Hydraulic fracturing has been around for several years as a controversial topic. Fracking is a controversial topic, because of how it might impact the environment, and the pros/cons of it. Many people think fracking is good, because of all the jobs it has created, and the money it has brought in to the economy. Others think fracking is bad, because of the pollution. In this paper, I plan to talk about why fracking is such a hot topic, what kind of problem is it, and how it works. I will also mention how the environment is being impacted, and the pros and cons of fracking. Personally, I am for fracking. I think it’s great how much money it brings in for our economy. Fracking is a controversial topic, because of the environmental concerns. Fracking
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Fracking is a worldwide concern. Many communities worldwide are concerned about the effects of fracking on their health, land, and water. Fracking can produce pollution, which will affect our health. Fracking can ruin the land and even cause earthquakes. Water can be contaminated if cancer causing chemicals escape. Many communities aren’t allowing fracking, because it’s such a huge concern. Over the past 60 years, fracking has been used for a wide variety of purposes.
The fracking process starts with a well that is drilled either vertically or at an angle to a surface depth of one to two miles, or more according to the EPA. Then the vertical well is encased in steel and/or cement to make sure the well doesn’t risk spilling into groundwater. When the upward well makes it to the layer of deep rock where oil or natural gas exists, the well is curved about 90 degrees and begins to drill horizontally along that rock layer. The horizontal drilling can extend more than one mile from the vertical well. After the well is fully drilled and encased, fracking fluid is pumped down into the well at exceedingly high pressure. In some cases it can exceed 9,000 pounds per square inch. This pressure is so powerful it can fracture the surrounding rock, creating cracks which gas and oil can flow. The fluid that’s pumped into the well is called slickwater. It’s mostly water, though it also
Fracking is a worldwide concern. Many communities worldwide are concerned about the effects of fracking on their health, land, and water. Fracking can produce pollution, which will affect our health. Fracking can ruin the land and even cause earthquakes. Water can be contaminated if cancer causing chemicals escape. Many communities aren’t allowing fracking, because it’s such a huge concern. Over the past 60 years, fracking has been used for a wide variety of purposes.
The fracking process starts with a well that is drilled either vertically or at an angle to a surface depth of one to two miles, or more according to the EPA. Then the vertical well is encased in steel and/or cement to make sure the well doesn’t risk spilling into groundwater. When the upward well makes it to the layer of deep rock where oil or natural gas exists, the well is curved about 90 degrees and begins to drill horizontally along that rock layer. The horizontal drilling can extend more than one mile from the vertical well. After the well is fully drilled and encased, fracking fluid is pumped down into the well at exceedingly high pressure. In some cases it can exceed 9,000 pounds per square inch. This pressure is so powerful it can fracture the surrounding rock, creating cracks which gas and oil can flow. The fluid that’s pumped into the well is called slickwater. It’s mostly water, though it also