The Pros And Cons Of Fracking

shale source rocks using fracking is about 42 trillion cubic meters. . . equivalent to about 65 times the current U.S. annual consumption” (Howarth, Ingraffea, & Engelder, pp. 271-274). The following year, in his State of the Union Address, President Obama (2012) commented, “We have a supply of natural gas that can last America nearly 100 years.” Furthermore, advances in hydraulic fracturing technology have enabled an exponential increase in U.S. gas production, which had already reached 10 trillion cubic meters by 2012, “turning the United States into an unexpected technology-driven ‘petrostate’ of a type never seen before” (Golden & Wiseman, 2015, p. 966). Consequently, the United States is now largely energy-independent with sufficient fuel reserves and the means of production to support its energy needs for the foreseeable future.

Eagle Ford-Shale Company is one of the largest companies in the Unites States. Production has risen from roughly 0.9 trillion cubic feet (EBSCO) in 2006 to the approximate 4.8 trillion cubic feet in 2010. The Eagle Ford-Shell Company is responsible for more that 23% of the United States natural gas productions through fracking. This process has become one of the most highly sought out forms of retrieving oil and gas from the earth that does not involve drilling directly on the ocean floor. Though there are many opportunities to save money and provide jobs to ensure for a better economy, there are those who would argue that fracking is dangerous because of long term affects on global warming. Professionally, the research paper will be demonstrated

Hydraulic fracturing has recently grown in popularity as a means of energy production. There are advantages and disadvantages, mainly relating to the environment and the economy, of this industry. Although there are pros and cons to both sides of the issue, a compromise needs to be found for both the safety of the environment and to be able to support affordable energy production. Hydraulic fracturing, as an industry, has had a large economic impact by creating jobs. Using natural gas from hydraulic fracturing, instead of coal, in electricity production has decreased carbon dioxide emissions. The drop in natural gas prices, because of increased production, has lead to cheaper energy prices. Hydraulic fracturing has the potential to

It is the coupling of the twin practices of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing that allows for the extraction of shale-bound natural gas deposits. It is the combination of those techniques along with the inherent properties of the shale and the natural gas bound in the rock that has led to a maelstrom of controversy. Unexplained health problems, contaminated groundwater, mysterious earthquakes, poisonous wastewater, and surprisingly increased carbon footprint have all been linked to the modern practice of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas. What are the facts backing up those claims? Is fracking hazardous to our health? Before addressing these key questions, the economic and geopolitical benefits of our natural gas bounty should be examined.

Introduction of hydraulic fracturing technology in gas exploitation has led to massive exploration for shale especially in North America. It reported that unconventional gases will supply as much as half the natural gas by 2020. It has already spurred economic gain in United States where commercial exploitation of shale gas has been managed. For example, Barnett shale plays in Texas. It estimated that shale gas contribute close to $48 billion which a huge economic impact. It has also led to reduction of natural gases prices and eased pressure on carbon and water

Natural gas resources offer an opportunity to access relatively clean fossil fuel that from the outside seems to be a perfectly viable option for environmental sustainability. More specifically, hydraulic fracturing make the extraction of natural gas from shale formations economically feasible for essentially every country that possesses these shale formations. However, these means of acquiring natural gases are not free from environmental risks, especially those related to regional water quality, wastewater discharge into wells, and accidental spills. Aside from the environmental impacts there are also impacts to human health and also a growing concern globally with people of around the world weighing in on the problem.

The demand for natural resources and other earthly materials continue to rise exponentially throughout the world, especially due to rising populations. Some issues that are in support of fracking include having the opportunity to access an alternative source of fuel, creates more jobs in the oil and gas industry, lowers taxes for Americans by using domestic oil, helps to make certain countries less dependent on others for their resources, stimulates the economy, and also helps to improve overall air quality by using natural gas for electricity instead of coal. According to a study on the “Economic Impacts of the Oil and Natural Gas Industry on the US Economy in 2011” done by Price Waterhouse Coopers LLP “The US oil and natural gas industry’s total employment impact to the national economy in 2011, combining the operational and capital investment impacts, amounted to 9.8 million full-time and part-time jobs and accounted for 5.6 percent of total US employment.” Fracking to access more natural gas and oil not only has helped many to be employed in these industries, but also has a great impact on the way one attains electricity. Some values in support of fracking include profit, quality of life capitalism, sustainability, and economic power.

A few pro’s associated with the emerging Shale gas energy source. Firstly, the Department of Environmental Protection is regulating the exploration, development, and recovery of Marcellus Shale natural gas reservoirs in a way that will protect the environment and the commonwealth national resources (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 2016). With the extra push from compliance, the additional assistance helps to prevent incidents that may harm the environment. The additional assistance provided also includes preventative workshops for the industry to help applicants as needed to address environmental matters for construction of a well site (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 2016). Moreover, the Department of Environmental Protection is also beneficial to Shale gas energy because they work to instruct and advise operators and well drillers on the best management procedures and practices for waste management and environmental control (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection,

Once that unconventional gas and oil extraction (fracking) has becoming widespread practice and a concern in some countries, particularly in the United States of America (USA), relatively about potential environmental risks and human health outcome, as well as potential routes of human vulnerability, has been the focus of several studies by social researchers, health and environmental scientists, and epidemiologists. This essay will present and analyse the challenges imposed by hydraulic fracturing to extract oil and shale gas, particularly related with environmental and health issues.

Natural gas is already a critical part of America’s energy portfolio and consequently a critical part of the country’s economic growth. Not only does natural gas provide over 25 percent of electricity generation, natural gas, and other gases extracted from natural gas provide a feedstock for fertilizers, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, waste treatment, food processing, fueling industrial boilers, and much more. Although natural gas prices in the United States have historically been volatile, the abundance of shale gas brings the possibility of low, stable prices. North America has approximately 4.2 quadrillion (4,244 trillion) cubic feet of recoverable natural gas that would supply 175 years worth of natural gas at current consumption rates. Further, the National Petroleum Council estimates that fracking will allow 60 percent to 80 percent of all domestically drilled wells during the next 10 years to remain viable.

Natural gas is a keystone of United States economy, it providing the United States a quarter of the country’s total energy; Outstanding to the many advances in technology. Production from shale formations has gone from a small amount just a few years ago to being almost thirty percent of total United States natural gas manufacture. This has gotten lower prices, domestic jobs due to the possible of extensive production growth. Although the growth has also brought many difficult questions about both current and future making can be done in a naturally way that meets the needs of the public trust.

Proponents of fracking argue that in a society so dependent on energy, natural gas represents the future as industry strives to move away from natural gas. In the pro-fracking documentary Truthland, John Hanger, former Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, admits that while there is no “perfect” solution to the energy crisis, natural gas is a good alternative because it is a “much cleaner burning fuel than coal or oil, which are our two main alternatives” (Truthland 2012). A cleaner energy source means __________. Furthermore, replacing coal with natural gas reduces plants’ greenhouse emissions by up to 50% (Engelder 2011). Therefore, transitioning into a world with more energy derived from natural gas would decrease the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere.

Natural gas from shale remains vastly proposed as clean, comparable with oil and coal that can decrease the outpouring while still satisfying rich fossil fuel over coming decades until a switch to renewable energy sources exists. However shale gas being clean remains false, and it used as bridge fuel stays a terrible idea. Shale rock formation can hold large quantities of natural gas, however that gas remains mostly made up of methane. (Natural Gas:Should fracking stop?) For a long period of time a majority of this gas was not economically reachable. However over the past decade, two new technological advancements recently combined allowing extracting of the gas. This process is known as hydraulic fracturing, in which extremely high pressured water with additional chemicals forced two to three kilometers in the ground is extracting the gas. The manufacturing sources claim that fracking has produced over one million natural gas wells since the 1940 's. Only 2% of these wells

Shale is a soft, fine sedimentary rock that formed from consolidated mud or clay. It contains shale gas that is trapped within the shale formations which are rich in petroleum and natural gas. Studies have shown that 3.6% up to 7.9% of methane from shale gas escapes through venting and leaks into the atmosphere over a lifetime of a well. Methane emissions are considered to be at least 30% higher in concentration than conventional gas. That is, pools in which wells can be drilled so that oil and natural gas flow naturally and can be pumped to the surface. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas with a global warming potential that is far greater than that of carbon dioxide. Shale gas contributes substantially to the greenhouse gas footprint on a shorter time scale, and results have shown that it leaves a 20% greater footprint than coal. Natural gas is being used as a transitional fuel which allows for further dependence on fossil fuels, yet reducing the green house gasses (GHG) when compared to oil and coal. In the 1990’s the United States produced its oil and gas through the use of conventional reservoirs, but in 2009, unconventional production took the lead. There is really not much of a difference between conventional and unconventional gas, but they are described as a “sponge and clay” production process. Gas is extracted far more easily though the use of conventional production, but in turn

Shale gas has become embroiled in controversy over alleged impacts on public health and the environment. Some segments of the public have become deeply suspicious of the veracity and motives of gas companies. These