Critical Analysis of Fracking
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 “Fracking”—and determine the long-term viability of this process.
Information
• The Marcellus Formation is a region of marine sedimentary rock that stretches through Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey, and into parts of Canada.
• Fracking is a process by which millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals are injected at high pressure down and across into horizontally drilled wells. The pressurized mixture causes the shale to crack, releasing methane gas.
• Scientists believe that there is enough natural gas in the Marcellus Formation to meet the United States’ energy needs for the next 14 years.
• Economic data from sites in Pennsylvania suggests that fracking effectively creates jobs and benefits local economies.
• Scientists at Cornell University published a study which concluded that fracking was roughly twice as damaging to the environment as coal.
Assumptions
• The major assumption surrounding fracking is that a substantial amount of the gas in the Marcellus Formation can be extracted. The reality is, recovery rates vary widely by well.
• There is a great amount of academic research done on the subject of fracking. A major assumption to this research is that it is unbiased. Educational institutions are believed to be impartial, but that is not always the
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 “Fracking”—and determine the long-term viability of this process.
Information
• The Marcellus Formation is a region of marine sedimentary rock that stretches through Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey, and into parts of Canada.
• Fracking is a process by which millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals are injected at high pressure down and across into horizontally drilled wells. The pressurized mixture causes the shale to crack, releasing methane gas.
• Scientists believe that there is enough natural gas in the Marcellus Formation to meet the United States’ energy needs for the next 14 years.
• Economic data from sites in Pennsylvania suggests that fracking effectively creates jobs and benefits local economies.
• Scientists at Cornell University published a study which concluded that fracking was roughly twice as damaging to the environment as coal.
Assumptions
• The major assumption surrounding fracking is that a substantial amount of the gas in the Marcellus Formation can be extracted. The reality is, recovery rates vary widely by well.
• There is a great amount of academic research done on the subject of fracking. A major assumption to this research is that it is unbiased. Educational institutions are believed to be impartial, but that is not always the