Gas is extracted by fracking through the high-pressure injection of a mixture into underground rock formations.
The process known as hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking', is specifically used for extracting shale gas. This involves a key operational step:
The Fracking Process Explained
The primary mechanism involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure directly into the shale layer.
- High-Pressure Injection: A specialized fluid mixture is pumped deep underground.
- Targeting Shale: This fluid is directed into dense shale rock formations that contain trapped natural gas.
- Creating Fractures: The intense pressure from the injected fluid cracks the shale open.
- Gas Release: These new fractures create pathways, allowing the trapped gas to escape from the rock.
Managing Flowback Water
Following the injection and fracturing, the water used in the process is allowed to return to the surface. This returning water, known as flowback water, is then collected. It is subsequently treated or reused in further operations.
In essence, fracking relies on using pressurized liquid to break apart rock and free the gas contained within.
