Hydrofracking: What Everyone Needs to Know is a concise, well-informed primer on one of the most promising yet controversial methods of accessing natural gas and oil. Exploring the promises and pitfalls of fracking, Alex Prud'homme offers an even-handed introduction for an interested general reader.

"Read about the way hydraulic fracturing, or "hydrofracking," is used to harvest natural gas and learn how it has shaped our nation today"--P. [4] of cover.

There is a strong need for innovation and the development of viable renewable energy sources. Recent technological advances now allow natural gas supplies—previously believed inaccessible or nonexistent—to be discovered, mined, and processed for both industrial and consumer use. The technology, a controversial process that is alternatively called hydraulic fracturing, fracking, fracing, or hydrofracking, has greatly expanded natural gas production in the United States. Presenting a balanced discussion, Environmental Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing is a comprehensive guide to all aspects of hydraulic fracturing used to extract natural gas, along with gas exploration and production in various shale fields. As the use of hydraulic fracturing has grown, concerns about its environmental and public health impacts have also increased—one of the most significant concerns being the fluids that are injected into rock formations to cause the fracturing contain potentially hazardous chemical additives. The book covers all facets of the issue, including ongoing controversies about the environmental and operator safety issues arising from possible water pollution, drinking water contamination, on-the-job safety hazards, and harmful chemical exposure to workers and residents near well areas. The author discusses both the pros and cons of hydraulic fracturing, explaining the process in great detail. He describes the benefits of hydraulic fracturing and its importance in making the United States energy independent by drilling for its own resources, as well as the potential impacts to the surrounding environment. The text also includes suggestions and recommendations on how to mitigate environmental damage. Arguably the first book of its kind, this is the go-to text on the use and impacts of hydraulic fracturing.

--70% more content than first edition --updated t0 2014 --30 photos and graphics In his most powerful investigation to date, award-winning journalist Walter M. Brasch digs into the natural gas industry and extracts the truth about fracking. This is the long-awaited second edition to the critically-acclaimed first edition that explored all aspects of the controversies surrounding fracking. Hydraulic horizontal fracturing, better known as fracking, is the process of injecting as much as seven million gallons of water, proppants (like silica sand), and toxins into the earth to fracture the shale and extract methane. Politicians want natural gas drillers to come into their states, primarily because of the numbers of well-paying jobs the industry creates, the overall economic benefits, and the lower costs of natural gas to the consumer. Dr. Brasch investigates those claims, and provides an extensive look at the money trail between the industry and the politicians' campaign receipts. Combining both scientific evidence and extensive interviews with those affected by fracking throughout the country, he concludes that errors made by the natural gas industry as well as the process itself have caused significant public health and the environmental problems that also affect agriculture, wildlife, and livestock.

Hydraulic Fracturing is a unique oil and gas reservoir stimulation technique that has positioned itself as the industry’s choice for developing Tight/Shale Oil and Gas fields. Together with horizontal well, this technology unlocks impervious shale rocks - releasing crude oil and natural gas that otherwise would not have been possible by using conventional exploration and production methods. This detailed 2nd Edition has many illustrations, giving readers solid foundation in the procedures, issues, benefits, and reverse benefits associated with current shale reservoir development using Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking). Book contents, among others, include a concise explanation on: * Natural Gas/crude oil (Conventional and Unconventional) * Formation Preparation for Hydraulic Fracturing * Well Drilling Process * Well Completion Process (Perforation) * Horizontal Well: The Preferred Well Configuration for Fracking * Hydraulic Fracturing – Procedures, etc. * Offshore Fracking: Quietly on the rise * Common Misconception of Fracking Technique * Environmental Concerns of Hydraulic Fracturing * Benefits and reverse benefits of Hydraulic Fracturing * Winners and losers when oil and gas prices fall * Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Hydraulic Fracturing Those who use this book include Technical/Nontechnical persons, students, and all that are following the trend in the global oil and gas industry. Readers are given a good footing on the procedures, issues, and benefits concerning “Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)”.

The use of fracking is a tremendously important technology for the recovery of oil and gas, but the advantages and costs of fracking remain controversial. This book examines the issues and social, economic, political, and legal aspects of fracking in the United States. Hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells—known commonly as "fracking"—has been in use in the United States for more than half a century. In recent years, however, massive expansion of shale gas fracturing across the nation has put fracking in the public eye. Is fracking a "win win" like its proponents say, or are there significant costs and dangers associated with the use of this energy production technology? This book examines fracking from all angles, addressing the promise of the United States becoming energy independent through the use of the process to tap the massive amounts of natural gas and oil available as well as the host of problems associated with fracking—groundwater contamination and increased seismic activity, just to mention two—that raise questions about the long-term feasibility of the process as a source of natural gas. The first part of the book provides a historical background of the topic; a review of technical information about fracking; and a detailed discussion of the social, economic, political, legal, and other aspects of the current fracking controversy. The second part of the book provides a host of resources for readers seeking to learn even more in-depth information about the topic, supplying a chronology, glossary, annotated bibliography, and profiles of important individuals and organizations. Written specifically for students and young adults, the content is accessible to readers with little or no previous knowledge regarding fracking.

This book provides a balanced discussion about the wastewater generated by hydraulic fracturing operations, and how to manage it. It includes an in-depth discussion of the hydraulic fracturing process, the resulting water cycle, and the potential risks to groundwater, soil, and air. The “fracking” process involves numerous chemicals that could potentially harm human health and the environment, especially if they enter and contaminate drinking water supplies. Treatment, reuse, and disposal options are the focus, and several case studies will be presented. The book also discusses the issues of the large amounts of water required for drilling operations, the impacts on water-sensitive regions.