Critical Analysis of Fracking - 1054 Words

Section I – Critical Analysis Problem The United States is facing an energy crisis. Dependence on foreign oil has led to geopolitical conflict, and global fossil fuel consumption is damaging the environment at an alarming rate. Add to this an exploding world population, and it is clear that the US needs to find an alternative source of energy. Question Can the natural gas deposits in the Marcellus Formation, extracted through fracking, be the solution to the United States’ energy problem? Purpose The purpose of this analysis is to examine the process of extracting natural gas in shale deposits—Horizontal High Volume Slickwater Hydraulic Fracturing, or â€Å"Fracking†Ã¢â‚¬â€and determine the long-term viability of this process.†¦show more content†¦The pressurized mixture causes the shale to crack, releasing natural gas and allowing it to flow up the well. It just so happens that Mount Pleasant, PA sits right on top of one of the richest regions of natural gas shale in the world: The Marcellus Formation. Scientists have known about the Marcellus Formation for decades. But it wasn’t until 2008, that Terry Engelder—Penn State University Professor of Geology—discovered the Marcellus Formation contains enough natural gas to supply the US for the next 14 years! Upon learning of the discovery, government and industry officials alike praised fracking as a â€Å"silver bullet† for America’s energy woes. Less than a year later, Range Resources began their fracking operation in Mount Pleasant. Companies like Range Resources have set up hundreds of fracking wells in towns like Mount Pleasant, PA. And business is booming. A study released by Penn State showed that during 2010, Pennsylvania natural gas development generated $11.2 Billion in regional GDP, and supported nearly 140,000 jobs. The same study predicted that by 2020, those numbers would almost double.5 But, many argue that fracking causes more harm than good. In March, 2011, three professors from Cornell University released a study examining the environmental impacts of fracking. Their analysis showed that natural gas extractionShow MoreRelatedCritical Analysis On Fracking And Fracking Essay1790 Words   |  8 Pages Critical Analysis for Fracking Throughout the last six or five years, America was introduced to a new invention called Fracking, which is to help access oil and gas through a technical machine. Due to some concerns, it has been difficult to have a median between its risks and benefits. Those who oppose it are concerned with what will happen to the environment and if their fresh water can be at risk for contamination. Those who are for fracking probably are not too concerned for the environmentRead MoreCritical Analysis On Fracking And Fracking1907 Words   |  8 PagesCritical Analysis for Fracking Recently, America was introduced to a new invention called fracking, which makes it conveniently possible to access oil and gas. The fracking process consists of using a technical machine that digs through the surface of the earth and inserts large amounts of water with mixed chemicals to rapidly attain large amounts of oil and gas. However, it has been difficult for people to reach a median between its risks and benefits. Those who refuse fracking are concerned thatRead MoreEssay Hydraulic Fracturing Must be Reformed1457 Words   |  6 Pagesmore critical than ever. In 2011, the United States used 18.83 million barrels of raw oil daily, and in 2010 19.18 million barrels of petroleum products and biofuels. In 2010 and 2011, that was nearly 22% of the world’s oil supply. (U.S Department of Energy) Previously inaccessible areas in the Marcellus Shale region of the United States, stretching from West Virginia to New York, are being unearthed by a controversial method of extracting natural gas, called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. ARead MoreEssay on Hydraulic Fracturing761 Words   |  4 Pagesunderway in the United States., in Europe and in South America. (25-50 words).3 â€Å"Hydraulic fracturing (also known as hydrofracking, fracking, fracing, or fraccing) is a water-intensive industrial process that drillers use to collect the natural gas held in shale formations. Shale gas has become an increasingly important energy resource in the U.S. Fracking fluid contains water, salt, sand, and hazardous industrial chemicals. This fluid is injected at high pressure underground into geologicRead MoreThe Crisis Of The Fukushima Nuclear Plant After An Earthquake1566 Words   |  7 Pagesunderstand what hydraulic fracturing is or how it works. â€Å"Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, forces natural gas and crude oil out of shale buried deep below the earth by using highly pressurized and treated water.† (â€Å"Fracking: How It Works, Where It’s Done†) The blasting of the shale of the water releases natural gas, which is collected, liquefied, and used as energy to power our lives. The approach makes fracking an economical choice, b ut the effects on the environment are devastating. Air pollutionRead MoreFracking : A Reliable Energy Solution1386 Words   |  6 Pagesused hydraulic fracturing also known as fracking to extract oil and gas from the earth. Most people believe fracking is a new process but it has been around for over 100 years. Modern day fracking began in the 1990’s when George P Mitchell created a new technique by combining fracking with horizontal drilling. Since then, U.S. oil and gas production has skyrocketed. But the â€Å"new† perception of fracking leads people to incorrectly believe that fracking is temporary and that it somehow harms theRead MoreSources Of Oil And Gas Essay1486 Words   |  6 Pagesin India. MS project software has been used to carefully manage and keep a track of activities in the given timeline. Application of PERT and CPM has helped to identify the critical path for the project. Once the critical events are known then a close monitoring is required for efficient project management. By making an analysis of PERT and CPM various suggestions on the existing plan are provided that may be hindrance in project execution and a corresponding solution is identified for smooth movementRead MoreThe Case of the Wayward Water: Drinking Water Getting Tainted with Fracking Fluid1445 Words   |  6 Pagescontroversial procedure called fracking. As reports of drinking water becoming tainted with fracking fluid flood the news, both oil and gas companies as well as environmental groups are presenting competing facts about the effects of drilling on ground water. Economists are often asked to prepare reports with objective analyses balancing the cost and potential damage to the water sources against economic benefits to the local and national communities. These requests for analysis can provide interestingRead MoreHydraulic Fracturing : A Common And Widespread Technique1637 Words   |  7 Pagesreservoirs. 2. Fracturing Fracturing can be defined in a different number of ways. 2.1. What is Fracturing? Hydraulic fracturing (also hydrofracturing, hydrofracking, fracking, or fraccing) is a well-stimulation technique in which rock is fractured by a pressurized liquid. The process involves the high-pressure injection of fracking fluid (primarily water, containing sand or other proppants suspended with the aid of thickening agents) into a wellbore to create cracks in the deep-rock formationsRead MoreSwot Analysis : A Swot1735 Words   |  7 PagesImportance of SWOT Analysis A SWOT Analysis is a carefully planned method of analysis that seeks to discover the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats or challenges to, typically, a project, non-profit, business venture, or public organization. This analysis can also help illuminate the external and internal environment realities in which the organization lives. A SWOT Analysis is critical because its purpose is to align these SWOTS with the organization’s long-term strategies, short-term