An example of fracking is the process of recovering oil and gas from shale rock by drilling down and injecting high-pressure liquids sideways into the rock. This process creates fractures, allowing the oil and gas to flow more freely to the well.
Here's a breakdown of how fracking (hydraulic fracturing) works:
- Drilling: A well is drilled vertically down to reach shale rock formations deep underground. These formations are known to contain significant reserves of oil and natural gas.
- Horizontal Drilling: Once the well reaches the shale formation, it is then extended horizontally for thousands of feet. This horizontal drilling increases the surface area of the well that is in contact with the shale, maximizing the potential for extraction.
- Perforation: The horizontal section of the well is then perforated, which means small holes are created in the well casing. This allows the fracking fluid to enter the shale rock.
- Hydraulic Fracturing: A mixture of water, sand, and chemicals (called fracking fluid) is pumped into the well at extremely high pressure. This pressure causes the shale rock to fracture, creating cracks that extend outwards from the well.
- Proppant: The sand within the fracking fluid acts as a "proppant," holding the fractures open after the pressure is released. This allows the oil and natural gas to flow more easily from the shale rock into the well.
- Extraction: The oil and natural gas then flow up the well to the surface, where they are collected and processed.
Fracking has enabled the extraction of oil and gas from previously inaccessible shale formations, leading to increased energy production. However, it also raises environmental concerns, including the potential for groundwater contamination, induced seismicity (earthquakes), and air pollution.
