Drilling of the Natural Gas - Article Example

The Fracking Process The Fracking Process A process is majorly in the United s of America whereby million of gallons of chemicals and water and sand are pumped at a very high pressure into wells that are horizontally drilled. The wells are at about 10,000 feet below the surface. The mixture that is pressurized makes the Marcellus Shale rock layer to fracture forming fissures. The fissures are then held open by the particles of sand to allow natural gas to flow up the well (Ralph, 2014). Marcellus Shale Coalition (Ralph, 2014). The steps of fracking can be below; A well is vertical to the desired depth, it is then turned ninety degrees and continues horizontally for many thousand feet into the shale that is believed to have the natural gas that is trapped. A mix of various chemicals, sand, and water is pumped into the well at a very high pressure so as to create fissures in the shale through which the gas can escape. The natural gas escapes through the fissures and is drawn back up the well up to the top surface, where it is refined, manufactured, and shipped to the market. Water that is the waste then returns to the surface after the process of fracking is completed. The water could be contained in steel tanks until it can be stored long-term by deep injection in gas and oil waste wells (Ralph, 2014). The Fracking process (Ralph, 2014). Benefits In the year 2008, the price of the gas was double as compared to the year 2011. The minimized cost of the oil and gas has contributed to an improvement of the economy of the United States because of affordability. The prices of natural gas are falling since the year 2011 thus increasing the potential benefits. Also burning of the natural gas in the eastern, United States to produce electricity has been discovered to be cheaper than the use of coal. It helps to save billions of dollars of the country that is in the mining of coal. Drilling of the natural gas has also led to the creation of thousands of jobs thus contributing indirectly to the growth of the economy. The increased supply of the gas reduces air pollution in cities of the United States. When the natural gas replaces coal, there will be benefits to air quality that include lower emissions of sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and mercury. The process also has a direct effect on the balance of trade. The increase in the extraction of natural gas has affected directly the energy trade balance between United States of America and other countries. The imports of natural gas decreased by 25 percent between 2007 and 2011 during the imports of petroleum also dropped from 29.248 quadrillions Btu in 2005 to 24.740 in 2011. The energy information Administration predicted that by 2020, the Unites States would be a net exporter of natural gas. The more gas reserves are and tapped, and the date may be pushed earlier (Southard, 2013). Disadvantages While the natural gas is an alternative form of energy, it also has harmful environmental implications, influencing earthquakes and local air pollution. In addition, the process of fracking requires a lot of water than the drilling of conventional gas. In addition, those people who live near the fractured wells are at a significant risk of health threats considering the increased amount of organic compounds that are volatile and air toxins in the area. In addition, previous research has proven that 10 to 40% of the chemical mixture injected in the ground during fracking will flow back to the surface during the well development (Southard, 2013). The table below summarizes the Pros and cons of the process of Fracking Pros Cons The minimized cost of the oil and gas has contributed to improvement of the economy of the United States because of affordability. It has harmful environmental implications, influencing earthquakes and local air pollution. Burning of the natural gas in the eastern united States to produce electricity has been discovered to be cheaper than the use of coal thus saving the billions of dollars of the country that is utilized in the mining of coal. The process of fracking requires a lot of water than the drilling of conventional gas. Drilling of the natural gas has also led to the creation of thousands of jobs thus contributing indirectly to the growth of the economy. Those people who live near the fractured wells are at a significant risk of health threats considering the increased amount of organic compounds that are volatile and air toxins in the area. When the natural gas replaces coal, there will be benefits to air quality which include lower emissions of sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and mercury. 10 to 40% of the chemical mixture injected into the ground during fracking will flow back to the surface during the well development. (Southard, 2013). Natural Gas and Oil as a Source of Energy Hydraulic fracturing has enabled the production of petroleum and natural gas liquids from the wells and pumped into a refinery industry where it goes through a number of processes to remove impurities. The oil is in industrial machines, vehicles, and lighting. The natural gas is in the production of electricity and cooking. Some of the impacts of hydraulic fracturing that are short term include; some communities can predict a short-term economic boom. In addition, those regions that have encouraged extraction experience a relatively high unemployment and poverty for a short time (Bamberger, 2014). Impact on Environment a). Air quality There is the degradation of air quality around the sites with high levels of benzene being recorded, and the gasses are volatile originating from chemical spills, leaking pipe compressors and separators. In the case of exposure or chronic inhalation to methanol, may result in insomnia and headache. The gasses may lead to deposition of the ozone layer and acid rain and eventually death. It also has negative environmental implications, influencing the local air pollution. It also has some positive impacts on the environment. Some of the environmental effects include; lower emissions of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and mercury (Films Media Group, 2014). b). Water Contamination Spills from the fracturing chemicals may contaminate the surface as well as groundwater thus making it harmful for domestic use. The process also leads to the disposal of a lot of wastewater. Studies of the fracking waste indicate that the fluids contain; acetic acids, formaldehyde, citric acids and boric acids that are chemical contaminants to water ( Films Media Group, 2014). c). Chemical disposal the wastes from the process contain a high volume of chemicals which pose a primary challenge to the management of waste. The waste is to an offsite well where it goes through a process of treatment. Some of the long-term health problems caused by the process of fracking include; long-term degradation of the economy that indirectly affects the health sector. The other problem is the consequences that are irreversible in the health of people such as children who are with soft bones and the discoloring of teeth due to fluoride and in some cases, it leads to death. Methane can leak from the damaged casings, well heads or may be during some phases of a fracking process. The leaks have a negative impact on the environment. Also, 10 to 40 percent of the chemical mixture injected into the ground during fracking flows back to the surface during the well development. In addition, tracking is done in areas that have high deposits of oil which were formed for an extended period of decomposition of the organic materials. It is where its impact will not harm the people who live around (Ralph, 2014). References Bamberger, M., & Oswald, R. (2014).The Real Cost of Fracking: How Americas Shale Gas Boom is Threatening Our Families, Pets, and Food. Films Media Group. (2014). No Fracking Way: The Natural Gas Boom Is Doing More Harm than Good a Debate. Ralph, P. (2012). Dirty Fracking Business. Melbourne, Vic: Melbourne Books. Southard, M., &AmbarBasu, (2013).Fracking Teco: Analyzing the Communication Strategies in Teco Peoples Gas Advertisements. Read More