Hydraulic Fracking Research Paper
In 2015 the United States produced over US over 7.66 billion cubic meters of natural gas in 2015 (cia1). This natural gas was the largest source of electric energy in the country (eia1). The US energy information administration currently estimates that two thirds of this natural gas was extracted from the ground using a process known as hydraulically fractured. This is when hydraulic fluid is injected under high pressures into wells deep underground in order to cause the underground rock formations to fracture and release natural gas deposits.
The process of hydraulic hydraulic fracturing has been used to extract natural gas since the 1940 advancement in technology has allowed it to become much more effective and profitable. This advancement …show more content…
Evidence and arguments in support of thesis
Some of the primary evidence to support my thesis will be to give examples of equipment failure that has lead to spills during hydraulic fracking. Hear I will show evidence that equipment failure is one of the leading causes of spills. I will show that future spills can be greatly reduced with strict regulations on what equipment is used. This will show that spills are not necessarily inherent to the fracking process, but is the result of bad regulations regarding equipment. Evidence to support this argument will come mainly from Gagnon G. (2016) and Patterson, L. A. (2017), and U.S. EPA. (2015).
The next argument I will discuss will be wastewater disposal procedures. Here I will discuss what chemicals are used during hydraulic fracking and the potential dangers of wastewater disposal. I will discuss wastewater storage, transportation, and disposal methods. I will compare wastewater treatment, reuse, spreading, and class 2 wells. I will provide evidence that suggests wastewater disposal is the leading cause of spills and I will show that there is a lack of regulation regarding how wastewater is manage. I will argue that stricter regulations will minimize the risks associated with wastewater. Here I will use examples from Johnson W, Douglas. (2017) and Orem, W. (2017). Additional information will also come from Gagnon G. (2016), U.S. EPA. (2015), and U.S. EPA.
The process of hydraulic hydraulic fracturing has been used to extract natural gas since the 1940 advancement in technology has allowed it to become much more effective and profitable. This advancement …show more content…
Evidence and arguments in support of thesis
Some of the primary evidence to support my thesis will be to give examples of equipment failure that has lead to spills during hydraulic fracking. Hear I will show evidence that equipment failure is one of the leading causes of spills. I will show that future spills can be greatly reduced with strict regulations on what equipment is used. This will show that spills are not necessarily inherent to the fracking process, but is the result of bad regulations regarding equipment. Evidence to support this argument will come mainly from Gagnon G. (2016) and Patterson, L. A. (2017), and U.S. EPA. (2015).
The next argument I will discuss will be wastewater disposal procedures. Here I will discuss what chemicals are used during hydraulic fracking and the potential dangers of wastewater disposal. I will discuss wastewater storage, transportation, and disposal methods. I will compare wastewater treatment, reuse, spreading, and class 2 wells. I will provide evidence that suggests wastewater disposal is the leading cause of spills and I will show that there is a lack of regulation regarding how wastewater is manage. I will argue that stricter regulations will minimize the risks associated with wastewater. Here I will use examples from Johnson W, Douglas. (2017) and Orem, W. (2017). Additional information will also come from Gagnon G. (2016), U.S. EPA. (2015), and U.S. EPA.