Research Paper on Fracking

Definition of Fracking and How It Works

Fracking is defined as the process which entails drilling down into the earth surface. The drilling is done before the high-pressure water is channeled towards the rock with the aim of aiding in the release of the gas inside. Sand, chemicals, and water are, therefore, injected into a particular rock coupled with high pressure to enable efficacy in the flow of gas out to the head of the well.

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It is worth noting that the working of fracking entails several steps. The first step is on drilling a hole down to the level of gas-rich shale. The drilled well is then given a steel casing to prevent contamination of the nearby waters. The moment the drill reaches the shale layer, it starts to drill at a horizontal dimension for miles. It is at the time in which a perforating gun that is loaded with explosives is charged and lowered to the bottom of the drilled well. The gun helps in puncturing small holes in a horizontal dimension of the casing which exists deep within the shale layers. The next stage entails the actual act of fracking. Many people may also view it as the completion stage. The stage includes the pumping of a mixture of sand, water, and chemicals into the drilled well at very high pressure to go through the tiny holes made in the casing (Brad, 2015, n.p). The fluids aid in cracking the shale rock until it opens. The sand equally helps in holding the cracks until they open. There is also the flow backstage which may not be ignored since it consists of chemicals and waters which flow out of the well and are channeled for disposal reasons or treatment. The last concern which finalizes the case of cracking is marked with the flow of the natural gas from the shale area until it is directed out of the well, a place where it is shipped to the consumers through the use of pipelines. In most cases, typical wells may produce gas for about 20 to 40 years with an approximate pumping of about thousands of cubic feet of gas daily.

Where Fracking Is Performed With Specific Concern on North Carolina

According to the information kept by the United States' Energy Information and Administration, there were at least 23, 000 hydraulically fractured wells which were situated in the United States in 2000. As at 2015, the United States had around 300, 000 hydraulically fractured well, a figure which showed immense developments of more than ten times the number of hydraulic wells which were available in 2000. The 300, 000 fractured wells accounted for at least 51 and 67 percent of U.S. crude oil and natural gas production respectively. In May 2016, The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality gave authorization for the drilling of exploratory wells in Hoke, Cumberland and the Scotland counties for both oil and gas deposits which were to be obtained through fracking in the shale formations even as the samples failed in indicating the existence of oil or gas deposits. North Carolina equally developed regulations which would oversee activities like vertical drilling, road use and water management as a way of taking caution while allowing fracking to take the course.

Most of its regulations, however, are dated and fail to cover fracturing and the horizontal drilling hence guarding against any ability to develop the state's rich natural gas. It also opined to have robust regulatory programs especially those that apply to the application of wastewater (Richard, 2013, n.p). In consideration of the regulations put in place for North Carolina, the process of hydraulic fracking is minimized. The situation has forced the policy makers within the United States to review the policies which can look into laws and prove a technology that has been used in the country for at least a three-quarter century. The kind of technology will grant North Carolina the opportunity of coming up with proper regulations which can help in the maximization of production. It is also projected that there will be associated economic benefits as well as proper mechanisms which will enhance the protection of the environment and guarantee the safety of the people.

Positive and Negative Consequences of Hydraulic Fracturing

It is worth noting that hydraulic fracturing has both positive and negatives. Some of the positive consequences include the increasing reliance on the natural gas instead of charcoal fuel. The increase in reliance is associated with health benefits based on the fact that natural gas produces lesser harmful particles in the air. Another benefit may be noted in the case of a power plant level where the natural gas emits between 44 and 50 percent of the total greenhouse gas emission. The emission is lower compared to that of burning coal hence a benefit to the people and the environment at large. The drinking waters, oil, and gas also exist at different levels hence the difficulty of the three coming to contact (John, 2015, n.p). The well-run drilling operations are based on oil and gas extraction from thousands of feet in the ground hence the creation of cracks which allow chemicals to reach shallow aquifers as compared to the case of water areas. Therefore, there exist no or little chances that the drinking waters can be contaminated as a result of fracking. In consideration of the low water intensity for fracking than in the case of fossil fuels and the nuclear products, those living around the fracking zone may benefit from the limited use of water in the creation of manufacturing facility. Many people may benefit from the hydraulic fracking through employment opportunities among others.

Even though the positive consequences of fracking exists, there are also the negative ones. For example, its displacement of the legacy coal in North Carolina may not provide surety on the improved regional air quality. In most events, the air quality around fracking is not well understood based on its cumulative health effects. Their methane from the wells may also leak hence doing away with any benefit of any greenhouse gas particularly those drawn from fracking. It is also important to note that even as there exists argument that fracking may not lead to water contamination based on the different levels of the gas, oil, and water, high-volume hydraulic fracturing techniques stand a chance of contaminating drinking water due to cases of good blowouts. The last negative consequence is based on the possibility of earthquakes due to the immense interference it has on the land. The drilling goes deep beneath the earth surface hence may weaken the earth and lead to earthquakes.

The Feeling of Most Democrats About Fracking

The practice of fracking has emerged as a divisive concern in the United States based on the different views presented by the Democrats and the Republicans. The Democrats are against the practice with the basic concerns on its effects on the environment. They argue that the process has caused severe impacts on the environment as well as being responsible for water pollution in the United States of America (Toby, 2013, n.p). Even as they agree that the increased production of gas has transformed the energy market of the United States, a significant portion of the environment has been lost in the process. They thus advise that if the process must be practiced, then it should be based on very strict policies and regulations which will guarantee the safety of the environment and that of the people. The former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton who is also viewed as a staunch Democrat at one point mentioned about the clarity pertaining the science of climate implications of the natural gas hence the need for mitigation.

Conclusion

In summary, the process of fracking is based on drilling and injecting fluids on the earth surface at very high pressure with the aim of fracturing the shale rocks and the subsequent release of the gas inside. The process is elaborate and may be regulated considering the associated consequences as noted in the case of North Carolina therein. In consideration of the negative impacts, most Democrats are against it due to the severe effects on the environment. They argue that if the process must be practiced, then it should be done under the strict regulations.

Works Cited

Brad, Plumer. How does Fracking Work, Exactly? Vox. 2015. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/cards/fracking/how-does-fracking-work-exactly

John, Wihbey. Pros and Cons of Fracking: 5 Key Issues. Yale Climate Connection. 2015. Retrieved from https://www.yaleclimateconnections.org/2015/05/pros-and-cons-of-fracking-5-key-issues/

Richard, Ziglar. Fracking North Carolina: What Do We Do With The Waste? WUNC 91.5. 2013. Retrieved from http://wunc.org/post/fracking-north-carolina-what-do-we-do-waste#stream/0

Toby, Helm. Liberal Democrats Blast Environmental Damage Caused by Fracking. The Guardian. 2013. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/aug/24/lib-dems-damage-fracking-shale-gas-revolution