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Fracking is short for 'hydraulic fracturing,' a term used to describe the process of pumping millions of gallons of pressurized water, sand and chemicals down a newly drilled well to blast out the surrounding shale rock and gas.
It's a relatively new technique that's made shale gas more popular in recent years. For a long time, shale gas — a natural gas that's embedded in ancient rocks known as shale — was deemed as being not worth the trouble by drilling companies because it was so difficult to recover. The gas is embedded in rocks and the best way to get it out is to drill in sideways, which only became possible in the 1980s and 1990s as the gas industry improved its directional drilling technology. Later, technological advances that let drillers use more water pressure made fracking into an economically viable option for obtaining shale gas from the rocks.
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Shale is scattered throughout the United States. The two hottest shale sites in America right now are the Barnett Shale in Texas and the Marcellus shale, which is buried beneath seven states and part of Lake Erie. Other large shale deposits are located in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Wyoming.
Despite its potential, though, a movement has welled up lately to block the shale gas boom. Some critics say embracing natural gas so heartily will slow the rise of renewable energy, but the biggest beef with shale isn't as much about its gas — it's about how we get it out of the ground. Shale gas would likely still be a novelty fuel without modern advances in hydraulic fracturing, yet the need for fracking is also starting to seem like it could be shale's fatal flaw. The practice has sparked major environmental and public heath concerns near U.S. gas fields, from diesel fuel and unidentified chemicals in groundwater to methane seeping out of sink faucets and even blowing up houses.
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France to ban all oil and gas production by 2040
December 22, 2017, 9:15 a.m. by Noel Kirkpatrick
France imports much of its oil, making the ban mostly symbolic, but it also leaves untouched 222 million barrels of oil in the Paris Basin.
North Dakota town is most pricey place in America to rent an apartment
February 19, 2014, 6:34 p.m. by Matt Hickman
New York has the nightlife, San Francisco has the gorgeous scenery and Williston has, well, a handful of stoplights. So why then does this North Dakota outpost also have the highest rents for a one-bedroom apartment in the entire country?
Gas-injection wells triggered earthquakes in Texas
November 7, 2013, 2:19 p.m. by Becky Oskin, LiveScience
The use of CO2 injections in oil drilling is triggering earthquakes, but similar amounts of CO2 are only causing quakes in certain areas.
Alec Baldwin brings fracking debate to new talk show
October 25, 2013, 2:42 p.m. by Michael d'Estries
Actress and activist Debra Winger explains to Baldwin why she decided to join the fight against the natural gas industry's controversial drilling techniques.
What lies beneath: Is the ground underneath your home ripe for fracking?
October 15, 2013, 7:14 p.m. by Matt Hickman
Buyer beware: Reuters investigates the growing trend of builders and developers keeping hush about the severing of mineral rights attached to newly built homes.
How much methane leaks out during fracking?
September 20, 2013, 10:55 a.m. by John Platt
A new study claims leaks of the greenhouse gas aren't as numerous as estimated, at least during one part of the process.
Fracking to blame for Ohio earthquakes
September 4, 2013, 12:29 p.m. by Charles Q. Choi, LiveScience
The Youngstown quakes were triggered by wastewater injection, scientists have discovered.
Shh! Settlement bans two kids from talking about fracking – for life
August 7, 2013, 11:39 a.m. by John Platt
The unusual gag order case affects two Pennsylvania children, ages 7 and 10.
How earthquakes in Japan trigger quakes at U.S. fracking sites
July 12, 2013, 10:10 a.m. by Becky Oskin, LiveScience's OurAmazingPlanet
The injected ground fluids increase pressure on a fault's surface, unclamping the fault and making it easier to slip to cause a quake.
'Gasland II' sequel tells fracking's next chapter
July 8, 2013, 2:34 p.m. by John Platt
Director Josh Fox accuses the energy industry and politicians of failing the American people.
Methane, ethane and propane found in drinking water near fracking sites
June 25, 2013, 1:51 p.m. by John Platt
A new study finds that drinking water quality near Marcellus shale gas extraction sites could be compromised.
Fracking companies are exploiting the Amish, say reports
The Amish religion forbids lawsuits, locking families into deals that are often not in their favor.
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