What Is Hydraulic Fracturing?

Hydraulic fracturing is a widely used oil and gas well production stimulation measure. Hydraulic fracturing is the main form of natural gas extraction at present. It requires the use of a large amount of water mixed with chemical substances to fill the shale formation with hydraulic fracture to release natural gas. This technology has been widely used in the United States for 10 years, but Americans are worrying that this technology will pollute water sources, threatening the local ecological environment and the health of residents. And think that this technology has caused great harm to the environment, including spontaneous combustion of tap water, causing a small earthquake.

Hydraulic fracturing

Right!

Hydraulic fracturing is a widely used oil and gas well production stimulation measure.

Hydraulic fracturing is using the ground

Although hydraulic fracturing has been invented in the 19th century, it has not been used on a large scale until nearly a decade. Today, 95% of new oil wells in the United States in recent years were drilled by hydraulic fracturing.

The water used in the hydraulic fracturing method adds a large amount of chemicals, which makes these waters extremely polluting. Even a large sewage treatment plant cannot treat these waters, and it can only be sealed in the bottom after multiple uses. However, this is not a safe treatment method. In fact, in the United States, people have inadvertently caused these wastewaters to leak and penetrate into the groundwater.

In 2004, the EPA evaluated the environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing. It turned out that the technology was safe. The US Energy Policy Act of 2005 even stipulates that hydraulic fracturing laws are not restricted by the US Safe Drinking Water Act. However, in the eyes of environmental organizations and some legislators, the results of the EPA's assessment are debatable. They are a palliative policy to maintain the normal development of shale gas development.

Regarding the viewpoint of hydraulic fracturing, the United States Energy Forum has written that the problem was caused by a series of separate water pollution incidents, which were caused by improper operation of operators, rather than the flaws of hydraulic fracturing itself.