Using Fracking for Oil Recovery. Brittney Borserine AGSC 301. March 29, 2017

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1 Using Fracking for Oil Recovery Brittney Borserine AGSC 301 March 29, 2017

2 Every day citizens of the United States use oil and natural gas, but how much does the common person really know about the energy sources utilized today and where they come from. Since the beginning of time humans have relied on natural resources such as coal, oil, and gas to power their civilizations. Over the last century, the world s dependence on oil has grown exponentially to the point where shortages are common and nation s economies can be entirely dependent on the price and availability of world oil. In order to understand the issues that oil fracking can present, one must understand exactly what oil fracking is. Fracking is the process in which fractures in rocks below the Earth s surface are widened with chemicals and other liquids at a high pressure (The Definition of Fracking, 2017). Typically, fracking is done going into shale or other tighter rock formations and can be used to release both oil and natural gas. There is one surface site for release, but this one site can be used for multiple wells allowing for more oil and gas capture than with a single well as with traditional oil recovery. There is a common misconception that oil fracking is a new technique, but that would be very incorrect. While the exact fracking techniques known today are slightly newer, the concepts used for fracking can be traced all the way back to 1862 during the Civil War era (Introduction, 2017). These techniques were discovered by blowing holes into mines and hills. Originally this act was referred to as superincumbent fluid tamping, where soldiers would fire explosives into narrow canals to blow them open to be able to use them as passageways for the squadron. A few years after this method began being used patient number 59,936 was issued to improve fracking methods (Introduction, 2017). Fracking had a long way to go from being the Exploding Torpedo to the marvel of engineering and technology that it is today (Introduction 2017). From its inception fracking has always been a major key to the success of the oil business; within the

3 first few years of the patient being issued oil production was increased by 1200% (Introduction, 2017). Over the decades fracking has undergone many changes, much of which began around the 1930s (Oil, Crude, 2017). One of the most vital changes fracking underwent was the change towards the use of non-explosive liquids in fracking, to move towards a more stable method of retrieving oil (Oil, Crude, 2017). The fracking systems we know today cam be tracked back to the 1990s (Oil, Crude 2017). Oil prices had been on the rise and the world was desperately searching for a way to fill their oil needs, leading to major innovation. George P. Mitchell found the answer to the issues the world was facing by combining hydraulic fracking with horizontal drilling (Oil, Crude, 2017). This innovation led to the Shale Oil Boom, alleviating all the oil shortages throughout the country. Due to the nature of hydraulic fracturing there are many who oppose it, as well as those who are whole heartedly for it and the efficiency which it presents. Many of the pros of hydraulic fracking include: greater access to oil and natural gas, improved air quality, decreased dependency on foreign oil, lower taxes, return on investments, and decreased greenhouse gases (List of Pros and Cons of Fracking, 2017, Wihbey 2017). May of the cons include: cause of decrease in innovative research, waste of clean water, increased pollution, spread of toxins, noise pollution, and potential decrease in air quality (Wihbey 2017). While there are many on those lists, and many more not included, the greatest issues discussed today are the effects on air quality, dependence on foreign oil and the spread of toxins. The only major discussion point with no con is the United States decrease on foreign oil with the increase of hydraulic fracking. From its inception fracking has greatly increased the availability of oil, and through the innovation experienced over the past century that has only increased. There are many advantages to decreased oil dependency including improved foreign

4 affairs, decrease in cost of petroleum per barrel, and energy security. The entire world runs on oil, and the advantage being the stake holder in a world market such as oil and natural gas presents should be worth investing in as a developed nation, even without the additional advantages previously stated. There are very few issues about hydraulic fracking that can be given such a firm stance, but the issue of oil dependence is one. The argument between both sides regarding air quality effects is significantly less concrete. Those who are in favor of hydraulic fracking cite the difference in pollution levels between gas and that of coal (What is Fracking 2017). Many older cities, especially those on the east coast still rely on coal to power and heat homes, as well as many power plants across the country that burn coal to produce energy that gets spread hundreds of miles to power surrounding cities. The effects of greenhouse gases put off by both coal and gasoline have been proven to be detrimental to the environment, but what is most important to consider is the efficiency of the two products (What is Fracking 2017). While coal has been a long-time energy source, it is not very efficient as it can only be used for a handful of tasks, none of which can be performed at the same time. On the other hand, oil can serve as a versatile energy source. When processing the oil retrieved from hydraulic fracking dozens of products can be produced, including energy. There are different tiers of products produced from the refining process including things such as diesel No. 1 and No. 2 fuel and different quality levels of gasoline to be used in a common day vehicle. During this refining process, there are many by-products produced, one of which is steam which is used as energy. Most of this energy doesn t get used to power homes or cities, but it is utilized to reduce the need for other fossil fuels within the process of making everyday goods. With this understanding, it is clear that oil is much more efficient than coal, which would make the greenhouse gases produced more worthwhile, as the after

5 effects are less in order to produce the same amount of energy as the coal. This is a real life, in the now effect being seen by the increased reliance on oil fracking. On the flip side, many people argue that the natural gas being released along with the oil during hydraulic fracking is actually eliminating the positive effects of the more efficient oil and is causing more damage than good (What is Fracking 2017). It is also speculated that gasoline might only be able to replace or supplement coal in the more eastern states, but that it would not be able to take over more of the energy industry than it already has out west (What is Fracking 2017). The evidence is strongly in favor of hydraulic fracking, and the improvements it is making for air quality, however some people have still not been convinced. The greatest issue addressed in concern to hydraulic fracking and the release of oil and natural gas has been the release of toxins and other pollutants, especially as it pertains to water and safe drinking water. There are wild claims that simply the act of fracking is detrimental to the planet and is bad for babies, but the accusations regarding water safety are a lot more profound. When considering that there are 40,000 gallons of chemicals used on every hydraulic fracturing site and that only roughly 10% of the water used during the fracking surface returns to the surface to be cleansed, it leaves a lot of questions unanswered (Reynard 2015). There are many industries with much less alarming numbers, such as the poultry and fertilizer industries, that have more stringent regulations on requirements, and that s only because the public has greater knowledge about the issues at hand. While there are many pros and cons to hydraulic fracking, it is my personal belief that the innovation shown by the oil fracking business shouldn t be ignored or unused simply because there are unknowns. It might not be the ultimate energy solution, but it is one of the better ones that exists today. While additional research needs to be done into the process and the real issues

6 that it presents, currently it stands as the best source of oil and natural gas for our nation. In the future, a better solution might come about with less environmental issues, but for now we should use the most efficient forms of energy available today.

7 References "Introduction - What Is Hydraulic Fracturing? What Is Fracking". What Is Fracking?. N.p., Web. 7 Mar "List Of Pros And Cons Of Fracking". OccupyTheory. N.p., Web. 7 Mar Oil, Crude. "The Real History Of Fracking Oilprice.Com". OilPrice.com. N.p., Web. 7 Mar "The Definition Of Fracking". Dictionary.com. N.p., Web. 7 Mar "What Is Fracking And Why Is It Controversial? - BBC News". BBC News. N.p., Web. 7 Mar Wihbey, John and John Wihbey. "Pros And Cons Of Fracking: 5 Key Issues - Yale Climate Connections". Yale Climate Connections. N.p., Web. 7 Mar Reynard Loki / AlterNet. (2015, April 28). 8 Dangerous Side Effects of Fracking That the Industry Doesn't Want You to Hear About. Retrieved March 29, 2017, from

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