There’s been big publicity over here over protests against hydraulic fracturing for the recovery of shale gas - a member of Parliament has even been arrested over it. I know the subject has been discussed before, but I want to see the general feeling towards the process. In other words, if fracking became a possibility in your area would you oppose it as risky and unnecessary or favour it as a way of stimulating the economy and getting energy? Or has it already begun in your area - how do you feel?
Against it.
It is being discussed where we live, but I have concerns about damage to our well water. A representative of the mining industry stopped one afternoon recently wanting to talk about it, but I was busy and told him he should call and schedule something. He asked for my phone number and I told him I didn’t give it out,
For.
Here’s a video explaining hydraulic fracking, from Marathon Oil.
It’s a HUGE issue in our area, and I’m very against it.
Huge issue in our area. The opponents can’t really articulate beyond “It’s evil!” but my view is given the drought conditions we face, is it really the best use of water resources.
I generally take these things with a grain of salt (and don’t worry, I’ve read all the contradictory write ups about them), but Gasland and Gasland 2 basically horrified me into never, ever, EVER supporting fracking.
For it, subject to reasonable regulation and ongoing study regarding environmental impact. Also, a useful lesson in those who are concerned over a particular technology or issue: Try to avoid coming off as hysterical (not in the sense of humorous) in your opposition. It doesn’t do you any favors.
I think it’s an excellent way to totally frack up the groundwater in your area. I am on city water so it wouldn’t affect me personally (our water comes from a lake reservoir), but I would be against it just for the sake of other folks in our area who rely on well water.
As a petroleum geologist I feel pretty familiar with the process and risks and think that through informed practices and reasonable measures contamination can be avoided. We recently leased our family cattle ranch for shale gas development and, given its dependancy on well water, there’s no way I would have advocated this were I to have had any scientific reservations.
ETA: No doubt some mistakes have been made in the past. There’s no reason they should be replicated in the future.
The only fracking I’m for involves Callie.
Just popping in to say 1) I work for an oil and gas company currently developing shale gas in both the US and Canada, so am very familiar with the process, and 2) I am also an independant researcher doing her thesis on public perceptions on hydraulic fracturing of shale gas in Central Alberta (talk about conflict of interest, eh?!). My literature review looked at similar research in Texas, Pensylvania, New York and North East British Columbia.
If anyone has any questions about the process or what research in to the social or environmental effects of fracking is finding, I can try to provide information/cites/articles.
I answered “others”. This gas isn’t going anywhere. There’s no reason to be in a hurry to extract it.
Especially since there are other countries (notably the USA) that have begun to do so. We’ll be able to learn from their mistakes 
I answered “other” as well, but for a different reason. I think it’s a valuable tool in the right circumstances, but like many such, it appears to me to be overused.
“I have this shiny hammer! That MUST be a nail!”
Recent news, in all the papers just within the last few days:
(Google fracking Barnhart for any number of other articles on the same subject.)
In drought-parched West Texas, the community wells run dry (and/or contaminated) as fracking sucks up all the water.
I think it is the issue that shows that Democrats who believe Republicans are anti-science are complete hypocrites. Study after study has shown the technology to be safe; yet, ridiculously biased, distortion-filled “documentaries” like Gasland form essentially the entire basis of the opposition’s argument against it. If you have ever criticized a Republican for climate change denying while simultaneously believing in lies told by Gasland then you an incredible hypocrite partisan moron. Nearly every single expert believes the technology is safe; the opposition has Yoko Ono and some other idiot hipster high school dropouts looking for a cause as its intellectual support.
Having said that, there are numerous legitimate concerns about oil and gas development, in general, that should be regulated or at least acknowledged. I believe it is reasonable to oppose nearly all oil and gas drilling operations near populated areas (drilling near the DFW Airport and University of Texas at Arlington campus for example concern me). I also believe that the volume of water used in hydraulic fracturing operations is a legitimate concern (water recycling should be used). Gas flaring in places lacking pipeline infrastructure such as North Dakota is problematic. Certain states without much historical oil and gas development probably do not have an adequate regulatory framework in place (potentially places like Ohio and New York), and should expend time and effort into making sure that they study the best way to regulate the industry before granting drilling permits. Significant drilling operations bring about major change such as increased truck traffic. Plugging and remediation regulations should be strictly enforced and require bonding of some sort. Revenue coming in to municipalities from oil and gas development should not be counted on as a long-term flat or accelerating source of permanent revenue. Hydraulic fracturing is not some magic panacea for the world’s energy problems. Economics in certain unconventional plays is fairly marginal. The drilling is statistical in nature yielding reasonably predictable type-curves and recoveries; however, individual well results do vary pretty significantly in plays. Investing in oil and gas related enterprises requires expertise and shouldn’t be undertaken by novices. There are several companies that I would never do business with that are active in the industry as well as a number of promoter-type salesman looking to con people out of money. There are numerous other issues that need to be considered.
Simply put, hydraulic fracturing is one part of a very large industry that has numerous issues that should be considered. The oil and gas industry is very large and very important, to put it in understated terms. I see no legitimate evidence that shows hydraulic fracturing poses any kind of significant concern environmentally that warrants any special type of ban or increased oversight and regulation than already exists in nearly all active producing areas. Moratoriums in new operating areas to ensure adequate regulation seems generally reasonable.
I guess I’ve got to ask where you are coming up with the contaminated claim? Unless I missed it, I saw nothing in the article alleging any contamination. What I did see, is that people were freely selling their water, probably in a very irresponsible manner, during a drought. An oil and gas lease does not generally give an oil company water rights. That water is owned in most places by the surface rights owner.
Generally speaking, fresh water is a concern for much of the world and definitely in parts of Texas, particularly recently. The amount of water wasted here is ridiculous. We waste ridiculous amounts of water on stupid things like rice farming in areas that can’t support it. We definitely waste water on hydraulic fracturing.
As a a petroleum geologist familiar with the process and risks what do you feel are the odds of companies taking reasonable measures to avoid contamination? I have no idea, but I’m betting you’re in a better position to make an educated guess on this one.
Studies show it will be safe, or could be safe? Oil companies have some history of promising safety, but then deviating from the procedures that those promises were based on, which has resulted in environmental catastrophe. I don’t see it as partisan hackery to suspect that might also be the case with fracking.
:dubious: Seriously? You think you’re done making mistakes now?