Natural Gas Hydraulic Fracturing

Lately it seems like the hottest topic is Global Warming. It should be something that everyone takes seriously, because it effects all of us ! The government and scientists have been working hard to figure out ways to slow down global warming by reducing fossil fuel emissions. This has not been easy. There have been numerous ideas and experiments. It seems like we are getting closer to finding a solution but are not quite there yet.  However, many scientists believe strongly in Natural Gas Hydraulic Fracturing or "Hydro-fracturing". Some believe that this system could be exactly what me need.

        Hydro-fracturing is the process in which people can safely recover natural gas and oil from the ground. Sand, water and other elements are mixed together. they create a paste. This goes down what is called a wellbore; it is simply a tube. Then the mixture goes into different parts of the wellbore and fracturing it, the rest goes into areas that have cracks that need keep it open. A plug is then used to generate energy and add pressure to the foundation,, this maximizes the fractures. After the plug is removed the pressure is released. The mixture stays in place and this allows the fractures to open and natural gas and oil can go through. Oil and natural gas then reach the surface and can be stored. It is somewhat of a complex well system. Water and sand are 98% of the mixture needed. This is excellent because these are two ingredients we have a significant amount of.
       What makes it safe is the fact that the fracturing is being done thousands of feet below. The main focus is that the process be done far enough down that there would not be air contamination. Another concern is well water. Many people use the well system for their houses. The areas that are being used for fracturing, due to law, have to be thousands of feet away from each other and protected by huge rock barriers. The EPA have been working closely with the fracturing companies and the government to assure the health and environmental safety of the citizens in the fracturing areas. Right now EPA is doing a study to see if hydraulic fracturing would effect drinking water. This study will not be available for full view unfortunately until 2014.
        This method would be a cheaper alternative to what we are doing now. The natural gas itself is a cheap kind. This would allow for cheaper utilities and an eventual cheaper pricing for consumers. With this new method and the production of the natural gas ethane, jobs would be forming. It is said that this has the potential to create over 400 thousand new jobs. The economy would be making 132 billion dollars. The production would be domestic rather than imported. That would also created a cheaper cost for consumers; and because it would be a U.S product it would boost our economy at the same time.
        Well with most things there is a positive and a negative. In this case there are many positives. But unfortunately there are some negatives.  In 2011 it came about that there was an increased amount of methane in drinking water near the fracting sites. This is an obvious problem because many people use tap water. People began switching to bottled water for almost all water needs. This was in northern Pennsylvania and New York. In Wyoming, many people were becoming ill after the fracting site in Casper was established. There were reporting's of rare cancers, seizer disorders and other diseases. After the wells were tested 11 out of the 39 had traces of arsenic and cobalt in them. This of course was a scare for the residents, however the fracturing company EnCanna Corp. believes that this is not the cause of the rise in illness. The next step would have to be more research. As it seems the fracturing process is a great concept, but if the effects are going to effect human health than what good is it. The whole reason behind this invention is to help with the slowing of global warming, which is helping save us. But if this process is hurting us anyway then maybe we need to rethink our plan.


Sources:

"EPA." 's Study of Hydraulic Fracturing and Its Potential Impact on Drinking Water Resources. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2013.

 

Groff, David. "Davidngroff." Davidngroff. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2013.

 

Buchanan, Russ. "The Negative Effects of Hydraulic Fracturing | EHow." EHow. Demand Media, 31 May 2011. Web. 03 Oct. 2013.