Fracking Article
Notes:
- Fracking is when when a vertical well shaft hits a layer of shale, chemically treated water and sand are blasted down at high pressure to crack open the rock and liberate natural gas.
- New technology has been added where the drilling can move in 90 degree angle while drilling parallel to the ground surface for thousands of additional feet.
- The result is a veritable Gas Rush.
- Fracking is defined as a single fracture of deep shale.
- When fracking is done on multiple adjacent wells, the risk of contaminating drinking water rises.
- Fracking involves enormous amounts of water and chemicals.
- Ponds and tanks are needed for storing the flowback water which is the water that comes out of the hole after the well is fractured.
- Polluted water wells have caused flammable water faucets and serious medical conditions.
- Companies sometimes drill a dozen or so wells close together to get the maximum benefit possible.
- There is a push to drill in New York.
- Fracking requires a lot of water and chemicals.
- Not a risk free industry.
- In Pensilvania house taps have gone foul or have been lit on fire and companies have been fined for these damages.
- The most recent case in Chesapeake has fined over 1 million dollars for contaminating the homes of 16 families.
- These threats cant be blamed all on fracking.
- The use of this many chemicals near these houses is a threat from the industry as well.
- Fracking can cause accidents.
- The fracking companies claim that their drilling has nothing to do with the contamination of these families homes.
- Faulty cementing is one of the number one causes of contamination of water and in the industry hey do not define this as fracking.
- The industry has strived to improve their practices.
- Because of the depths of drilling, the needed amount of water has increased dramatically.
- Methane migration is another way of contaminating water.
- Hydraulic fracturing can connect with pre existing fissures.
- EPA is studying a variety of ways that the water contamination is occurring.
- One solution to this contamination problem is to put a chemical tracer into the fracking fluid mixture.
- If it turns out to be where its not supposed to be, that would solve the puzzle to our problem.
- The information used in fracking process is described as "confidential business information" So it is not available to the public.
- Fracking has never been researched thoroughly and it is just a big science experiment.
- The key to non contaminated water may be tighter regulations.
Summary: :Fracking is a method that is used to get natural gas from drilling holes into the ground for miles and miles. This process has caused many problems for the residents living near areas where this is happening. Fracking is thought to be the culprit for contaminating the water in the homes for many of these people. There are many harmful chemicals involved in the fracking process. These chemicals are showing up the faucets of many people. The water in these peoples homes are so contaminated that it can be lit on fire. The companies of these operations have been fined millions of dollars for damages and contamination of homes. But they deny that their fracturing methods have anything to do with the contamination of water in these peoples homes. The EPA has been studying the variety of ways that fracking could be connected to the contamination. The information that they have collected is described as "confidential business information" so it is not available to the public. Fracking has not been researched thoroughly and is a big science experiment. It is not good for the environment and requires an abundant use of water and chemicals harming the natural environment. There is no good coming from this operation. Some of the ways to resolve this problem is by adding a tracker in the fluid. This will be able to track the fracturing fluid. If the fluid turns out to be where its not supposed to be, the companies will be liable for the damages of all of these peoples lives. Another way to resolve this problem is to create stricter restrictions. Some companies are drilling a dozen holes close together where they should be spaced out. This may also be a option to help save other homes from contamination.
Reflection: After reading this article it was eye opening on how horrible these companies are. These companies drill knowing that they're contaminating the water in homes of many people, causing them to become ill. These comapnies shouldn't be doing such thing, because it violates the law which is they are fooling and out buying the people. These companies should get sued and fined for a wrong doing >:(!! However, I find it sad that companies hide away evidence that support the people and contamination because they don't want to get involved or held responsible. Like I mean if your doing something OF COURSE the consequences will come and get you!
Reflection: After reading this article it was eye opening on how horrible these companies are. These companies drill knowing that they're contaminating the water in homes of many people, causing them to become ill. These comapnies shouldn't be doing such thing, because it violates the law which is they are fooling and out buying the people. These companies should get sued and fined for a wrong doing >:(!! However, I find it sad that companies hide away evidence that support the people and contamination because they don't want to get involved or held responsible. Like I mean if your doing something OF COURSE the consequences will come and get you!