What Is Fracking?
Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking” as it is commonly called, is an oil and natural gas extraction process whereby fluid is forced into reservoir rock formations at extreme pressure to fracture the rock and increase the rate and overall recovery of oil or natural gas. The process of fracking can involve drilling rock for up to one mile horizontally from the drilling site, and then fracturing up to 500 feet from the drilled hole, thus maximizing the area that can be optimized for productivity by drilling one hole.
In order to break up the rock, the fluid used in fracking typically contains caustic substances like formaldehyde, hydrochloric acid, methanol, ammonium persulfate (a standard ingredient in hair bleach), sodium tetraborate pentahydrate (commonly used for making insulating fiberglass, sodium perborate bleach), and many other chemicals which are protected as “trade secrets”. Those in the gas industry have reported that only .5% of the fracking fluid is comprised of chemicals, the rest being water and sand.
While .5% seems like a harmless amount, the average frack uses 3 - 7 million gallons of fluid, which means 15,000-35,000 gallons of chemicals may be used. Anywhere from 15%-65% of that fracking fluid is recovered, and the rest is left in the ground. In the best case scenario, if they only used 15,000 gallons of chemicals and they recovered 65%, they are still leaving 5250 gallons of chemicals underground. While the industry maintains that these harmful chemicals cannot migrate into groundwater or water wells, their assumption is based in theory and not fact.
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Public Safety Concerns
Migrating Methane
Migrating methane is another concern. A recent Duke University study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that levels of flammable methane gas had risen to dangerous levels in drinking water wells near active gas wells. The study focused on the gas wells located in the Marcellus shale formation of the northeastern United States. Of the 68 water wells sampled in New York and Pennsylvania, 60 had dangerous levels of methane. The research found that of the 26 wells tested that were located near active drilling sites, 21 contained a type of methane that does not occur naturally and is exclusive to drilling. As a general rule, wells located closer to drilling had higher methane concentrations.
Fracking Fluid:
A 2004 EPA report found that there were uncertainties about how fracking fluid migrates through rock, and whether or not it could reach water wells or groundwater. The 2004 study consisted of reviewing literature, some of which is now 15-20 years old. Fracking methods have evolved from that time, and many of the safety practices remain theoretical. The gas companies have admitted that they do not recover all of their fracking fluids, and many are concerned that the unrecovered chemicals will migrate and pollute their groundwater or water wells.
Well Blowouts
Another safety concern is well blowouts. One recent well blowout in Pennsylvania shot natural gas and drilling water 75 feet into the air for several hours while the crew struggled to gain control. Luckily, that well was located in a remote area, and the surrounding houses were at least one mile away. A blowout in Shreveport, LA killed one worker, injured another, and caused two dozen homes to be evacuated. In addition to above ground pollution and danger, blowouts can cause plumes of underground pollution that can mix with groundwater.
Are You Affected?
As of today there have been many dangerous and injurious events that may be related to fracking, including: fracking chemical and benzene contamination of drinking water; “flammable water” from water tainted with methane; earthquakes; house explosions from migrating gas. If you or someone you know has been adversely affected by fracking in Arkansas, contact our office.
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