Hydro-fracturing
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| - | '''Hydro-fracturing''', or ''fracing'' for short, is the process of injecting water, sand, diesel fuel, and/or a cocktail of chemicals into a well, under high pressure, in order to fracture the shale thereby releasing methane gas trapped in the pores of the rock so it can flow up the pipe. It may be accompanied by [[acid fracturing]] and the use of [[proppants]]. Generally, the nature of chemicals used for the purpose of freeing gas trapped in shale are tightly held trade secrets by the various drilling companies. | + | '''Hydro-fracturing''', or ''fracing'' for short, is the process of injecting water, sand, diesel fuel, and/or a cocktail of chemicals into a well, under high pressure, in order to fracture the shale thereby releasing methane gas trapped in the pores of the rock so it can flow up the pipe. It may be accompanied by [[acid fracturing]] and the use of [[proppants]]. Generally, the nature of chemicals used for the purpose of freeing gas trapped in shale are tightly held trade secrets by the various drilling companies. Many of the chemicals are believed to be toxic substances. |
| Many environmentalists have raised concerned about this process as a potential source of toxic contamination of the water supply. It also requires millions of gallons of water which usually must be trucked into drilling sites. The tanker trucks used to bring water in and diesel engines used to power drilling and pumping equipment on the drill site are recognized as a sources of air pollution. There are also concerns about [[noise-control]] issues. These relate not only to noise from drilling and pumping equipment, but also from gas compressors which run continuously once the well is actually producing gas. | Many environmentalists have raised concerned about this process as a potential source of toxic contamination of the water supply. It also requires millions of gallons of water which usually must be trucked into drilling sites. The tanker trucks used to bring water in and diesel engines used to power drilling and pumping equipment on the drill site are recognized as a sources of air pollution. There are also concerns about [[noise-control]] issues. These relate not only to noise from drilling and pumping equipment, but also from gas compressors which run continuously once the well is actually producing gas. | ||
Revision as of 05:41, 17 September 2008
Hydro-fracturing, or fracing for short, is the process of injecting water, sand, diesel fuel, and/or a cocktail of chemicals into a well, under high pressure, in order to fracture the shale thereby releasing methane gas trapped in the pores of the rock so it can flow up the pipe. It may be accompanied by acid fracturing and the use of proppants. Generally, the nature of chemicals used for the purpose of freeing gas trapped in shale are tightly held trade secrets by the various drilling companies. Many of the chemicals are believed to be toxic substances.
Many environmentalists have raised concerned about this process as a potential source of toxic contamination of the water supply. It also requires millions of gallons of water which usually must be trucked into drilling sites. The tanker trucks used to bring water in and diesel engines used to power drilling and pumping equipment on the drill site are recognized as a sources of air pollution. There are also concerns about noise-control issues. These relate not only to noise from drilling and pumping equipment, but also from gas compressors which run continuously once the well is actually producing gas.
