I chose this topic to get people to think about the goods and bads of fracking to maybe decide for them self's if its good or bad Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a technique employed to extract natural gas from deep underground through a specific drilling process. The procedure involves initially drilling a vertical well, which is then encased in steel or cement. Subsequently, a horizontal well is drilled within the rock layer containing natural gas. To facilitate the extraction process, fracking fluid is injected into the well at exceptionally high pressure. This fluid fractures the rock, creating pathways for oil and gas to flow to the surface.
The origins of fracking can be traced back to Colonel Edward A. L. Roberts, who devised a version of this method in 1862. During the Civil War at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Roberts observed the impact of artillery blasts on water channels. The concept of "shooting the well" evolved as a torpedo-like device was lowered into an oil well and detonated, subsequently enhancing oil flow.
In the 1940s, the use of explosives gave way to high-pressure liquids, marking the advent of hydraulic fracturing. The 21st century witnessed two key advancements: the introduction of horizontal drilling and the utilization of slick water, a combination of water, sand, and chemicals, to enhance fluid flow. With increased financial investment and rising global oil prices, fracking gained momentum and popularity. Between 1940 and 2014, approximately one million oil wells underwent the fracking process, with about one third of these wells being fracked after the year 2000."increases economic activity, employment, income and housing prices. But, it also brings more truck traffic, increases in crime and potential health impacts possibly due to air and/or water pollution." Gabriel Allen 1/20/24