A Brief Note On Shale Gas And Natural Gas

Natural gases are the most important source of energy in the modern world of technology and electricity production, which makes the skyrocketing gas production in the U.S. due to hydraulic fracturing incredibly valuable in terms of global trade and economy. The United States has always been reliant on the Middle East and other European and Asian countries for energy, but is very quickly becoming energy independent. "By 2020, the Energy Information Administration predicts that the USA will become a net exporter of natural gas", reaching energy independence from other countries and starting to export gas to provide revenue and pay off debts (Hassett and Mathur). Even

The most dangerous consequence of fracking is that hundreds of chemicals are blasted into the Earth’s crust, which creates cracks in the bedrock. Many times, these cracks lead to an aquifer, in which case, all of the water in the aquifer becomes contaminated with these chemicals (Jackson, 2014). Additionally, when the natural gas is being pumped out of the wells, methane is released into the atmosphere. A study conducted by NOAA found that approximately 4% of the methane is being released into the atmosphere. This same study found that methane pollution increases climate changes because it traps heat in the atmosphere 25 times more than carbon dioxide (Hoffman, 2016). Furthermore, fracking waste wells are the primary cause of the increase of earthquakes in the Central U.S. This is because these wells operate for a longer period of time, which means that they inject more “solid ‘cake’” into the Earth than the actual fracking process (USGS, n.d. and StateImpact, 2017). Finally, recent studies have found that people who live near a fracking site are at higher risk to develop respiratory problems, which is due to the increased levels of pollutants. These pollutants are not only affecting the people who live in close proximity to these sites, but to the workers, as well. The most common type of respiratory problem reported was lung

Hydrocarbons: Hydrocarbons are a form of organic compounds consisting exclusively of hydrogen molecules and carbon molecules. Classes of this composite entail: arenes, alkynes, alkenes, and alkanes. Hydrocarbons are chief workings of natural gas, oils, and pesticides, which can lead to some negative effects on the environment.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that plays a critical role in the demand and supply of energy in the United States. It is considered to be a clean burning transition fuel. Compared to coal and oil, natural gas combustion does not generate as much pollution and is therefore considered an ideal partner for renewable energy resources. Natural gas is extracted from shale formations underground that require horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing – “hydrofracking” or “fracking”. This drilling and extraction method is currently considered a global widespread issue due to the rapid increase in the amount of new gas wells that threatens the quality of water around the source (Entriken, Evans-White, Johnson & Hagenbuch, 2011).

Safe natural gas fracturing or “fracking” is on the rise and our country is benefiting from in on several levels. From meeting energy needs to creating jobs and helping the economy, natural gas is an invisible miracle. Many precautions are taken during the fracking process in order to ensure it is safe as possible. Natural gas is something I work around every day due to the fact I work in the oilfield and the work I do is carried out during a “frac.” Many environmentalist and various people from different scientific fields argue that the benefits are not worth the risk.

Natural gas is the transitional fuel that is cleaner than coal and oil that has been experiencing a boom in the United States for the last few decades. Natural gas is most familiar to us in the form of heating and cooking on gas ranges. It is abundantly available and modern technology has made it much more accessible and cheaper than other energy sources. Hydraulic fracturing, known short as fracking, is the combination of technology with water and chemicals, and high pressure, that breaks through shale rocks to capture energy. The Climate One podcast titled “ Fracking Boom,”explains America’s recent obsession with fracking, surrounding its history, economic stimulus, construction, and community opposition among other issues. Presenting the talk were Russell Gold, author of The Boom: How Fracking Ignited American Energy Revolution and Changed the World, Mark Zoback, professor of Geophysics at Stanford University, and Trevor Houser, co-author of Fueling Up: The Economic Implications of America’s Oil and Gas Boom. The three guest speakers shared their expertise on how the fracking boom can power America’s economy, but can only be successful if the process in making the wells for fracking, are done along guidelines within the regulations.

W hy does everyone care so much about natural gas? Why is it such an essential part of modern culture? Sure, it's an exciting and up and coming technology, which is fuel for the technological generation that we've grown up in, but we need to take a closer look to see the methods and impacts that could affect generations after us.

In the article “Fracking pollutes the Air with Hazardous Chemicals, authors Jim Polson and Jim Efstathiou provide some insight and staggering evidence of the danger of chemical pollutants due to such drilling. “Researchers, have found potentially toxic chemicals – including cancer-causing benzene- in air near fracking sites.” The authors go on to assert that researchers, “estimate a higher risk of health problems for individuals who live near those wells” (Polson). What Polson and Efsathiou are reporting further supports the need for stricter regulations that limit how close the sites can be to the public as well raising additional concerns about the types of chemicals are being used in this process, and how dangerous they can be for the public. This, of course, has to be very disconcerting information for many, how such a process can yield such dangerous chemicals. Though it isn’t as astonishing to people that have been exposed to it. Many of which have compiled their painfully personal stories and struggles in the book “Shalefield Stories.” Stories like that of Judy Armstrong Stiles who lost her husband Carl to suicide which Judy attributes to the effects of intestinal cancer. Carl developed the cancer while living in a home surrounded by fracking sites. The various independent reports the family ordered to test their environment reflect the family’s suspicions, including various alarming levels of lead, methane and arsenic (Shalefield Stories: Personal Collected Testimonies).The tragic story of the Armstrong family only provides a personal look into the dangerous of fracking, for even, after all, the incriminating evidence the natural gas companies were not held to any fault. According to current regulations, these companies are not required to disclose the chemical they use in their work (Neuhauser). This whole issue gives the cause infinite more reason to protect real lives. What this

Illness and disease around wells is unfortunately common as a result of the following. First, chemicals used can damage organs such as, lungs, brain, and ?. Second, there are health risks from air emissions produced during fracking. Third, the number of cancer patients around fracking wells increased. To protect its citizens from these illnesses and health related issues, the government should address safety by implementing the following ideal: limiting residential areas in a certain radius of fracking wells.

You have probably come across the term 'fracking ' in the news quite recently and perhaps wondered if the reality is as ugly as the word. There is an ever rising body of evidence, that there are inherent and unacceptably high environmental and health risks associated with coalbed methane and shale gas extraction - hydraulic fracturing (fracking). This is fast becoming a global issue happening in our own back gardens, it 's contaminating our water supplies and tampering with mass food production industries. Something must clearly be done about fracking. Today I will express my personal feelings towards this topic and discuss the process and dangers of this industry.

These methane emissions are at least 30% more than and perhaps more than twice as great as those from conventional gas. The higher emissions from shale gas occur at the time wells are hydraulically fractured—as methane escapes from flow-back return fluids—and during drill out following the fracturing. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential that is far greater than that of carbon dioxide” (Wilber 261). Fracking not only represents a risk for environment but is also an impediment for a greener world, although natural gas is a much better fossil fuel, and oil is not as bad as coal, these fuels are still a non-renewable source of which we will run out of someday, and as a country there is this mentality of waiting for the next generations to pay for the mistakes or the lack of action of the current

Fracking or hydraulic fracturing is a mine stimulation technique that is taking the country by storm. It is a multi-billion dollar industry and in some parts of the country there are so many wells clustered together that they can be seen from space. The commodity being mined is natural gas. Natural gas has earned itself many new names depending on who is asked. According to big gas companies like Haiburton, it’s America’s solution to the energy crisis and a fuel for the 21st century. They claim this current period of economic and energy prosperity is due to increased fracking. However, this prosperity does not come without a cost. Many landowners, environmentalists, and scientists claim the process is poisoning the air, ground, water,

The Industrial Revolution created a society and energy consumption based on coal. However, in a more traditional society, natural gas has been obtained through oil drilling. While

Finkel, Madelon L., and Adam Law. "The Rush to Drill for Natural Gas: A Public Health Cautionary Tale." American Journal of Public Health 101.5 (2011): 784-85. Web. 26 Mar. 2016. Both authors Madelon Finkel, Ph.D., and Adam Law, MD implore a growing urgency for the need to regulate and research the dangers and health implications that the fracking process can have on the general public. Madelon

Klare argues that discovery of a natural resource, for instance, oil, result in producers seeking and exploiting the most desirable, best quality and those closest to markets. Over time, these “easy” resources become scarce, of poorer quality, harder to extract and extend into areas further away from the market. This subsequent need to extract “tougher” resources has catalyzed an age of discovery that energy experts call the “shale revolution.” Daniel Yergin, an author and energy optimist describes the “natural gas