Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)Elizabeth Salois
What is Fracking?
Fracking hydraulic fracturingProcess of extracting natural gas from shale
rock layers from deep within the earthThere are now two types of drilling, horizontal
and traditional vertical injects fluids into shale area
After this 1 month process, the well is closed with cement to “ensure groundwater protection”
What chemicals are used in the process?
The gas companies use a number of different chemicals in order to frack (estimated at 750 kinds) including: Methanol Isopropyl alcohol 2-butoxyethanol Ethylene glycol Benzene or lead Etc.
What are the effects of some of these
chemicals? Methanol
produced in catalytic industrial process directly from carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen
Simplest alcohol and is a flammable liquid Can be used as antifreeze, solvent, fuel, etc.
Isopropyl alcohol Can dissolve ethyl cellulose, oils, gums, and natural resins Also colorless and flammable Can be separated from water solutions by adding salts such as
sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, etc. Benzene
Natural constituent of crude oil and is a basic petrochemical (found in coal tar and petroleum)
Has a high octane number Natural carcinogen Small amounts are used to make: rubbers, lubricants, dyes,
detergents, drugs, explosives, and pesticides
Why do companies do this?
Oil companies use hydraulic fracturing in order to: Increase/restore fluids such as petroleum, water,
natural gas from reservoirs Enables production of natural gas and oil from rock
formations below earth’s surface Provides natural gas within US borders
Other uses Stimulate groundwater wells Dispose of waste by injection into deep rock
formations For heat extraction to produce electricity
Places affected by fracking
Main areas: Texas Pennsylvania West Virginia Michigan Roughly half of North Dakota As well as a number of perspective areas like
New York
Should we be concerned?
Massachusetts has also become an area of question when it comes to drilling gas shales have been found around Western Massachusetts
Part of Massachusetts contains a formation known as the Harford Basin which is 34 miles long and 15 varies from 3-15 miles wide surrounds Springfield
Pioneer Valley Green-Rainbow Party has shown concern for future drilling and wants to make sure it meets regulations and is safe.
Geologists say that the Basin is not in the right state to be extracting gas from but may become so in the near future.
Fracking Across the US
http://earthjustice.org/features/campaigns/fracking-across-the-united-states
Hopewell Township, PA
One of the biggest victims of fracking March 31, 2010 100-by-800 foot impoundment filled
with wastewater from fracturing exploded near Hopewell Residents smelled strong gas odors which then set nearby
equipment on fire Between Dec.5-6, 2009, a pit containing 750,000 gallons
of fresh water mixed with wastewater overflowed into a small tributary
May 2009pipe with wastewater leaked about 5,000 gallons into Cross Creek Lake
August 2010EPA fined Atlas Resources $97,350 for December spill of 2009, which the company failed to report
What are the environmental effects of
fracking? Stress on surface and ground water supplies from
withdrawing large amounts of water Contamination of underground sources of drinking
water due to faulty well construction Adverse impacts from discharges into surface waters
from disposal into underground injection wells Air pollution from the release of volatile organic
chemicals Possible earthquakes
What are the health effects of hydraulic
fracturing?Respiratory problemsNeurological problemsSkin rashesDigestive issuesLinked to breast cancer
“Fracking Hell: The Untold Story”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEB_Wwe-uBM
How do we regulate hydraulic fracturing?
Much of the regulation is mandated state-by-state
However, there are federal regulations in place: EPA requires manufacturers and processors of
the additives to disclose the chemicals they are using
If the company doesn’t disclose information about the chemicals they are using, they have to provide a reason why.
Must ensure proper disposal of waste and correct cementing and closing of the wells/drilling sites
“Victims of Fracking”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKpv_LaSQVY
“Gasland”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZe1AeH0Qz8
Works Cited: http://earthjustice.org/features/campaigns/down-to-earth-t
he-dark-side-of-the-fracking-boom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZe1AeH0Qz8 http://8020vision.com/2011/04/17/congress-releases-report
-on-toxic-chemicals-used-in-fracking/
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/27/us/27gas.html?_r=3&pagewanted=1&hpw&
http://www.policymic.com/articles/6465/fracking-exposed-shocking-new-report-links-drilling-with-breast-cancer-and-women-s-violence
http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2012/12/12/group-explores-possibility-fracking-massachusetts-federal-study-hints-limited-shale-gas-deposits/ueDJlzRbDH42pPnLcP3KMO/story.html
