Running head: FRACKING: OPPORTUNITY OR DANGER 1

Fracking: Is It an Opportunity or Danger for Our Future

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FRACKING: OPPORTUNITY OR DANGER 2

Fracking: Is It an Opportunity or Danger for Our Future

Introduction

Known by another term as hydraulic fracturing, fracking is a new technology applied to

extract oil and natural gas from highly compacted geological structures or rocks. This new way

of accessing fuel involves the use of a highly pressured mixture of sand, water, and chemicals on

rocks, which are eventually fractured to release the fuel producing hydrocarbons (Bamberger &

Oswald, 2014). Apparently, the mixture which is under high pressure is applied to wells drilled

horizontally. Initially, these wells are drilled vertically, but on reaching a given desired depth,

horizontal wells are drilled to access oil and natural gas trapped within the strata of rocks. Once

the drilling reaches the shale rock perceived to have the required hydrocarbon’s composition, the

mixture is then pumped under pressure to enhance the permeability of the shale rock, eventually

allowing the hydrocarbons to escape and be captured through the well to the surface. After the

fracking process is over, flow back water/wastewater returns to the surface. Finally, the oil is

separated from the wastewater as well as the natural gas, taken through processing, refining and

finally shipping to various markets. The composition of chemicals in the mixture used during the

fracking process varies between 2 percent and 0.5 percent depending on the features of the well.

In light of the reduced monetary cost in extracting oil and the increased environmental cost

accompanied with the fracking process, there has been a notable rise in debates regarding the

cost-benefit analysis of Fracking. Following such concerns, it will be imperative to explore

various peer-reviewed/scholarly research articles from various scholars offering an informed,

rational approach towards the controversy on whether Franking poses an opportunity or a danger

for our future.

Literature review

First, it will be safe to review an article on why fracking is controversial as published

online by BBC News on 16th December 2015, an article by David Shukman. Basing his initial

research on the United Kingdom, Shukman (2015) points outs that various petroleum drilling

companies have suggested that it is possible to realize trillions of cubic feet of shale gas through

hydraulic fracturing. According to Shukman, the term fracking is coined from the process of

using the high-pressure mixture to fracture the rock containing the shale gas. With over a 100

licenses awarded to various firms seeking exploration of oil in the UK, most of these firms have

identified areas with shale deposits which are viable for exploitation via franking. Meanwhile,

the method has received controversial information regarding its safety especially when it comes

to its environmental impacts. Apparently, there were fracking operations near Blackpool in 2011

which were halted when the area received two earthquakes of the scales of 2.2 and 1.5 in

magnitude (Shukman, 2015). It was perceived that these tremors were triggered by the drilling of

shale gas via fracking method and therefore, although the tremors were too small, no one knows

how they would advance in magnitude in the future. Therefore, it was crucial for the government

to take caution and halt the extraction until further research has been conducted.

Meanwhile, Shukman (2015) highlighted various advantages associated with the

Franking process. In the US, Franking has driven gas prices down, since drilling firms have been

able to access gas and oil which was previously perceived difficult to access. Therefore, the US

fuel exploration fraternity has realized a significant boost in the process or the domestic oil

production, eventually driving gas prices down. More so, Franking in the US and Canada has

been projected to offer fuel gas security for over 100 years offering a profound opportunity for

the generation of electricity which is more environmentally friendly in its carbon dioxide
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emissions compared to coal (Shukman, 2015). In fact, using the fuel from fracking to produce

electricity, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by half compared to those emitted when using

coal. The energy industry also postulates that the United Kingdom would also benefit

significantly from the exploration of shale gas via the fracking method. Eventually, the

expansion of fuel gas exploration using the franking method offers thousands of employment

opportunities hence contributing to the overall living standards of citizens.

On the other hand, Shukman (2015) offers an account of the controversies surrounding

the exploitable of shale gas via the franking process. Shukman claims that there are notable

environmental concerns associated with the exploitation of shale gas via fracking in the US. The

first environmental concern regards transportation of millions of liters of water to the fracking

sites, depleting fresh water supply in various parts of the country. More so, the use of

carcinogenic chemicals mixed with water and sand to create enough pressure for fracturing the

shale rocks contaminates groundwater affecting people using this water for drinking, farming

and even feeding animals (Shukman, 2015). The other ill associated with the fracking process is

triggering earthquakes. In fact, those that oppose this process claim that in a period when the

government had invested heaving in research for renewable energy sources, the invention of the

franking process has abruptly diverted the attention of various governments and energy firms

back to the use of fossil fuels. It is therefore imperative to consult widely and continue seeking

more and more efficient and renewable energy sources in a bid to salvage ourselves from

environmental degradation.

Nick Sorrentino on 9th October 2013 convened a panel discussing the Risk and

Opportunities of Franking, later published in Future 500’s website. The panel featured the

President and CEO of Colorado Oil and Gas Association, Tisha Colony, the Founder of Investor
FRACKING: OPPORTUNITY OR DANGER 5

Environmental Health Network, Dr. Liroff and Senior Director of Center for Energy Economics

and Policy, Alan Krupnick. In attendance to this forum was 200 leaders and executives of the

energy industry across the world (Sorrentino, 2013). As the discussion progressed, it was marked

that in the US, various anomalies had been identified in areas that Franking took place such as

groundwater contamination as well as congestion and accidents on roads where franking took

place due to increased number of tracks on these roads (Sorrentino, 2013). On the other hand,

there were reports citing a notable decline in carbon emissions since exploration of shale gas was

initiated via the franking process in the United States. In fact, the emission levels are currently at

the 1992 levels, and this has taken only three years since fracking started (Sorrentino, 2013). On

the other hand, although fracking promises fewer carbon emissions when practiced globally, it

will be crucial for governments should not stop engaging in renewable more efficient energy

sources. This is so because fracking has its notable setbacks which are water contamination,

community risks.

Bamberger and Oswald in 2014 wrote a book that explained in detail some of the

perceived benefits of franking but heavily dwelled on the negative impacts. Bamberger and

Oswald are some of those scholars who denounce fracking owing to the perceived negative

effects such as water contamination, earthquakes and destroying of the natural resources such as

parks and forests where fracking is mostly practiced. In their book, Bamberger and Oswald

provide various case studies regarding people who have been directly affected negatively by

franking effects. Some of them faced with shattered dreams after developing health

complications while others are forced to vacate their home places and become refugees

elsewhere as they escape the negative effects of fracking (Bamberger & Oswald, 2014). What

Bamberger and Oswald fail to do is offer substantial research results on how fracking can
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continue and at the same time contain these negative effects. Every revolution in the world is

faced with challenges which at the end are contained in a bid to realize greater benefits from the

new technology. It would, therefore, be imperative for Bamberger and Oswald to conduct more

research on Franking to conclude whether there is a possibility to extend the practice while the

negative effects are contained.

Conclusion

Eventually, regarding the points raised to depict how franking may be an opportunity r a

threat in the future, I feel that there is more of an opportunity than a threat. Currently, Franking

allows many states to be fuel dependent, and it reduces the extent of environmental degradation

via carbon emissions by half. Regarding water contamination, research indicates that if best

practices are employed in the exploitation of shale oil, this can be significantly controlled. More

so, regarding earth tremors, it has been identified that the tremors are negligible and cannot reach

the surface of the earth hence they do not pose any reason to worry about notable earthquakes.

The economic benefits realized from the use of fracking as a method of oil exploitation are

immense, and thus it is a viable project which should be adopted across the globe to realize a

significant drop in gas prices.

References

Bamberger, M., & Oswald, R. (2014). The Real Cost of Fracking: How America's Shale Gas

Boom Is Threatening Our Families, Pets, and Food. Boston, Massachusetts: Beacon

Press.

Shukman, D. (2015, December 16). What is fracking and why is it controversial? - BBC News.

Retrieved from [Link]

Sorrentino, N. (2013). The Risks and Opportunities of Fracking - Future 500. Retrieved from

[Link]