Fracking
Fracking
It poisons our water, contaminates our air and emits massive greenhouse gas pollution. More ...
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a technique for recovering gas and oil from shale rock. It involves drilling into the earth and directing a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals at a rock layer, to release the gas inside.
It is expensive and complex and commercially marginal as most of the easy gas has been found and burnt.
Primarily, burning fracked gas will make the planet hotter by contributing to greenhouse gases.
The extraction process is energy intensive usually requires burning more fossil fuels.
Often large amounts of water are required.
The drilling process needs to be repeated hence the landscape is peppered with drilling.
And there are problems. Ground water is easily contaminated. There is usually methane leakage, another serious green house gas. Small earthquakes have been reported in Blackpool, UK, the Netherlands and Oklahoma, US.
Environment Centre of Northern Territory Video: fracking in the NT information briefing (6/2023)
Vox: Fracking, explained (30/7/2015)
Water Contamination
NT Geologist: Fracking can contaminate groundwater (12/12/2023) This is an experienced geologist will massive experience in the field telling what really happens.
Scientific American: Fracking Can Contaminate Drinking Water (4/4/2016)
Southern Environmental Law Center: EPA study shows fracking pollutes drinking water (22/12/2016)
Global Energy Monitor Wiki: Fracking and water pollution (2013-2021) Section on Groundwater contamination is alarming
Methane Leakage
Google:- Fracking releases large amounts of methane, a dangerously potent greenhouse gas. Fracked shale gas wells, for example, may have methane leakage rates as high as 7.9 percent, which would make such natural gas worse for the climate than coal.
Guardian: Fracking causing rise in methane emissions, study finds (15/8/2019)
Earthquakes
The Conversation: Fracking can cause earthquakes tens of kilometres away – new research (8/5/2019)
Water Usage
USGS:How much water does the typical hydraulically fractured well require?
Reports
NTG: Pepper Inquiry - Summary & Detail (27/3/2018) Jump to Conclusion of Summary and question whether NTG and the Frackers are complying?