Hydraulic Fracturing

The Basics

Hydraulic fracturing opens narrow cracks in rock layers in order to allow oil, gas, or water to flow through the rock. During hydraulic fracturing, pressurized fluid is injected through a well into a subsurface rock layer in order to open the fractures. Hydraulic fracturing requires large volumes of water mixed with chemicals and proppants (often sand, used to “prop” open the fractures). These fluids must be recycled or disposed of in deep wells, separate from local water tables.^[1]

Why does hydraulic fracturing matter?

In combination with horizontal drilling and other technological advances, hydraulic fracturing has allowed for the extraction of large, previously inaccessible reserves of gas (such as shale gas and tight gas) and oil in the United States. While the technique has been used for more than 60 years, its wider application with horizontal drilling since the mid 2000s has led to public debate over its benefits and risks.

How does geoscience help inform decisions about the use of hydraulic fracturing in energy development?

Geoscientists identify energy resources (such as shale gas, tight gas, and tight oil) that can be extracted using the combination of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Others study the environmental impacts of the entire oil and gas extraction process, from well drilling to hydraulic fracturing to the disposal of waste waters.

References

¹ Hydraulic Fracturing, Frac Focus, https://www.fracfocus.org/learn/hydraulic-fracturing

Learn More

Introductory Resources

• Critical Issue: Hydraulic Fracturing, Geological Society of America
  This peer-reviewed report provides a thoroughly researched overview of hydraulic fracturing. Defines hydraulic fracturing, discusses its role in energy development, and addresses potential environmental issues associated with the use of the technology.

Resources for Educators

• Education GeoSource Network (EGS), AGI
  Search for hydraulic fracturing resources related to professional resources, curricula & instruction, teaching media, outreach programs, and other EGS collections.

• NGSS Performance Expectations, Next Generation Science Standards
  K-ESS3-1, 4-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-1, HS-ESS3-1, HS-ESS3-2

• NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas, Next Generation Science Standards
  ESS3.A

Coal

Coal is a carbon-rich rock formed from plants that grew millions of years ago. Coal is a major source of electricity in the United States and the largest source of energy for electricity generation worldwide.

Energy

All of the energy we use comes from the Earth, its atmosphere, or the Sun. Some resources are mined or extracted, like coal, uranium, oil, and gas. Others, like wind, solar, tidal, biomass, and hydropower resources, are harnessed at the Earth’s surface. Geoscientists play an essential role in developing energy resources and evaluating their environmental impacts.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is harvested by drilling into underground reservoirs of steam or water heated by the Earth. While western states like California and Nevada lead the country in geothermal energy production, emerging technologies may make it possible to extract geothermal energy throughout the United States.

Hydropower

Hydropower uses the energy from moving water to power machines or generate electricity. Used for over two thousand years in water mills, today hydropower is more commonly associated with electricity generation.

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is produced from fission, which splits the large atoms of heavy elements like uranium into smaller atoms, releasing enormous amounts of energy. Thirty U.S. states have nuclear power plants, and nuclear energy makes up around 20% of the U.S. electricity supply.

Oil and Gas

Petroleum (“oil”) and natural gas are hydrocarbons that formed over millions of years under heat and pressure deep in the Earth. Petroleum and natural gas are the largest sources of energy in the United States.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy comes from sources that are constantly replenished, like running water, the heat of the Earth, the Sun’s light, or wind. Renewables account for around 11% of U.S. energy consumption and 17% of electricity production.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is energy from the Sun, which can be harnessed in several ways. Solar panels use the photovoltaic effect to generate electricity directly from sunlight. The Sun’s heat can be used directly to heat water or air, or it can be concentrated to boil water, driving steam turbines that generate electricity.

Wind Energy

Wind energy is harnessed by wind turbines, which convert the energy of the wind into electricity. Wind energy is one of the largest sources of renewable energy. Wind farms can now be found in more than 40 states.