Fracking is a process through which natural gas contained within shale and other sedimentary rocks may be extracted.
Its method is quite straightforward as shown in the image below.
First, a hole is drilled into the ground, through the water table and then sideways into the gas-containing rock.
A casing is then inserted into the hole to seal the well from the water table and then a chemical mixture of sand and water, referred to as fracking fluid, is then pumped into the well at extremely high pressure.
This fractures the rock completely, allowing isolated pockets of gas to conglomerate in a single chamber.
The fracking fluid is then pumped out and the natural gas is then extracted from the well. Finally, the fracking fluid is then pumped back into the fractures now void of gas and the well is sealed.
Its method is quite straightforward as shown in the image below.
First, a hole is drilled into the ground, through the water table and then sideways into the gas-containing rock.
A casing is then inserted into the hole to seal the well from the water table and then a chemical mixture of sand and water, referred to as fracking fluid, is then pumped into the well at extremely high pressure.
This fractures the rock completely, allowing isolated pockets of gas to conglomerate in a single chamber.
The fracking fluid is then pumped out and the natural gas is then extracted from the well. Finally, the fracking fluid is then pumped back into the fractures now void of gas and the well is sealed.
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Points of controversy with this process are great in number, a chief concern being groundwater contamination.
Fracking can pollute the water table in two main ways. One, the casing can rupture under high pressure, and two, fractures can extend beyond the gas-containing shale and directly into the water table. |
This website was constructed by the following Virginia Tech students:
Murjan Hammad Wildlife Conservation
Will Kennerly Wildlife Science
Ashley Lohr Wildlife Science
Murjan Hammad Wildlife Conservation
Will Kennerly Wildlife Science
Ashley Lohr Wildlife Science