Fracking pros and cons

Introduction

Fracking is a term used for hydraulic fracturing, a procedure where rocks and rock formations are fractured to allow oil and gas to flow out. This is done by injecting fluid into cracks to force them to open further, making it easier to extract oil and gas.

Fracking pros.

1. Access to Alternative Source of Fuel.

The overwhelming supply of oil and gas may seem a negative aspect today, but there will come a time when these resources become scarce again. Through fracking whatever shortage the world will experience will be resolved. Continuous study into the effects of hydraulic fracturing will also lead to more innovative and safer ideas of extracting natural gas. When both traditional oil drilling and fracturing work hand in hand, fuel shortage could be completely avoided.

2. Lower Energy Cost.

With oil and gas produced locally, industries that greatly rely on these fuel resources can become more competitive due to lower energy cost. This is why many believed that fracking has positively transformed the energy situation in the U.S. This can also result in lower taxes, especially when exporting oil is minimized.

3. Buys More Time.

Until renewable energy is fully developed and made accessible to everyone, fracking will buy the world some time to turn such a plan into a reality.

Fracking cons.

1. Possible Water Contamination.

Apart from possible water shortage, hydraulic fracturing is also linked to water pollution. Pro-fracking may say that there is no proof of such occurrence, but this is only because areas suspected of contamination were not thoroughly investigated. The Natural Resource Defense Council, however, were able to provide a list of incidents of water pollution that are caused by fracking, prompting the council to support the federal regulation of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

2. May Trigger Earthquakes.

Processes of fracturing have been linked to several earthquakes in the U.S. and overseas, one of which is in Blackpool. In a report, private company Cuadrilla Resources admitted that two “seismic events” that occurred in Blackpool in early 2011, may have been caused by fracking.

 These measured 2.3 and 1.5 on the Richter scale, respectively.