Technically known as “hydraulic fracking,” the procedure is fundamentally simple. Fracking is accomplished by injecting mostly water with some sand and chemicals under high pressure into a well — either for crude oil or natural gas — to fracture rock formations.
Fissures created by the fracking process release oil and gas that might otherwise be permanently trapped in countless small pores common in oil-bearing rock. Where oil does not easily flow to the drill, as much as 75% of the oil may remain below the earth’s surface.
The Bakken Field Could Increase Production by Fracking
Bakken oil lies in a shale rock formation across western North Dakota, northeast Montana, and into Canada's Saskatchewan Province. It has been drilled for decades, but the oil is difficult to remove because it does not flow well. Current production is about 225,000 barrels of oil a day. Fracking could quadruple that amount by 2020.
Other oil fields around the United States have already increased production and new jobs. The increase in development of the Bakken has been slow, but the promise is large and significant.
Fracking Fluid is a Controversial Issue
In fracking, "fracturing fluids" are infected well below the determined level of groundwater. There is no exact formula for fracking fluids — different companies use different formulations. The fluids are typically only one-half of one percent of the total fluid. Water accounts for about 90% of the mixture and sand or porcelain beads — “proppant” — compose the other nine percent. Proppant is used to help keep tiny fractures open after the pressure has been reduced. The added chemicals serve a variety of purposes — e.g., lubrication and dissolving of rock.
Information about exact formulas of fracking fluids is typically withheld by companies for competitive reasons. Generally, however, chemicals known to have been used are commonly used by food and cosmetic industries. A Halliburton executive recently sipped a container of what was presented as a new fracking fluid and apparently suffered no ill effects.
However, the list of potential chemicals used is long, and some are toxic and carcinogenic. When fracking fluid is disposed of special disposal practices should be followed according to existing laws.
Fracking is Done in a Manner that Prevents Groundwater Contamination
The part of the drill pipe is specially contained in cement and steel to protect groundwater. The special casing extends far below the water table. Some of the fracking fluid remains trapped deep in the well, and some returns to the surfaced to be reused.
Theoretically, the possibility of fluid leaking into groundwater from above is said to be next to zero. Also, because the process is done perhaps thousands of feet below groundwater, there is little chance of the fluids, oil, or gas coming in contact with water.
Recent Fracking has a Good Safety Record
There have been many confirmed problems with fracking — especially before the process came under close scrutiny by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agencies. New techniques are more promising. With the need and prices for crude oil and natural gas increasing, fracking likely is a permanent part of the drilling process.
Fracking has been in the news more lately due mainly to the increasing media interest in drilling for new sources. The process, however, is not new. Fracking techniques began over 70 years ago.
The methods used today are more closely monitored than ever and have increased the production of oil and natural gas significantly. Some areas of the country have benefitted significantly from increased fracking. Along with more energy, new jobs and tax revenues are being created.
“Hydraulic fracking,” is accomplished by injecting mostly water with some sand and chemicals under high pressure into a well to fracture rock formations and enhance the flow of crude oil and natural gas. Fracking is not new, but the attention to it is. Past fracking techniques sometimes contaminated soil and groundwater. New techniques are under closer scrutiny and promise more energy and jobs without the pollution.
Sources:
- "Have Environmentalists Plugged U.S. Oil Wealth," rgi.com. Accessed: September 13, 2011
- “The Bakken Factor," chron,com. Accessed: September 14, 2011
- “How Fracking Works,” energyfromshale.org. Accessed: September 14, 2011
Harvey Craft - I am a retired educator with diverse experience. I read anything science, education, and history. I write to share what I learn.
