Fracking and the Impacts Essay Example

Introduction

The industrial revolution saw the drastic rise in energy consumption. Currently majority of the energy we use is from fossil fuel like natural gas and coal. Since conventional sources of natural gas across the world are almost completely exhausted, innovative ways have been employed to extract previously inaccessible sources. Hydraulic fracturing is one of the new methods that has become popular in the exploitation of natural gas (Mooney, 2011). Although the method was discovered in the early 20th century, it's only gained popularity over the last few decades. Despite the high cost of the extraction system, it's become more profitable as the prices of natural gas increase.

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Hydraulic fracturing or fracking describes the recovery of natural gas from deep layers of the earth. The industrial process increases the productivity of an oil or gas well. High pressure water, sand and chemicals are used to fracture porous rock harbouring natural gas. Consequently trapped natural gas is released through the fractures. Initially a shaft is drilled deep into the earth and a secondary horizontal hole is extended into the gas bearing rock. High performance pumps then introduce the fracking fluid into the rock at high pressures. On average the fluid used in the hydraulic fracturing is around 8,000,000 litres of water, 200,000 litres of chemicals and several thousand tonnes of sand (Mooney, 2011). Innumerable small cracks develop in the rock. The sand keeps the cracks open while the chemicals dissolve minerals and compress the water. Finally the fracking fluid is pumped out and the natural gas is recovered.

The Gasland documentary was a feature covering the fracking boom in Colorado. 'The red zone' is home to numerous gas wells in Colorado. Unfortunately the industrial extraction process in the region has stirred conflicts between oil corporations, the state and the residents of Colorado. Although natural gas extraction operations flooded the region in the early 2000's, the mining companies have now extended their operations to areas near residences and schools (Mooney, 2011). The conflict has instigate actions from all stakeholders. In 2016, the Supreme Court shot down a municipal fracking band while the city of Longmont raised 3 million dollars to pay two companies so they would leave their area. Unfortunately, the people affected by the rampant fracking operations are innocent, patriotic citizens trying to raise their families in a safe environment.

Aside from the water contamination, the hydraulic fracturing has caused environmental pollution from the release of natural gas into the air. One of the residents of Colorado attempted to dig a water well and natural gas leaked out instead. Before the well was cemented and sealed it had leaked for three whole days. The Department of Homeland Security reported that over 3 million cubic feet of natural gas was released into the air. Natural gas contains methane, a greenhouse gas that is 3 times more potent than carbon dioxide (Entrekin et al., 2011). Moreover, health concerns were raised over the fracking exercise. The chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing are highly toxic (Entrekin et al., 2011). Unfortunately, they cannot be filtered out of contaminated water. Consequently many residents have developed health conditions that range from malignant tumours to skin conditions. Neurological pathologies that present with brain lesions are among the common findings.

The Public Health Concern

The public health implications of fracking are overwhelming but different report on the subject have been produced. Initially the extensive water contamination was brought to the public's attention following leakage of natural gas through household water pipes. Videos of flaming sinks circulated through different news channels and appeals were made to test the tap water for contamination. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, the state regulatory body, followed up on the testing. The reports filed by different oil corporations stated that the water did not have any contamination that could be linked to the hydraulic fracturing exercise in the area. This was inconsistent with the numerous complaints on the clear contamination of water collected by different residents (Vidic et al., 2013). The COGCC remained silent on the matter despite appeals from the public.

The report from the United States Environmental Protection Agency highlighted some of the impacts of fracking. The report identified conditions that aggravate the impact of fracking. It highlighted how fracking contaminates both ground water and surface water (Vidic et al., 2013). Although the long term impacts of the fracking operation could not be assessed, the report did conclude that the mining operation has contaminated drinking water to the level that it is now unsafe (Entrekin et al., 2011). Therefore, the lack of access to safe drinking water raises a huge public health concern.

In addition to the contamination, the fracking process utilizes a lot of water. On average 8 million litres of water is used in the process. This amount can met the daily consumption of over 65,000 people (Mooney, 2011). Currently, water sources in the US are depleting and shortages are imminent (Entrekin et al., 2011). Residence in Colorado are forced to buy water for domestic use since tap water is unusable and water wells are dry. Water is central to improving sanitation and hygiene. Around 10% of the global disease burden can be reduced by increasing access to safe drinking water, improving hygiene and sanitation, and improving water management.

The Benefits of Fracking

Fracking has improved access to natural gas. Tapping into the large domestic natural gas deposits has greatly increased the supply of the resource lowing the cost on natural gas. Fracking has been used over 1,000,000 time in the US and accounts for over 60% of all new oil and gas wells. A survey of oil and natural gas prices over the last two decades reveals the economic impact of fracking. Between 2008 and 2015, oil and natural gas. In 2016, the Energy Information Administration reported that the US expenditure on oil and natural gas importation had reduced by over 310 billion as compared to 2008. This was mirrored by the reduced oil and gas prices.

Moreover, the fracking boom created over 700,000 jobs between 2005 and 2012. This blunted the impacts of the financial crisis (Fitzgerald, 2012). On average 1,000,000 dollars' worth of extracted oil and natural gas created over 200,000 dollars in wages. Therefore both direct and indirect dependents are able to enjoy improved financial stability from the hydraulic fracturing process. Finally the economic burden of importing natural gas has been alleviated (Fitzgerald, 2012). Consequently the US can enjoy economic and political independence from big oil producing nations.

Keys to Sustainable Natural Gas

Considering the pros and cons of fracking, there is a need to make natural gas more sustainable and resolve the controversies surrounding the whole process. When compared to coal, natural gas is less harmful to the environment. However its effects are more potent than carbon dioxide. Unfortunately over 3% of natural gas is released in the environment during fracking. Accidents and poor extraction technique result in more losses. Strict regulations a have to be put in place to guide and monitor the extraction and waste disposal processes used in fracking.

Currently, fracking is regulated by the state government. The state provides standards on air emissions and mining procedures. Some states have put regulations that put mining zones far from residential areas. Moreover, conservation areas and large water catchment are protected from oil and natural gas mining corporations. The Environmental Protection Agency has also issued rules on air pollution from fracking operations (Manuel, 2010). The Congress has also exempted fracking from particular provisions of the Clean Water Act. In some sates comprehensive disclosure of fracking chemicals is required coupled with a system-based management of water and wastes. Today, over 45,000 shale wells are operating in the US and this shows the need for sustainable natural gas.

References

Entrekin, S., Evans-White, M., Johnson, B., & Hagenbuch, E. (2011). Rapid expansion of natural gas development poses a threat to surface waters. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 9(9), 503-511.

Fitzgerald, T. (2012). Frackonomics: some economics of hydraulic fracturing. Case W. Res. L. Rev., 63, 1337.

Manuel, J. (2010). Mining: EPA tackles fracking. Environmental health perspectives, 118(5), A199.

Mooney, C. (2011). The truth about fracking. Scientific American, 305(5), 80-85.

Vidic, R. D., Brantley, S. L., Vandenbossche, J. M., Yoxtheimer, D., & Abad, J. D. (2013). Impact of shale gas development on regional water quality. Science, 340(6134), 1235009.