Fracking typically occurs at depths of 6,000 to 10,000 feet below the surface.
To elaborate, hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a process used to extract oil and natural gas from shale rock formations deep underground. The process involves drilling a wellbore vertically, and then often horizontally, into the shale formation. The reported depth reflects how far down the well must be drilled to reach the shale layer where fracking operations take place.
Here’s a breakdown of the process and why this depth is crucial:
- Drilling Depth: The initial drilling goes down several thousand feet to reach the target shale layer.
- Casing and Cementing: Steel casings are inserted into the wellbore to maintain its integrity, and cement is used to secure the casing and prevent contamination of groundwater aquifers, which are located much shallower.
- Target Zone: The target zone, the shale rock itself, is located at these significant depths (6,000-10,000 feet). This is far below freshwater aquifers, which are a major concern for environmental safety.
- Fracturing: Once the well reaches the shale layer, a perforated pipe gun creates small explosions to fracture the rock. A mixture of water, sand, and chemicals is then pumped into the well at high pressure to create and expand these fractures, allowing oil and gas to flow more freely to the wellbore.
The deep placement of the fracking operation helps to isolate the process from shallower water sources, though proper well construction and integrity are vital to prevent any potential contamination.
