures in order to fracture underground formations with low permeability. Due to technology advances allowing companies to drill horizontal wells in recent years, the use of fracking has grown exponentially in the United States. This is due to the fact that fracking has allowed oil and natural gas companies to feasibly produce large hydrocarbon supplies in low-permeable shale formations, which were previously thought to be economically inaccessible. This natural gas “boom” caused by widespread use of hydraulic fracturing has provided great opportunities for the United States. By creating a large domestic energy supply, the US has been able to lower dependence on foreign oil imports. Also, natural gas has emerged as a viable fuel source and even burns cleaner than other fossil fuels. Though, fracking has also become a hot topic from an ethical standpoint, with alarming environmental detriments coming to light. With claims and studies that hydraulic fracturing has caused water contamination, water shortages, and even earthquakes, many people are questioning its current use and future viability. Some counties and states are even beginning to completely ban the use of fracking overall. The first canon of the National Society of Professional Engineers code of ethics states that all engineers should “hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.” (NSPE.org) In order to uphold this code, I believe the env...

... middle of paper ...

..., and have not been given enough recognition. Chemicals in fluids used in the fracturing process can contaminate and pollute groundwater, and incorrect disposal of the waste water from hydraulic fracturing can contaminate and pollute rivers and streams with radioactive particles. Both of these issues can, in turn, cause detrimental health risks to countess people and animals. Coupled with causing water shortages in some areas and earthquakes in others, how can hydraulic fracturing ethically be allowed to continue at its current pace? With all of these noted detriments, engineers in the oil industry must fulfill their ethical duties to society and slow down the use of hydraulic fracturing until more is known. Then, the positives and negatives of this process can be safely weighed to make a well-informed decision about the future of implementing hydraulic fracturing.

Show More
Related

  • The Pros and Cons of Fracking

    1351 Words  | 3 Pages

    In today's global economy, energy is one of the most crucial and sought after commodities. Who supplies it and how much they supply determines how much influence they have over other countries as well as the global economy. This is why hydraulic fracturing is currently such an important and controversial topic in the United States. Hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as "fracking" or hydrofracturing, is the process of using pressurized liquids to fracture rocks and release hydrocarbons such as shale gas, which burns more efficiently than coal. This booming process of energy production provides a much needed economic boost, creating jobs and providing gas energy for Americans. The efficiently burning shale gas reduces carbon emission from electricity production plants, reducing carbon footprints on the environment. However, the process of hydraulic fracturing uses millions of gallons of pressurized liquid, which contains toxic chemicals, and some of this water is left over undealt with. The air near fracking sites is often also polluted and unsafe for nearby community residents. Injecting millions of gallons of water laced with toxic chemicals into the rock thousands of feet deep can cause earthquakes, causing a safety hazards for all nearby areas. Hydraulic Fracturing makes rare natural gases easily attainable, boosting the economy and reducing carbon emissions. However, the negative side effects such as contaminated water and air, make hydraulic fracturing a process that may not be worth the benefits.

    Read More

  • Health Effects on Humans of Fracking

    1836 Words  | 4 Pages

    Current research, in the field of public health, is looking at the adverse health effects of hydraulic fracturing on community members. This research is focused on looking for evidence-based research in processes, procedures, materials and cleanup from drilling and running a well. In recent years, several states such as Maryland and New York, have called for special advisory commissions to examine the potential adverse health implications for the community if the moratoriums are lifted and fracturing is allowed to start. A lot of the previous research conducted focused on the anecdotal perspective of the adverse health effects. This perspective does not offer scientific verification that the fracturing processes are causing them or evidence where the contaminations are coming from.

    Read More

  • Hydraulic Fracturing: An Overview

    1595 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the past couple of years the word fracking has been prevalent in the media whether its been mentioned in the news or in the movie Matt Damon stared in titled “Promised Land”. Many people know it as a method of extracting gas from the earth and don’t inquire further into what hydraulic fracturing actually is. Before the process is explained we should understand why it has become prevalent in the last decade. The reason Hydraulic fracturing has become so popular in the last couple of years is because of the passage of the energy policy act of 2005, which contained the Halliburton loophole. The Halliburton loophole stripped the Environmental Protection Agency of its authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing (New York Times 2009). Allowing Hydraulic Fracturing allowed companies to finally access the abundant sources of natural gas legally. This act made it possible to access the vast amounts of natural gas contained in the Marcellus Shale, which created a boom in hydraulic fracturing. What exactly is hydraulic fracturing? Hydraulic fracturing is a method of extracting oil and gas, that is not accessible by conventional drilling methods. The process, injects chemically treated water and sand at high pressures into shale rock to release the oil and gas (Pritchard 2013).

    Read More

  • The Ethical Issues Of Fracking

    959 Words  | 2 Pages

    Fracking can cause harm to people, animals, and nature. When they drill into the ground they are pumping chemicals to extract the gas and oil, and this contaminates the water sources around it. “An editorial on gas extraction from the Marcellus Shale in the Post-Star, a newspaper in Glens Falls, New York, contends, “New York state simply can’t take the risk. There are plenty of places to find fuel. It’s not so easy to find a new water supply for 17 million people.”” (Hydrofracking

    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

  • Fracking and its Effect on the Environment

    1451 Words  | 3 Pages

    Oil and natural gas companies have developed a way to drill for natural gas, a process called hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking. Natural gas is a flammable gas mixture consisting of methane and several other hydrocarbons that occur naturally underground. Natural gas is used as fuel for heating, cooking, and even in some automobiles like the “RideOn” buses. This technique has only recently become economically feasible with the rising prices of fossil fuels, and there is much potential for recovering natural gas through fracking. However, fracking has many waste products and unusual side effects caused by the unnatural forces and materials used. Fracking has a detrimental effect on the surrounding environment through pollution and earthquakes.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Fracking

    1715 Words  | 4 Pages

    Hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as fracking, is a widespread practice in the United States. Fracking is a method used to extract oil and natural gas. Scientists and citizens report detrimental side effects of hydraulic drilling. New York and Vermont have banned fracking statewide. Maryland has set a two year moratorium on fracking, so that more research can be done to show the impacts of fracking on the environment. Nationwide, many other cities and counties have banned fracking as well. All states should look into finding alternative sources of energy, instead of using devastating practices like fracking to extract non-renewable resources.

    Read More

  • Fracking Controversy Summary

    219 Words  | 1 Pages

    The title of the article I read is What is fracking and why is it controversial? It starts off by explaining what fracking is. Fracking is the process of drilling down in the ground until rock is hit. Once rock is hit a high pressured solution of sand, water, and chemicals is shot into the rock to dissolve it so it can release the gas trapped inside the rock. After it is released it flows out of the top of the well. It is usually done vertically through shale rock or horizontally. The article then explains that fracking is the short version of hydraulic fracturing. Fracking is controversial for multiple reasons the first is that you need large amounts of water which is a environmental drain. There is also concern that the chemicals

    Read More

  • The Problems with Fracking

    2006 Words  | 5 Pages

    Imagine a world where fresh and clear water was a luxury. Imagine water so contaminated with chemicals that every plant it comes into contact with dies. As the trees begin to die, oxygen levels drop. As the vegetation dies, wildlife begins to die out. The polluted water which flows through the ground into wells causes instant contamination. As the water flows out of the sink, one can strike a match and light the liquid on fire. Showering in these chemicals is out of the question. Fresh water has become a comfort, rather than a given. Could planet Earth survive this existence? If hydraulic fracturing, otherwise known as fracking, were deemed legal, this question may be put to the test. Fracking is a process in which chemicals, sand and water are used in “high volumes… to fracture gas-bearing layers of rock” (Dolesh 2). As the rock breaks, natural gas is released and then collected to be used as energy. The United States is currently sitting on a gold mine of natural gas which could stimulate our ever declining economy. The question is what price are we willing to pay for a temporary fix? Fracking is a dangerous process that should be deemed illegal due to its harmful short and long-term environmental effects.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Fracking

    342 Words  | 1 Pages

    “Should fracking be used to release oil and natural gas?” First what is fracking? Fracking is the process of injecting liquid at high pressure into subterranean rocks, boreholes, etc., so as to force open existing fissures and extract oil or gas. Since the Industrial Revolution the amount of energy consumption has risen rapidly. In the method of fracking, porous rock is fractured by the use of water, sand and chemicals in order to release the gas stored inside. So the question is should people still continue to use fracking or not? Let's look at some pros and cons.The method of fracking has been around since the 1940’s.According to source c “Over 60% of all new oil and gas wells are drilled by using fracking”. This shows how long and effective

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Fracking

    1029 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fracking has become a highly controversial and publicized topic due to rising concerns and growing analysis into the mutual benefits of hydraulic fracturing to retrieve natural gas and oil reserves. With concerns of water pollution, mismanagement of toxic waste and irreversible

    Read More

  • Fracking Argument Essay

    467 Words  | 1 Pages

    Hydraulic fracturing can be very damaging to the human body, there have even been lawsuits. Bob and Lisa Parr stated that after suffering through years of things such as rashes, ringing ears, nosebleeds, and nausea they had enough. The Parr’s sued the company, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, and once the case was over, they ended up receiving almost three million dollars. (The Fracking Facts) This is significant because this was the first lawsuit that was successful in the United States that was linked to poisonous air pollution of gas or oil production. Also, in 2012 a company known as Chesapeake Energy Corporation was found guilty of contaminating the drinking water of three families in Pennsylvania. Leading to a 1.6 million dollar lawsuit. Stated the article The Fracking Facts.

    Read More

  • Hydraulic Fracturing Research Paper

    1764 Words  | 4 Pages

    Numerous reports have been given on the dangerous affects of hydraulic fracturing. One such affect that has been noticed is that drinking water wells near the fracturing sites have been contaminated. During the hydro-fracking process, injected fluids that help to break and keep open the rock bed where the natural gas is kept, have “been known to travel three thousand feet from the well (Goldman).” This fluid could have the potential to enter and contaminate any water well for homes around hydraulic fracturing sites. This incident is one of the major problems that people want to figure out and know about before they allow a fracturing site by them. It has been the most feared outcome of having a fracking site nearby, and it is highly appropriate. One site in Wyoming had this happen, “…in August, EPA reported that eleven of thirty-nine drinking-water wells near a Wyoming hydraulic fracturing operation were contaminated with chemicals used in the fracturing process (Hobson EPA).” In Pennsylvania, another such case occurred, “There have already been severe pollution cases in Pennsylvania, mo...

    Read More

  • Hydraulic Fracturing Report

    548 Words  | 2 Pages

    Only 1% of the worlds water is able for human use; some of this is being used for hydraulic fracturing. The process also affects include contamination of risks to air quality, the potential migration of gases and hydraulic fracturing chemicals to the surface, the potential mishandling of waste, and the resulting effects on health such as an increased rate of cancer. The extracting fluid used in the process is toxic that pose risks to the ecosystem. It has been predicted that exposure to chemicals in hydraulic fracturing fluid will increase as gas wells using this technology proliferate. Many particulates and chemicals can be released into the atmosphere during the process of hydraulic fracturing can have serious health implications such as sulfuric-oxide, nitrous oxides, volatile organic compounds, benzene, toluene, diesel fuel, and hydrogen sulfide. Hydraulic fracturing may have caused earthquakes in North Texas from splitting too much rock. The workers of the well are also at risk; on June 3, 2010, a well explosion in Pennsylvania sent more than 35,000 gallons of hydraulic fracturing fluids into the air and onto the surrounding landscape in a forested area. There are other developing technologies with better techniques of getting energy. Hydraulic fracturing has too many faults that make the process not worth

    Read More

  • Introduction To Fracking

    982 Words  | 2 Pages

    Fracking, also known as hydraulic fracturing or hydrofracking, is the process of natural gas extraction from shale (fine grained sedimentary rock) deep within the earth, and considered a relatively new process. Although the technique of fracking has been known since the 1940s, only in the recent decade has there been a fracking boom. The process of fracking begins with a vertically drilled well, which then turns ninety degrees and continues horizontally into the shale rock layer. A mix of several thousand tonnes of sand, around eight million litres of water, and two hundred thousand litres of various chemicals (known as fracking fluid) is then pumped at high pressures into the well to create fissures which the gas can use to escape. The sand is used to prevent the cracks from closing, the chemicals are used to compress the water, kill bacteria and dissolve the minerals. The natural gas that escapes is then drawn back up the well to the surface, where it is processed and shipped. After the fracking process is completed, wastewater, containing potentially toxic chemicals, returns to the surface. Once the gas source is exhausted, the wastewater is pumped back into the deep underground layers and the well is sealed. This article will address how fracking contributes to water pollution, and the resulting effects.

    Read More

More about Essay On Fracking

Open Document