AIM: What is fracking? Why is fracking such a controversial topic? DN: What do you know about...
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Transcript of AIM: What is fracking? Why is fracking such a controversial topic? DN: What do you know about...
AIM: What is fracking? Why is fracking such a controversial topic?
DN: What do you know about fracking?
What Is Hydro-Fracking?• Fracturing rock layers with a pressurized fluid to release
petroleum or natural gas• This includes
– Vertical and horizontal drilling– high volume water injection
• The fracking fluid includes:– 98-99% water– sand to hold the fractures open– many chemical additives for a variety of purposes
• Wells are typically drilled about 5000 ft vertically and 4500 ft horizontally but can go down much deeper
• Hydro-fracking underlying shale rock to release trapped natural gas has recently become a major issue in New York and Pennsylvania
What is Fracking?
BOTH SIDES OF FRACKING
Pros of Fracking
• Cheaper alternative to oil• Less carbon emissions• Monetary(money)value for homeowners• Creates jobs• Rely less on foreign countries for oil
Cons of Fracking• Contaminating water supplies• Industrialization of residential areas• Fragmenting (breaking up) forest and farmland• Air Pollution- releases methane • Real estate value may decrease• Trigger Earthquakes?
Typical Well Pad
Environmental Concerns • Water use
– Fracking can require up to 5 million gallons of water.
• Air pollution• Water pollution
• Mishandling of wastes• Human health effects• Escaped methane • Increased ozone pollution
Chemical Additives – 12 Classes
• Proppant
• Acid
• Breaker
• Bacericide/biocide
• Clay stabilizer
• Corrosion inhibitor
• Cross linker
• Friction reducer
• Gelling agent
• Iron control
• Scale inhibitor
• Surfactant
Sample Additives
Hydro-Fracked Landscape Undisturbed Landscape
Up to 20 well sites are allowed for each pad.
Additional Facts • In 2005, the National Energy Act exempted hydraulic
fracking from all Federal regulation (Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Superfund Law).
• Modern large-scale hydro-fracking began in Montana in the 1990’s. Before then very few wells were fracked and they were small ones using little water.
• Recent concerns include the possible triggering of earthquakes by the fracking process (which could allow greater movement of toxic fluids and methane)
• The EPA was commissioned to do a detailed environmental study
What are some other alternatives to heat our homes
and produce electricity?
• Solar power
• Hydro power
• Geothermal energy
• Wind energy
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON FRACKING? SHOULD WE ALLOW
FRACKING OR SHOULD IT BE PREVENTED? EXPLAIN YOUR
ANSWER.