The Basics of Fracking

During the elections, the idea of energy independence came up a lot. In fact, there was major emphasis put on our nation's ability to pull fossil fuels from the ground. In particular, there was mention of hydraulic fracking and horizontal drilling. But how many of us could easily explain what that process is, and why it may be a way for the country to have an excess in natural gas?

In this week's Untamed Science video Rob explores the basics of hydraulic fracturing via a Skype call with geologist Dan Bertalan. He explains what they pump into the ground, how it fractures the rock and how that allows natural gas to then come to the surface.

If you want a better explanation of fracking... :

Hydraulic fracturing is the propagation of fractures in a rock layer, as a result of the action of a pressurized fluid. Some hydraulic fractures form naturally—certain veins or dikes are examples—and can create conduits along which gas and petroleum from source rocks may migrate to reservoir rocks. Induced hydraulic fracturing or hydrofracking, commonly known as fraccing or fracking, is a technique used to release petroleum, natural gas (including shale gas, tight gas, and coal seam gas), or other substances for extraction. This type of fracturing creates fractures from a wellbore drilled into reservoir rock formations.

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[robnelsonfilms]

I did bring it up in the full interview, but I had a 3 minute time constraint, so it was difficult to put it in there. It's actually hard to weed through the propaganda on both sides when you talk about that. Search for the youtube video: "Fracking and the Future of Gas: Rob Jackson at TEDxNCSSM." He is a Duke water quality scientist, and presents a very scientific look at the whole thing! Highly recommended Tedx talk.

[FuegoPazzo]

I just saw 'Frackman' on Hulu, about a guy's experience with the petrochemical industry in Australia and how health of ppl are being affected and how the companies are being dishonest, how the beautiful environment is being affected. Well worth a watch and a cautionary tale for areas that are currently fighting the introduction of Fracking - 'Frackman' on Hulu and probably other places too

[paule]

Ya, If you believe that shit, I have some condo's on the moon for sale.

[TheCommunicationCoach]

Where's the facts on what it does to all of the groundwater and all creatures who are unfortunate enough to breathe/drink/touch the volatile and dangerous poisons and pollutants that it produces?