Mining Accidents Are Not Dangerous For People And The Environment

Oil and natural gas companies have developed a way to drill for natural gas, a process called hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking. Natural gas is a flammable gas mixture consisting of methane and several other hydrocarbons that occur naturally underground. Natural gas is used as fuel for heating, cooking, and even in some automobiles like the “RideOn” buses. This technique has only recently become economically feasible with the rising prices of fossil fuels, and there is much potential for recovering natural gas through fracking. However, fracking has many waste products and unusual side effects caused by the unnatural forces and materials used. Fracking has a detrimental effect on the surrounding environment through

Mother Nature gave us natural resources to patronize and natural gas is one of them. Small quantities of ethane, propane, butane and pentane are found in the natural gas composition but it is mostly made up of methane. The high volume of pipeline gas makes it difficult for it to be transported in its gaseous form. This is the reason why the oil industry is dominating because of how easy it can be transported. Pipelines are suitable for transporting pipeline natural gas but constructing the suitable infrastructure is very expensive and not technically feasible for global transportation.1 In addition, for you to be able to make it in the gas industry you need trading partners to buy your natural gas. Having said that, one can deduce that the only way to make a

10,000 feet down is when they start pressure injecting the fracking fluid. This is an ongoing process that goes deep into the ground and eventually makes its way back up to the surface, releasing the chemicals into the atmosphere, allowing us to breathe it in. There are more than 500,000 active natural gas wells (N/A (2015). ”Dangers of fracking”. http://www.dangersoffracking.com). They can use chemicals such as: lead, uranium, mercury, ethylene glycol, radium, methanol, hydrochloric acid, and formaldehyde.

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

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.

Not only is breathing in the methane fumes a risk to health, but also methane is flammable. In Wyoming, a leaking methane gas well burst into flames, swaying the views of several individuals (Lavelle 109). Since this well not only leaked methane but also natural gas, this fire quickly expanded and burned a large flame. This fire lasted for months until the firefighters were finally able to put it out. Copious amounts of individuals became forced to evacuate and eventually, their homes would be engulfed in the flames. Another fire broke out, but this time it was located in a home. A family in Colorado, who lived near a fracking well were enjoying supper (Lavelle 109). Shortly after supper concluded the mother turned on the sink to wash

That is more people who live in New York City and in Michigan. Drilling and extraction of natural gas are known to be seriously toxic to humans and animal. A few of the many chemicals are hydrochloric acid, benzene and formaldehyde. Which all have a serious effect for human health and wildlife. Fracking can cause birth defects, cancer, bloody noses, asthma, diarrhea, dizziness, migraines, nerve pain, and skin rashes. Fracking causes earthquakes more and more frequent and the cause is almost certainly fracking and the disposal of wastewater. The earthquakes caused by fracking have not caused much damage yet, but with a call for more drilling. Seismologists are learning more about faults no one knew existed. Fracking has contaminated lots of peoples water some people have complained to be able to light their water on fire because of large amount of methane gas. It has added to the problem of are air

McGraw describes several of the numerous incidents of air and water pollution that occurred directly from the fracking. Methane, a colorless and odorless greenhouse gas that is known to trap radiation, leaked several times in Susquehanna. Not only were water supplies contaminated by chemicals, but fracking can often lead to droughts as the oil companies draw water for the hydraulic fracturing. Some people have found so much gas in their water that it could be set on fire. Methane can have harmful long-term effects from

This process is very risky towards people’s health. It uses over 650 chemicals that can cause cancer. Leaks and accidents can happen at natural gas wells and this will release toxic compounds and pollutants. People who live near these wells are fearing for their life even though no

Hydraulic fracturing has numerous negative effects on Oklahoma. A nearly unavoidable byproduct of fracking that cannot be ignored is the pollution that stems from it. During the fracking process, a portion of the methane produced, which is shown to trap heat twenty-five times more effectively than carbon dioxide, another common greenhouse gas, escapes into the atmosphere as it is brought to the surface (Hoffman). Studies conducted in Weld County, Colorado, which has a comparable number of fracking wells to many places in Oklahoma; show that this loose methane is the equivalent of the carbon emissions of nearly three million cars (Hoffman). Furthermore, fracking has been shown to release large amounts of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide into the air, which are two of the main components of smog (Hoffman). Even in places such as

Gas line leaks rarely occur, but can be extremely dangerous when they do. Natural gas buildup in an enclosed area can cause illness, suffocation or a deadly explosion. Gas leaks can also occur in the supply line outside the home, and are just as dangerous. Before proceeding with any project that requires digging outdoors, contact your local utility company, or call 811 to identify and mark the gas lines before digging begins.

The importance of natural gas is to replace the role of oil in the economy. Natural gas is good for the US because it can produce natural gas domestically. It has plenty of energy for use in people’s homes and in industry. It will help the US economy cope with the depletion of peak oil production. Crude oil is nearly three times as expensive as Natural gas. (Pipeline, 2009-2013)

Natural gas is a nonrenewable source of energy that is formed of the fossils of prehistoric organisms. It is one of the three fossil fuels found on Earth, which includes oil and coal and is cleanest of the fossil fuels and provides about fifty-eight percent of the world’s energy (although it is not the cleanest form of energy on the planet). It emits less carbon than oil and coal and can be an answer to climate change, but, like most things, there are some drawbacks. Fracking is a serious issue that not only causes environmental problems, but also health complications in many people. The benefits of natural gas far outweigh the disadvantages that it presents, although the disadvantages are severe.

Most of the natural gas transportation in the USA is done through 305,000 miles of transmission pipelines. Existing LNG degasification facilities allow for limited international trade of LNG (Table 2). Due to free market pricing when natural gas cost less in summer period, gas-storing facilities are widespread over the country including more than 400 underground storages and 113 LNG peaking facilities (EIA, 2008).