Regulating Shale Gas and Hydraulic Fracturing

What are shale gas and hydraulic fracturing?

Shale gas is a type of natural gas that is found trapped within shale formations. Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” is a process used to extract this gas from shale. Fracking involves injecting a high-pressure mixture of water, sand, and chemicals into the shale formation to create fractures. These fractures allow the gas to escape from the rock and flow up to the surface.

Fracking has been used for decades in the oil and gas industry, but it has only recently been used to extract gas from shale formations. This is due to advances in technology that have made it possible to access previously inaccessible reserves of shale gas.

While fracking has led to a boom in natural gas production, it has also raised concerns about its impact on the environment. There are worries that fracking can contaminate groundwater supplies and release harmful chemicals into the air. There is also concern that a large amount of water used in fracking could put a strain on local water resources.

The potential impacts of fracking have led many countries to impose moratoriums or bans on the practice.

How does it work?

Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” is a process used to extract natural gas from shale formations deep underground. The process involves injecting a high-pressure mixture of water, sand, and chemicals into the shale to fracture the rock and release the gas trapped inside.

Fracking has been used commercially for over 60 years, but it has become more controversial in recent years as new drilling technologies have allowed energy companies to access previously untapped reserves of natural gas, including those in densely populated areas.

There are concerns that fracking can contaminate drinking water supplies with toxic chemicals and methane, cause small earthquakes, and create large amounts of air pollution.

In response to these concerns, many states have enacted regulations governing the use of fracking. These regulations typically focus on preventing contamination of drinking water supplies and managing the disposal of fracking wastewater.

Safety Concerns and Energy Benefits

The content in this section should provide readers with an understanding of the safety concerns associated with shale gas and hydraulic fracturing, as well as the potential energy benefits of these technologies.

Safety Concerns:

Shale gas and hydraulic fracturing have been associated with several safety concerns. These include water contamination, air pollution, and seismic activity.

Water Contamination:

One of the biggest safety concerns associated with shale gas and hydraulic fracturing is water contamination. The chemicals used in fracking can pollute ground and surface water supplies. There have been many cases where people living near fracking sites have had their water contaminated with methane and other chemicals.

Air Pollution:

Fracking can also release harmful air pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These pollutants can cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory problems, cancer, and birth defects.

Recent Regulations

With the increased exploration and development of shale gas and hydraulic fracturing, state and federal regulations have been put in place to ensure the safety of these operations. Recent regulations include:

n December 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final rule for hydraulic fracturing operations conducted on public lands. The law requires disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluids, prohibits the surface discharge of wastewater from hydraulic fracturing, and sets standards for well design and construction.

In March 2015, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued final regulations for oil and gas development on federal and Indian lands that included requirements for proper disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluids, as well as standards for well design and construction to protect groundwater resources.

In April 2016, the EPA issued its final rule for underground injection control (UIC) wells used in connection with hydraulic fracturing. The rule sets performance-based standards for the design, operation, and maintenance of UIC wells to help ensure that they are properly constructed and operated to prevent contamination of drinking water resources.