- Introduction
It starts with an introduction commenting on the purpose of the research and giving some background to the subject. The introduction states that ‘this study will analyse the potential issues related to fracking and propose a number of mitigation strategies to try to alleviate any potential risk. The report mainly focuses on the geological hazards associated with fracking, from large scale seismic activity to the potential for groundwater contamination and subsurface instability issues.’ Clearly, this first chapter highlights that the report is investigating these geological hazards and how they may impact the environment and the population.
1.1 Background
Firstly, unconventional energy extraction methods, such as hydraulic fracturing or “fracking,” are technologies that are recently being harnessed to extract natural gas and oil. The success of this method in the USA has led to expansion towards implementing fracking for shale gas exploration in Europe, particularly in Great Britain. However, the effects of unconventional extraction of energy have not been widely researched nor understood by not only the general public, but also in scientific research. Specifically, the effect of fracking to induce a geological hazard – an earthquake – is an important research point. Through this project, I wish to increase understanding of the public and stakeholders towards the risks of using fracking as an energy extraction method and move towards creating a comprehensive database for monitoring and mitigating potential hazards induced by fracking. So what is hydraulic fracturing? The basic idea of fracking is to produce cracks within deep geological formations that allow natural gases, such as shale gas, to flow towards the production well when a low viscosity fluid mixed with sand and chemicals is pumped down the well at high pressure. There are two major types of fracking – vertical fracking and directional fracking. In the USA, the combination of fracking and horizontal drilling for shale gas has increased the amount of fossil energy reserves. This gives rise to two benefits from fracking: the potential for cutting energy costs and reduced emissions from coal and oil, which are greater than emissions from gas. However, besides all these potential benefits, a tremendous array of environmental impacts are identified, which range from potential hazard-inducing groundwater pollution, migration of gases and “fracking fluid” to the surface, soil and air contamination, noise pollution, assessment of health impacts, mainly on the respiratory system, and the accumulation of a significant number of ecological and landscape impacts. Such environmental impacts have a direct relevance to geological hazards due to the subsurface effects.
1.2 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this report is to provide a comprehensive study of the various geological hazards that are commonly associated with fracking activities. The study will particularly focus on the risks and hazards posed to the subsurface materials and its structural integrities. Besides that, the report also aims to explore the different types of fracking techniques and explain how the techniques could potentially result in different types of hazards. The environmental impacts and the probability and severity of both the short-term and long-term hazards’ occurrences would be discussed and explained in the report as well. The mitigation strategies utilized in the industry to regulate and control the hazards associated is also one of the focuses of the study. Through this study, it is expected that a clear understanding of the geological hazards associated with fracking can be established and it is hoped that an effective and reliable solution, in terms of both preventative and corrective measures, could be proposed and developed to prevent and control the hazards and the potential risks. Additionally, this report would also be useful to the public as well as the relevant geological authorities to raise the awareness of the potential risks of fracking activities in the development of the unconventional energy. Last but not least, this report serves two main objectives. First, it would provide the audience with a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the hazards and risks of fracking from a geoscientific point of view. This is of great help to the public who have limited understanding about fracking as different negative perceptions of the industry and the policy makers who might have less insights about the hazards associated with the industry. On the second note, the report is also important to the professionals in the industry as it would serve as a recommendation and guidance for the future planning of the fracking activities. It would be helpful for the industry professionals to make references to the advanced mitigation strategies and techniques mentioned in the report and in return, providing them with professional opinions and best practices in implementing the strategies.
- Geological Hazards
2.1 Seismic Activity
2.2 Groundwater Contamination
2.3 Subsurface Instability
- Fracking Techniques
3.1 Hydraulic Fracturing
3.2 Directional Drilling
3.3 Proppant Injection
- Seismic Activity
4.1 Induced Earthquakes
4.2 Magnitude and Frequency
4.3 Seismic Monitoring
- Groundwater Contamination
5.1 Chemical Spills
5.2 Leaking Well Casings
5.3 Migration of Contaminants
- Subsurface Instability
6.1 Subsidence
6.2 Sinkholes
6.3 Land Surface Deformation
- Environmental Impacts
7.1 Air Pollution
7.2 Water Pollution
7.3 Soil Degradation
- Health Risks
8.1 Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
8.2 Respiratory Issues
8.3 Increased Cancer Risk
- Regulatory Measures
9.1 Government Regulations
9.2 Industry Standards
9.3 Monitoring and Enforcement
- Mitigation Strategies
10.1 Improved Well Design
10.2 Proper Waste Management
10.3 Enhanced Monitoring Techniques