What is fracking ?
Every day we demand more energy.
It's needed to drive our cars, make
electricity and keep the modern world moving.
Our energy comes from either
renewable or unrewable sources.
Power from wind, waves and tides is
ever-lasting. It can produce renewable energy.
Gas, oil and coal will run out. When
they are gone, they're gone. They're unrenewable.
Shale gas is found deep underground
and can be brought to the surface to be used as a fuel.
The gas is called methane and is a
carbon fuel; when it's burned, it releases carbon dioxide into the air. This causes changes in the earth's climate.
Gas is an unrenewable energy source.
Fracking involves drilling 1000 metres
or more down to the rocks which contain the gas.
Fracking means breaking up, or
fracturing, the rocks using small explos-
ions so that the gas can be forced up to
the surface.
Water is then forced down the well. Chemicals and sand are added to the
water to release the gas.
In the U.S. fracking is 99% unregu-
lated. In Britain fracking would be tightly
regulated if it is authorised.
There are fears that even strong
controls may not be enough to prevent
damage to the world we live in.
Surface of the earth
Drilling rig
Vertical bore hole
Horizontal bore holes
Water, sand
& chemicals
forced down
the hole
Small explosions
break up the rock
Gas,water,
sand &
chemicals
forced up to
the surface
Fracking has been widely used for
many years to produce oil. It's now
being used to extract shale gas in
many areas of the world.
It's a highly controversial technology.
Be aware that the debate is sometimes
emotional, exaggerated and unscienti-
fic. We may need to wait for more
research and facts before we can make
up our minds.
Arguments against fracking :
> Shale gas is a 'greenhouse gas'
which releases carbon dioixide into the
air when it's burned.
> This causes changes in the world's
climate.
> The fracking industry in the U.S.A.
uses a large number of chemicals
which can harm the natural world and
the creatures living in it.
> Fracking can cause earth tremors,
though it may be an exaggeration to
talk about 'earthquakes'.
> The waste water, chemicals and sand
brought back to the surface can cause
serious damage to the environment.
Arguments in favour of fracking :
> We urgently need more gas to main-
tain our luxury lifestyles.
> It could be a great benefit to coun-
tries in the developing world.
> Burning natural gas releases less carbon than coal.
> Gas from shale mining may be
cheaper than gas from other sources.
Maurice George 2012
Horizontal bore holes
image/svg+xml
Openclipart
What is fracking ?
2012-05-25T05:09:58
Many people are puzzled by the word 'fracking' so I've tried to explain it in very simple terms, avoiding technical terms and jargon. This is a controversial technology but I've tried hard to present both sides of the picture, without reference to my own personal opinions. The result is a mini-presentation including a graphic and explanatory panels - rather like a poster.
https://openclipart.org/detail/170197/what-is-fracking--by-mauriceg
mauriceg
chemicals
climate
controversy
earth tremor
electricity
energy
environment
fracking
greenhouse gas
pollution
power
science
shale gas