Articles tagged with Hydraulic Fracturing
Researchers from the University of Missouri found high levels of endocrine disrupting chemicals in surface water near a hydraulic fracturing wastewater disposal facility in West Virginia. The study's results suggest potential negative health effects on aquatic organisms, other animals, and humans due to increased EDC activity.
A survey of a major oil and gas-producing region in Western Canada suggests that hydraulic fracturing may be linked to induced earthquakes. The study found that significant percentage of events are caused by the fracturing process itself, not just wastewater injection.
A new report published in Seismological Research Letters suggests a link between hydraulic fracturing and induced earthquakes in Western Canada. Researchers found that thousands of hydraulic fracturing wells are being drilled every year, increasing the likelihood of earthquake activity.
Researchers quantify lightning threat to hydraulic fracturing operations, citing potential $10 million incidents and third of all modern hydrocarbon tank accidents associated with lightning strikes. The study suggests increasing frequency due to burning fossil fuels contributing to climate change.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a nearly universal scaling relationship between fracture stiffness and fluid flow, allowing for rapid and remote evaluation of fractures. This breakthrough can predict flow paths, evaluate hydraulic integrity, and monitor changes in fluid flow over time.
Stanford Professor Rob Jackson found high levels of natural gas in tap water near active wells, often caused by poorly constructed wells or lack of cementing. Shallow fracking operations can contaminate freshwater aquifers, posing a risk to drinking water quality.
A new study by Stanford researchers suggests that earthquakes triggered by human activity follow several indicative patterns that could help scientists distinguish them from naturally occurring temblors. The likelihood of large-magnitude manmade, or "induced," earthquakes increases over time, independent of the previous seismicity rate.
A Dartmouth study reveals that hydraulic fracturing can generate highly saline and toxic metal-rich wastewater due to chemical reactions between injected freshwater and the fractured shale. The research suggests that water-rock interactions play a major role in producing hazardous waste, posing a risk to drinking water supplies.
A Syracuse University study, Project SWIFT, aims to establish a baseline for groundwater quality and develop geochemical fingerprinting tools to analyze water quality in areas with potential shale gas drilling. The researchers are analyzing flow-back water to uncover unique chemistry not found in well water.
New research proposes using numerical modeling to evaluate fracking's seismic effects prior to drilling. This process aims to prevent unwanted ground shaking caused by movement of large faults, particularly in tight rock masses and near fault zones.
A University of Vermont study reveals that abandoned oil and gas wells near fracking sites can serve as conduits for methane escape, affecting the debate over proposed EPA regulations. The study's findings suggest that even a small percentage of damaged wellbores can pose an environmental risk.
A new study published in Endocrinology found that prenatal exposure to fracking chemicals can lower sperm counts in male mice. The researchers tested 24 chemicals used in fracking and found that 23 of them were endocrine-disrupting chemicals, mimicking or interfering with hormones.
Research finds expectant mothers near fracking wells face increased risk of preterm birth and high-risk pregnancies, with potential links to air quality and maternal stress. The study's findings highlight the need for policymakers to consider health impacts when permitting future wells.
The University of Michigan released its final report on high-volume hydraulic fracturing in Michigan, providing an analysis of policy options for the state's natural gas and oil extraction process. The report includes recommendations for public participation, water resources, and chemical use related to high-volume hydraulic fracturing.
US fracking operations consume nearly 250 billion gallons of water between 2005 and 2014, which is lower than other energy-related extraction methods. However, in drought-stricken areas, local water shortages could limit future use of hydraulic fracturing.
A new Duke University study finds that energy companies used nearly 250 billion gallons of water for US fracking between 2005 and 2014, while generating about 210 billion gallons of wastewater. The study's findings highlight the need for better treatment and disposal methods for chemical-laden flowback water and brine-laden wastewater.
A new study published in Marine and Petroleum Geology has established a national baseline for earthquakes caused by human activity in the UK. Since 1999, an average of at least three onshore earthquakes per year with local magnitude greater than or equal to 1.5 have been linked to anthropogenic activities.
A University of Iowa researcher found that local screenings of Gasland led to an increase in anti-fracking mobilizations and influenced local policymakers to ban hydraulic fracturing. The study used online searches, social media chatter, and mass media coverage to measure the impact of the documentary on public perception.
A study by University of Iowa sociologist Ion Bogdan Vasi found that local screenings of Gasland led to increased anti-fracking mobilizations and influenced policymakers to ban hydraulic fracturing. The documentary film reshaped public perception and sparked significant interest in the topic among the general public.
A review of over 100 scientific studies found that natural gas mining operations release complex mixtures of endocrine disrupting chemicals, which could harm human development and reproduction. Researchers recommend a process to examine the total endocrine disrupting activity from exposure to these chemicals.
Hospitalizations for heart conditions, neurological illness, and other conditions were higher among people who live near unconventional gas and oil drilling. The study found significant increases in cardiology and neurologic inpatient prevalence rates closer to active wells.
A new report on hydraulic fracturing in California offers a road map for scientists to produce energy while minimizing environmental impacts. The study provides recommendations for regulating oil well stimulation treatments, ensuring protective measures for human health and the environment.
A new University of Colorado Boulder framework screened hundreds of organic chemical compounds used in hydraulic fracturing, identifying 15 as potentially hazardous groundwater contaminants based on their toxicity, mobility, and persistence. The study also predicted that 41 compounds would have 10% or more of their initial concentratio...
Hydraulic fracturing requires varying amounts of water, with average volumes ranging from 2.6 gallons to 9.7 million gallons per well. The most water-intensive watersheds coincide with major shale formations such as Eagle Ford and Haynesville-Bossier.
Northwestern University professor Fengqi You uses life-cycle analysis to make the production more environmentally and economically friendly. By restructuring the supply chain, he found that a network of pipelines can transport freshwater and shale gas, reducing trucks and exhaust emissions.
A study by CU-Boulder and USGS found a strong correlation between high-rate injection wells and earthquakes, especially since 2009. High-rate wells pumping over 300,000 barrels of wastewater per month were most likely to trigger earthquakes.
Induced earthquakes, caused by injecting fluids into the earth, are increasingly felt in the US. Research reveals that most of these earthquakes stem from oil and gas wastewater disposal, not hydraulic fracturing. Experts recommend proactive approaches to mitigate seismic risks.
A University of Pittsburgh analysis found pregnant women living near high-density natural gas wells were more likely to have babies with lower birth weights. The study, published in PLOS ONE, examined birth records from southwestern Pennsylvania and controlled for various factors that may influence newborn weight.
Radon levels in Pennsylvania homes have risen since 2004, coinciding with the onset of fracking. The study found higher readings in buildings near active gas wells compared to low-activity areas. Radon is a known carcinogen that can accumulate in homes without adequate ventilation, increasing lung cancer risk.
Researchers uncover organic compounds in fracking fluid, including biocides and surfactants, which can contaminate groundwater. The study provides a basis for water testing and future regulation, addressing the public awareness of fracking's environmental impact.
A recent spill of 3 million gallons of fracking wastewater in North Dakota has raised concerns about the potential harm it could cause to human health and the environment. Scientists are using advanced analytical techniques to study the composition of fracking fluids and wastewater, which may break down differently in the environment.
Engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder have invented a microbe-powered battery that can remove salts and organic contaminants from oil and gas wastewater simultaneously, producing additional energy.
The draft U-M report examines seven chapters of policy options for hydraulic fracturing in Michigan, including public participation, water resources, and chemical use. The report presents information on likely strengths and outcomes to support informed decision-making.
Duke University scientists have discovered high levels of ammonium and iodide in oil and gas wastewater, exceeding EPA water-quality thresholds. These contaminants can harm aquatic life and promote toxic byproducts in drinking water when mixed with chlorine.
Researchers linked hydraulic fracturing to a rare felt earthquake in Poland Township, Ohio, revealing previously unknown faults. The study suggests that a relatively small portion of the operation is responsible for seismic activity.
According to Robert Jackson, minimizing water and air impacts of fracking requires best practices, with surface spills, wastewater disposal, and drinking-water contamination posing primary threats. Natural gas power plants emit less CO2 than coal-fired plants but methane leakage is a significant problem in the US natural gas industry.
Researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology measured high concentrations of organic pollutants emitted during fracking processes in the US, exceeding urban air quality standards by a factor of one thousand. The study found that certain technologies, such as open fracking facilities, release significantly more benzene and oth...
A recent review of over 150 peer-reviewed studies suggests that exposure to chemicals released during natural gas extraction operations may be harmful to human health, particularly reproductive and developmental health. The review found evidence of adverse effects on fertility, miscarriage, birth defects, and semen quality in humans.
Researchers analyzed fracking fluid samples from five states and found that surfactant chemicals were commonly found in everyday products, including toothpaste and laxatives. The study's results suggest that the toxicity of these chemicals may not be as high as previously thought.
Scientists have developed geochemical tracers that can identify hydraulic fracturing flowback fluids in the environment. The tracers were tested at a spill site in West Virginia and a brine wastewater treatment plant in Pennsylvania, allowing for the detection of frac fluid contamination and potential risks to water supplies.
A University of Cincinnati research project is tracking methane levels in private wells and springs before, during and after fracking in the Utica Shale region. The study's findings indicate that organic matter is the primary source of methane in groundwater wells, with relatively low levels detected.
Researchers develop models to identify migratory patterns of species and find they do not stay put over millions of years. UC geologists also recreate ancient Ohio environments using mud cracks and deposits, providing insights into significant ecological change.
A study found hydraulic fracturing triggered a series of small earthquakes in Harrison County, Ohio, coinciding with operations at nearby wells. The 10 positive magnitude earthquakes, ranging from 1.7 to 2.2, revealed an east-west trending fault beneath the gas wells.
Scientists have found that discharge of fracking wastewater into rivers can contaminate drinking water supplies. Even after passage through wastewater treatment plants, halides in the wastewater can lead to toxic byproducts when treated with conventional methods.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that methane contamination in groundwater wells is mostly caused by faulty cement and casing, not drilling or fracking. Improved well construction standards may help prevent future leaks.
The Stanford-led study synthesizes 165 academic studies and government databases to assess the environmental costs and benefits of fracking. Fracking's influence on local air pollution, earthquakes, and supplies of clean water is also examined. The study finds that oil and gas extraction can reduce water consumption compared to coal po...
New research by Penn State scientists suggests that hydraulic fracturing water is not a significant risk to groundwater, as it is sequestered in the rock formation. The study found that capillary and osmotic forces prevent upward migration of residual treatment water into overlying groundwater.
Researchers analyzed water produced by hydraulic fracturing and suggested non-chemical treatments for recycling. They found that produced water contains potentially toxic compounds, but most minerals originate from ancient connate waters, posing little concern.
A new study presents a formal model to predict how countries will regulate hydraulic fracturing, helping companies assess risks and benefits. The model uses multi-criteria decision analysis to aggregate various inputs into a ranked list of policy alternatives.
A new study reveals that fracking fluids contain eight substances toxic to mammals and raise concerns about their potential health impacts. The research highlights the need to characterize compounds used in hydraulic fracturing to evaluate environmental and human health effects.
Researchers found that natural hydraulic fractures formed over time spans of 33 to 35 million years, driven by the slow generation of natural gas. These fractures play a crucial role in modern hydraulic fracturing production, connecting pores in reservoir rock to the hydraulic fracture and wellbore.
A study by conservation biologists highlights the lack of accessible information on fracking fluid chemistry and spill data, raising concerns about chemical contamination and its impact on plants and wildlife. The authors call for increased transparency and cooperation to minimize environmental damage.
The device allows researchers to study chemical reactions in liquid water under pressure without it freezing into a solid. High-pressure measurements shed light on calcium ions and may impact hydraulic fracturing and nuclear waste behavior.
Scientists found that fracking fluids can dislodge tiny particles in soil, attracting heavy metals and other chemicals that could harm people and animals. The study's findings suggest that flowback fluids from fracking operations could contaminate groundwater with a third of the colloids present.
A new study found that fracking chemicals can block the activity of key hormone receptors, including glucocorticoid and thyroid hormone receptors. This disruption has been associated with poor health outcomes such as infertility, cancer, and birth defects.
A University of Montreal study reveals that Quebecers' opposition to shale gas is driven by a strong sense of egalitarianism, which skews their perception of the issue. Egalitarians are more likely to perceive risks related to hydraulic fracturing methods, while individualists focus on benefits.
Scientists have developed coatings that can separate oil from water instantly and efficiently, using an oleophobic-hydrophilic material. The new smart materials could stop surfaces from getting foggy and dirty, and reduce the need for extra steps and equipment in oil spill cleanup.
The shale gas industry's high water usage competes with residential and agricultural needs in arid regions, depleting groundwater resources. Researchers suggest using brackish water and recycling wastewater to minimize the industry's water footprint.
Scientists at NREL are working on a biological process to convert methane from fracking into liquid diesel fuel, which could lower dependence on foreign oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The process uses microbes that can digest methane and produce lipids, the precursor to fuel.
A Duke University study found that blending fracking wastewater with acid mine drainage can remove up to 100% of radium and other radioactive contaminants, making the treated water suitable for reuse in hydraulic fracturing. This process could reduce environmental risks and provide a win-win for the industry and the environment.