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Hydraulic Fracturing

Hydraulic Fracturing. Lacye Vance Walden University M.P.H. Student May 6, 2012 . Presentation Goals . Define Hydraulic Fracturing “ f racking” Explain benefits of fracking General overview of resources used in fracking Health and environmental hazards associated with fracking.

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Hydraulic Fracturing

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  1. Hydraulic Fracturing Lacye Vance Walden University M.P.H. Student May 6, 2012

  2. Presentation Goals • Define Hydraulic Fracturing “fracking” • Explain benefits of fracking • General overview of resources used in fracking • Health and environmental hazards associated with fracking

  3. What is Hydraulic Fracturing • Hydraulic Fracturing or fracking • Used in the breakdown of shale rock formation • Causes oil and natural gasses to be released • High pressure injection of: • Water • Chemicals • Sand http://www.earthworksaction.org/issues/detail/hydraulic_fracturing_101

  4. Benefits • Frackingbegan in the late 1940’s • Increases output from shale rock • Evolving source of natural gas production • Cost efficient • Lowers energy cost • Lessen reliance on oil and coal Zoback, M. Kitasei, S. & Copithorne, B. (2010). Addressing the environmental risk from shale gas development. World Watch Institute. Briefing paper 1.

  5. Water • Water is the main component used in fracking • ~ 95% of the solution is water • Fracking one well takes ~ 8 million gallons of liquid • Most wells require multiple fracking • ~ 80% of fluid is left in the ground Kirker, K. A. & Burger, R. N. (2011). Just the fracking facts. University of Pittsburg Eleventh Annual Freshman Conference.

  6. Chemicals • Companies are not legally mandated to reveal the chemicals they use during the fracking process • Pennsylvania EPA study revealed: • 41 chemicals with known health hazard used • Including known carcinogens • These health hazards include damage to: • Sensory organs (eyes & skin) • Respiratory organs (lungs) • Nervous system organs (brain) Finkel, M. L. & Law, A. (2011). The rush to drill for natural gas: A public health cautionary tale. American Journal of Public Health . 101(5), 784-785.

  7. Sand or Solids • “Propping agents” • Sand • Ceramic beads • Keeps fractures in rock open • Allows gas to move from fracture to well • Gas is then removed from well US Environmental Protection Agency. (2010). Science in action: : Building a scientific foundation for sound environmental decisions. Fact Sheet retrieved from www.eps.gov/ord

  8. Water Pollution • “Flow back” • Waste water created during fracking • Contains “normally occurring radioactive material” • Levels are boosted due to drilling • Considered hazardous Kirker, K. A. & Burger, R. N. (2011). Just the fracking facts. University of Pittsburg Eleventh Annual Freshman Conference.

  9. Air Pollution • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) • Released during process • Carbon Dioxide • Methane • “Flaring” • Process used to burn off unwanted gas Kirker, K. A. & Burger, R. N. (2011). Just the fracking facts. University of Pittsburg Eleventh Annual Freshman Conference.

  10. Soil Pollution • Drilling waste • Mud containing • Hydrocarbons • Radioactive material • Heavy metals Finkel, M. L. & Law, A. (2011). The rush to drill for natural gas: A public health cautionary tale. American Journal of Public Health . 101(5), 784-785.

  11. Increased Earthquake Activity • Fracking increases seismic movement • “micro-earthquake” • Generally small with no damage • Only 3% of wells were monitored in 2009 • Public concerned about lack of monitoring Zoback, M. Kitasei, S. & Copithorne, B. (2010). Addressing the environmental risk from shale gas development. World Watch Institute. Briefing paper 1.

  12. Decreased Land Value • Damaged roads • Due to heavy equipment • Unsatisfactory appearance • Wells • Gas facilities • Inability to sell land Kirker, K. A. & Burger, R. N. (2011). Just the fracking facts. University of Pittsburg Eleventh Annual Freshman Conference.

  13. Conclusion • The use of Natural Gas has: • Lowered energy prices • Decreased carbon dioxide discharge • Decreased US dependency on oil and coal • The fracking process: • Unknown health hazards • Unknown environmental hazards Zoback, M. Kitasei, S. & Copithorne, B. (2010). Addressing the environmental risk from shale gas development. World Watch Institute. Briefing paper 1.

  14. References • Arthur, J. D., Bohm, B., Coughlin, B. J., & Layne, M. (2008). Hydraulic fracturing considerations for natural gas wells of the Fayetteville shale. ALL Consulting. 1-19. • Finkel, M. L. & Law, A. (2011). The rush to drill for natural gas: A public health cautionary tale. American Journal of Public Health . 101(5), 784-785. • Kirker, K. A. & Burger, R. N. (2011). Just the fracking facts. University of Pittsburg Eleventh Annual Freshman Conference. • US Environmental Protection Agency. (2010). Science in action: : Building a scientific foundation for sound environmental decisions. Fact Sheet retrieved from www.eps.gov/ord • Zoback, M. Kitasei, S. & Copithorne, B. (2010). Addressing the environmental risk from shale gas development. World Watch Institute. Briefing paper 1.

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