You may need a pdf reader to view some of the files on this page. First used in the us in the 1940s, hydrofracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a process where cracks are created in. Sep, 2010 fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a controversial process for extracting natural gas from shale. It is true that water supplies have been contaminated by activities related to hydraulic fracturing. The epa report stated that there was scientific evidence that hydraulic fracturing activities can impact drinking water resources in the united.
In uturn, epa says fracking can pose a threat to drinking. Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling are safely unlocking vast u. Questions and answers about epas hydraulic fracturing. Details environmental impact issues including health impacts. This report, which totaled almost one thousand pages, was undoubtedly read by very few people, but the news.
Developing energy from shale is an advanced process that uses the latest drilling technologies and equipment. Epas decision to conduct this study was also based on concerns voiced by individuals who may be affected by coalbed methane development, congressional interest, and the need for additional information before epa could make any further regulatory or policy decisions regarding hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing can contaminate drinking water but has not caused widespread impacts, u. Epas study of hydraulic fracturing and its potential impact on drinking water resources.
In 2010 congress requested that the environmental protection agency epa undertake a new, broader study of hydraulic fracturing. A description of how hydraulic fracturing is performed and consequences of those actions. The strategy also provides a means for exchanging information with. The process known as hydraulic fracturing hf is one way of accessing this important resource. Hydraulic fracturing study in its fy2010 appropriations committee conference report, congress directed epa to study the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water, using. We studied the relationship between hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas and drinking water resources. Overview of us epas study of the potential impacts of hydraulic.
To require certain procedures in the conduct by the environmental protection agency of its study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. Netl releases hydraulic fracturing study department of energy. Unconventional oil and natural gas development us epa. Epa hydraulic fracturing study improvement act ocolc871006018.
Hydraulic fracturing and the epa water study where do we. Jan 18, 2017 epa released the final report, hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas. Hydraulic fracturing requires the injection of hundreds of thousands of gallons of water. Hydraulic fracturing has been used in the oil and natural gas industry since the 1940s, producing more than 700 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 15 billion barrels of oil since the practice began. Nov 30, 2016 in addition to finishing the study on hydraulic fracturing s impact on drinking water, the epa will continue to pay for research on fracking. Aerial photograph of hydraulic fracturing well sites near williston, north. Epa concluded that there was limited information regarding the influents and effluents from facilities that treat wastewater from hydraulic fracturing operations and that improved analysis methods are needed so we can better determine concentrations of chemicals like organics and radionuclides. The environmental protection agency epa or agency is announcing four 4 public informational meetings to explain its proposed plan to study the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water. Epas study of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas and its potential. Environmentalists and the press are making too much of a slight wording change in the epas justreleased final report on the safety of hydraulic. Epa published research related to the hydraulic fracturing.
Dec 20, 2012 because fracking is an oilfield service with a small number of suppliers and small number of buyers, most of the state of the art is trade secret. The strategy also provides a means for exchanging information with experts on technical issues. The meetings are open to all interested parties and will be held in fort worth, texas. Pb91181818 epa 600291012 april 1991 feasibility of hydraulic fracturing of soil to improve remedial actions by l c. Assessment of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing. Environmental protection agency last year made critical changes at the eleventh hour to a highly anticipated, fiveyear scientific study of hydraulic fracturings. Epa releases draft assessment on the potential impacts to drinking water resources from hydraulic fracturing activities. Pb91181818 epa600291012 april 1991 feasibility of hydraulic fracturing of soil to improve remedial actions by l c. The epa study on fracking and drinking water resources 2016. Study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing december 2012on drinking water resources. Scouring the epa report for statements proving or disproving that hydraulic fracturing is safe will surely reveal both. United states environmental protection agency office of.
The epa studied the relationship between hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas and drinking water resources using the hydraulic fracturing water cycle. While it is clear that the primary focus of this study will be the potential relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water resources, this study should not be carried out in isolation of the larger picture. Epa analysis of fracfocus 1 data fact sheet epas study of. Shale producers have been pumping out more oil and. Epa analysis of fracfocus 1 data fact sheet epas study. Results indicate that under the conditions of this study, for this specific location. Nontechnical guide to petroleum geology, exploration, drilling and. Department of energys national energy technology laboratory netl has released a technical report on the results of a limited field study that monitored a hydraulic fracturing operation in greene county, pa for upward fracture growth out of the target zone and upward gas and fluid migration.
Brasweu center hill research facility university of cincinnati cincinnati, ohio 45224 contract 68033379 work assignment no. Epa found in a highly anticipated study released today. Table 1 broadly summarizes the different fluids that are used for hydraulic fracturing epa. In uturn, epa says fracking can pose a threat to drinking water last summer, in a draft report, the agency concluded hydraulic fracturing has no. A single procedure can consume more than 500,000 gallons of water, which is almost enough water to fill an.
As part of conducting these studies, we met with stakeholders, collecting input that helped to make our work stronger. Study concerning the safety and environmental compatibility of. Hydraulic fracturing began as an experiment in 1947, and the first commercially successful application followed in 1950. Epa published research related to the hydraulic fracturing study. Epas study of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas and. Executive summary, hydraulic fracturing study us epa. Government publication, national government publication, internet resource. Epa to study fracking gas drilling method new orleans.
Epa study of hydraulic fracturing and drinking water resources. As a result, the epas probe of the central issues related to hydraulic fracturing and water could be weakened, as precious resources go to other aspects of the investigation. Case studies for epas hydraulic fracturing study epas. Plan to study the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on. Because fracking is an oilfield service with a small number of suppliers and small number of buyers, most of the state of the art is trade secret. Through these case studies, the epa sought to identify whether there was an impact, and if so to better understand. Titles and descriptions of the research projects conducted as part of the epas. Epa launches hydraulic fracturing study environment.
Washington, december, 2016 api today blasted the epas abandonment of science in revising the conclusions to the assessment report on hydraulic fracturing. The epa analyzed over two years of data from the fracfocus chemical disclosure registry 1. Epa s decision to conduct this study was also based on concerns voiced by individuals who may be affected by coalbed methane development, congressional interest, and the need for additional information before epa could make any further regulatory or policy decisions regarding hydraulic fracturing. Study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on. When epa started this study, we were asked by congress to scientifically assess the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water. Evaluation of impacts to underground sources of drinking. Informational public meetings for hydraulic fracturing. Feasibility of hydraulic fracturing of soil to improve. Epa launches national study of hydraulic fracturing. House energy chairman ron bishop rut stated the epas new study contradicts a predominant claim the white house has used to justify a federal fracturing rule.
The epas study is the first national study of the potential impacts of hydraulic. Unconventional oil and gas production not currently affecting drinking. Industry groups hailed the draft epa study as proof that fracking is safe. Dec, 2016 epa report on fracking raises more questions than answers. Critics of fracking question the environmental and health effects of pumping thousands of. Epa has implemented a strategy that engages stakeholders in dialogue and provides opportunities for input on the study scope and case study locations. This report, which totaled almost one thousand pages, was undoubtedly read by very few people, but the news coverage was astounding.
Buy hydraulic fracturing and safe drinking water act issues. Congress asked the epa to study the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water, kevin book, managing director at clearview energy. Hydrofracking risk assessment executive summary ufz. Hydraulic fracturing in the united states wikipedia. Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a controversial process for extracting natural gas from shale. The structure of the present study is shown schema tically in. Epa report on fracking raises more questions than answers.
Study released the draft study is published, and the accompanying news release carries this headline. The epa study on fracking and drinking water resources 2016 on december, 2016, the environmental protection agency epa released a final report requested by congress in 2010 on the impact of hydraulic fracturing fracking on drinking water resources. A subheading now mentions assessment shows hydraulic fracturing activities have not led to widespread, systemic. Our study of hydraulic fracturing and its potential impact on drinking water resources. Epa s study of hydraulic fracturing and its potential impact on drinking water resources. Epa released the final report, hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas. Epa plans a nationwide study to see if reported water contamination in gas drilling areas is caused by the practice of injecting. On december 16, 2016, epa hosted public webinars on the final assessment report, hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas. Research activities associated with the hydraulic fracturing water lifecycle.
The hydraulic fracturing water cycle has five stages. The associated press march 19, 2010 0 the environmental protection agency said thursday that it will study potential human health and water quality threats from an oil and natural gas drilling technique that injects massive amounts of water, sand and chemicals underground. Study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. Fact sheet analysis of hydraulic fracturing fluid data. Epas fracking finding misled on threat to drinking water. Epas late changes to fracking study downplayed risk of.
Epa to study hydraulic fracturing san antonio expressnews. According to the epa, the hydraulic fracturing process involves taking water from the ground, pumping fracturing. Jun 05, 2015 house energy chairman ron bishop rut stated the epas new study contradicts a predominant claim the white house has used to justify a federal fracturing rule. An overview of hydraulic fracturing and other formation stimulation. Frackings friends and foes claim vindication in epa study. This study has been undertaken by the joint research centre, the european commissions. Environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing umweltbundesamt.
Impacts from the hydraulic fracturing water cycle on drinking water. Epas study of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas and its. Environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing in the united states. In uturn, epa says fracking can pose a threat to drinking water. Major epa fracking study downplayed risks to us water supply. Such treatment is generally necessary to achieve adequate flow rates in shale gas, tight gas, tight oil, and coal seam gas wells. Epas study of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas and its potential impact on drinking water resources epa released the final report, hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas. It is also true that the number of documented contamination events make up a small percentage of all wells. Epa hydraulic fracturing study improvement act ocolc861617128 microfiche version. Hydraulic fracturing enhanced by water pressure blasting.
It is beyond absurd for the administration to reverse course on its way out the door, said api upstream director erik milito. Progress reporttable continued from previous pagecasrn chemical name iupac reference name and120729 indole structure 2430439546 inulin, carboxymethyl ether, sodium salt 1, 412030498 iridium oxide 87439896 iron 2, 417619 iron oxide fe3o4. Epa to carry out a study on the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water, using a credible. A group of independent scientists says the controversial study did not support the epas conclusion that fracking did not pose a widespread threat to.
The process involves the highpressure injection of fracking fluid primarily water, containing sand or other proppants suspended with the aid of thickening agents into a wellbore to create cracks in. Washington the environmental protection agency is close to launching a broad study on hydraulic fracturing, but the probe doesnt guarantee the federal government will step in and regulate the. Jul 30, 2015 scouring the epa report for statements proving or disproving that hydraulic fracturing is safe will surely reveal both. Impacts from the hydraulic fracturing water cycle on drinking water resources. Industry analysis pokes holes in epa hydraulic fracturing. Economic consideration of hydraulic fracturing are presented the book is written in easytoread using language that is understandable by scientists, engineers, and nontechnical persons. Epa officials made critical lastminute changes to their presentation of a multiyear report on hydraulic fracturings impact on water supplies. As part of our study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas on drinking water resources, the epa conducted five retrospective case studies. On december, 2016, the environmental protection agency epa released a final report requested by congress in 2010 on the impact of hydraulic fracturing fracking on drinking water resources. As for what fracking means to the united states the answers are security, economic growth and jobs, jobs, jobs.
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