Hydraulic Fracturing: Gloomy or Bright Horizon?

...

With all the scientific data that exist to refute the claim that fracking fluids pollute groundwater aquifers one argument in which science does not stand behind fracturing is the claim that frack wells produce air pollution as “Studies have shown dangerous levels of toxic air pollution near fracking sites”(NRDC, nd). While this statement might seem extreme to some, it might leave the impression of steaming vats of chemicals and contaminants wafting into the atmosphere which couldn’t be further from the truth. There are actually rarely any well emissions that can be directly related to the actual fracturing process (Trican Well Service, 2014). The true air pollution culprit is the various trucks and vehicles that are constantly coming to and from a well site while an additional portion of the blame can be placed on the exhaust produced by generators and motors that power the rig. While this is a notable issue it is not however, a fracturing specific issue. What is meant by that is that all forms of natural resource recovery whether it be vertical well drilling, mining or even logging all require great amounts of logistical support from heavy machinery like trucks, bulldozers etc. In light of the pollution steaming from the endless flow of trucks at a frack sight, it is worth mentioning a 2012 report by the US Energy Information Agency found that CO2 emission levels had dropped to 1992 levels, largely due to the natural gas boom incited by hydraulic fracturing (Trican Well Service, 2014). So for the bit of pollution produced by the trucks and generators at a fracking well an overall net decrease in emissions is achieved in the end with the help of these machines.

Another issue that is often tied together with air and water pollution is the notion that hydraulic fracturing is responsible for causing cancer in the rural areas where the wells are located. One such organization that makes this claim is Breast Cancer Action, where they denounced fracking, “because the practice exposes people to endocrine disruptors and carcinogenic chemicals that are linked to breast cancer”. If true this is a very worrisome as was stated previously that 90% of wells in the US have been fractured. Upon closer examination of the groups logic behind their statement ones worry quickly begins to dissipate. This is because the group claims that these “endocrine disruptors” leach from deep within the well through the rock layers up into fresh water aquifers where they are then consumed in the drinking water. However as previously noted, the same impermeable rock that has kept the gas and water separate for millions of years will also keep the fracking fluids separate from the water. You almost have to question where someone could come up with information that seems almost baseless, and I say almost baseless because there is some truth to their argument. In a study conducted at the University Of Missouri School Of Medicine, seven hundred fluids used in the fracturing process were examined and it was concluded that multiple fluids contained endocrine disruptors (Knapton, 2013). The study also concluded that people were at risk if they became exposed to these endocrine disruptors or if these chemicals where somehow spilled onto the ground. So while Breast Cancer Actions’ statement may have a truth to it, it entails a lot of “ifs” and particular conditions.

It has come to seem that most of that allegations made against fracturing are contingent upon the “what if” factor. While the geology of the earth makes it virtually impossible for the fracturing fluids to reach any source of water thus making any contamination virtually impossible, it is worth noting than when corners are cut in fracturing the outcome is hardly ever pleasant. This was demonstrated when Chesapeake Energy spilled 8000 gallons of fracking fluid on the ground at a frack site in Dimock Pennsylvania, contaminating several ground water sources in the Marcellus shale formation (McGraw, 2015). With this being said, fracturing has its risk just as every other venture in life and when greed trumps safety the results can be catastrophic. However when fracturing operations are conducted in a safe well-regulated fashion they can be utilized to further exploit wells once thought no longer profitable. If all future hydraulic fracturing operations can be carried out in this fashion, all signs show the future of the industry looking bright.

Bibliography

1.) "Shooters - A "Fracking" History -." American Oil & Gas Historical Society. 19 Apr. 2015. Web. 10 Oct. 2015.

2.) “Talking Oil and Gas”. Trican Well Service, 2014. Print.

3.) Banerjee, Neela. "Fracking Has Contaminated Drinking Water, EPA Now Concludes." Inside Climate News. 5 June 2015. Web. 10 Oct. 2015.

4.) "Unchecked Fracking Threatens Health, Water Supplies." Natural Resources Defense Council. Web. 17 Oct. 2015.

5.) McGraw, Seamus. "The 10 Most Controversial Claims About Fracking." Popular Mechanics. 5 Jan. 2015. Web. 10 Oct. 2015.

6.) Brown, Katie. "Yale Health Study Misses the Mark on Fracking." Energy In Depth. 11 Sept. 2014. Web. 10 Oct. 2015.

7.) Baughman, Desiree. "Fracking: Friend or Foe For Homeowners? - InsuranceQuotes.org." Insurance Quotes. 19 July 2013. Web. 17 Oct. 2015.

8.) Worstall, Tim. "Ten Things to Know About Fracking." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 21 June 2011. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.

9.) Gasland. Dir. Josh Fox. New Video Group, 2010. Film.

10.) "Don't Frack With Our Health." Breast Cancer Action. Breast Cancer Action. Web. 14 Nov. 2015.

11.) Vaughn, Adam. "Why Is Fracking Bad? You Asked Google – Here's the Answer." The Guardian. The Guardian, 19 Aug. 2015. Web. 17 Nov. 2015.

URL Sources

1. http://aoghs.org/technology/hydraulic-fracturing/

2. Talking Oil and Gas: Trican

3. http://insideclimatenews.org/news/05062015/fracking-has-contaminated-drinking-water-epa-now-concludes

4. http://www.nrdc.org/energy/gasdrilling/

5. http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/energy/g161/top-10-myths-about-natural-gas-drilling-6386593/