Fracking - What is it?

Fracking....a geological process to get more natural gas from the subsurface

Generally speaking fracking is the process of using a water solution under high pressure to fracture shale formation in order to extract natural gas and oil.

The Topic: Hydrofracking

The water - sand - chemical solution is injected into the shale formation and used to separate layers of shale from one another. Once these crevices have been forced open natural gas and oil can escape from the shale and be captured for fuel. 

Conservationists are concerned with the wastewater polluting the waters supply. The industry is in favor of using this technique because it opens up new sources of fuel for North America.

The Process:

Natural gas or energy companies will drill down deep into the rock formation and allow small explosions to start the initial fracking. Once the shale is broken up natural gas and brine will begin to seep out. The water - sand - chemical solution is then pumped into the newly opened fissures to keep them open and fracture the shale layers further.

Conservationists are again concerned with the potentially carcinogenic chemicals leaching into groundwater. Some scientists are also concerned with the potential for small earth tremors due to the fracturing process.

Overall - Good idea of Bad idea

 The energy industry of course believes this fracking process is necessary in order to increase production of natural gas and oil in America, creating jobs and increasing our energy independence...

Environmentalists believe that the potential for groundwater contamination is too great a risk for some extra natural gas or oil.....

So there you have it....energy independence is very important, but the potential for groundwater contamination is a major concern.

Perhaps as the process continues these industries will alter their process to capture and limit the potential for contamination.