Hydraulic fracturing involves extracting natural gas and crude from underground shale formations. A vertical well is drilled vertically underground 7000 feet deep and then turned horizontally into a gas and oil-bearing layer. That is followed by injecting vast quantities of chemicals, water, and sand under high pressure to break up the shale to release hydrocarbons that are brought back to the ground. The companies involved in oil and gas extraction are responsible for adopting new technologies and methods that can help reduce the environmental impacts associated with these extraction activities. Therefore, this paper will address some of the questions highlighted in the case study.
The first type of pollution in fracking is air pollution around the drilling sites. In various fracking stages, methane is released into the environment, contributing to climate change (Soeder 85). The second is water pollution, whereby hydraulic fracturing requires large amounts of water. Water pollution has led to a reduction in the water supply available for irrigation and drinking. Another type of pollution is radioactive contamination. The fracking process involves the injection of chemicals underground, which are toxins (Murtazashvili 146). The fluid that returns to the surface gets contamination by radioactive substances, heavy metals, and volatile compounds from deep underground. The flowback, if not correctly disposed off, will lead to contamination of rivers, land, and well and even causes earthquakes in quiescent areas such as Kansas and Oklahoma. Additionally, noise pollution is associated with trucks and heavy equipment. During the drilling of the wells, the machines being used to make much noise in the nearby neighborhood.
The first regulation used by the government is strict monitoring of the quality of underground water and air near wells. In California, fracking was allowed but required strict monitoring that would safeguard the surrounding underground air and water from contamination and pollution from the wells. Those measures were to ensure that the people living near those wells could access enough water, water, and air that was safe for their daily use. Also, other states such as New York, Maryland, and Vermont banned fracking. According to Lonnquist et al. (p. 338), the government found that the extraction of these mines posed significant risks. Additionally, the government set regulations requiring companies to disclose chemicals used. It also set harsh rules to follow in storing and disposing of wastewater.
In my opinion, the most effective government regulation is setting strict measures in place to safeguard the contamination of nearby underground water and pollution from the well. The extraction of crude oil and gas will not stop; however, the government is responsible for setting laws and ensuring all the companies involved abide by those regulations to minimize pollution and contamination of the surrounding environment. Those regulations will help safeguard the health and lives of those living in the surrounding areas (Pearson 411). Thus, this prevents climate change and ensures that people’s daily lives continue as usual.
One of the benefits to companies is the extraction of oil and gas with less environmental damage. The new technology helped these companies to reduce on-site emissions. Halliburton invented storage silos that were powered by solar (Lawrence and Weber 235). The invention helps to reduce the use of water and chemicals in extracting crude oil and gas from underground, thus reducing on-site emissions. Secondly, the adoption of infrared cameras could help companies to detect the emission of methane in real time. These cameras will detect any leakage or emissions of methane gas that can affect the surrounding environment on time before it causes severe pollution. Additionally, new fracking methods will help companies avoid waste of water. They will be able to treat the wastewater and reuse it on-site. Treating wastewater will reduce the cost incurred in acquiring billions of water gallons needed to extract oils and gas. Finally, is the adoption of waterless methods of fracking. New technology has been developed that does not require water use during hydraulic fracturing. The technology will enable companies to reduce associated with acquiring water (Fu et al. 218). Thus, making it available and enough for people’s drinking and irrigation purposes.
The first factor is the cost involved in the process of fracking. The company will employ the fracking method, which is less expensive. The main objective of any company is to maximize profits and reduce costs. Even if the fracking method adopted by the company is not environmentally friendly, as long as it is cheap and leads to high returns, the company will use it (Lawrence and Weber 235). Also, are restrictions and laws that are available. Every state has unique laws and regulations that guide the extraction of oils and gas. For instance, if the government develops laws restricting the company from using a particular fracking method, it will follow those recommendations to the latter (Ba Geri et al., n.p). Therefore, government laws and rules will largely influence the method of fracking since the company is guided by those laws.
In conclusion, in the United States hydraulic fracturing has grown rapidly. United States has become the leading producer of natural gas and oil overtaking Russia and Saudia Arabia respectively. The fracking has led to creation of employment opportunities, tax revenues thus improving the economy. However, the extraction of natural gas and oil has environmental risks such as air, water, and noise pollution and radioactive contamination. Strict regulations have been set by the government to control and monitor the extraction activities of oil and gas. Those regulations will help to oil and gas extraction companies to adopt technologies with less environmental damage
Works Cited
Ba Geri, Mohammed, Abdulmohsin Imqam, and Ralph Flori. “A critical review of using high viscosity friction reducers as fracturing fluids for hydraulic fracturing applications.” SPE Oklahoma City oil and gas symposium. OnePetro, 2019.
Fu, Chunkai, and Ning Liu. “Waterless fluids in hydraulic fracturing–A review.” Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering 67 (2019): 214-224.
Lawrence A &Weber J. “Business and society: Stakeholders, ethics, public policy” (16th ed.). McGraw-Hill. Print ISBN: 978-1260043662 eText ISBN: 978–1260140545, 2020.
Lonnquist, Sean, and Deborah Gallagher. “Use of Fracking Information Disclosure Policies to Reduce Uncertainty in Risk‐Based Decisions.” Review of Policy Research 38.3 2021: 326–346.
Murtazashvili, Ilia. “The Fracking Debate: The Risks, Benefits, and Uncertainties of the Shale Revolution.” 2020: 145–148.
Pearson, John. “Corporate social responsibility, hydraulic fracturing, and unregulated space: recognizing responsibility without the law.” International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics 14.4 2020: 406–418.
Soeder, Daniel J. “Fracking and Air Quality.” Fracking and the Environment. Springer, Cham, 2021. 79–92.
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