Hydraulic Fracturing Versus Earthquake Debate: Opinion Essay

downloadDownload
  • Words 1573
  • Pages 3
Download PDF

Among one of the largest economy boosters that is the gas and oil business of hydraulic fracturing, stands one of the largest feuds with opposing arguments. Something that states such as Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas have “revolved around since statehood” (Sanburn). In this paper will be discussed the feud between oil and gas corporations against those who oppose all that those corporations do. This feud is whether hydraulic fracturing or fracking causes earthquakes, one can assume who stands on each side of the argument. The process of hydraulic fracturing or fracking is to “inject a fluid consisting of water, sand, and chemical additives deep into the ground” to free the resources we need (Loris).

On one side of the spectrum, we have those who believe that hydraulic fracturing causes more good than bad and that the assumptions are false. This side believes that the earthquakes “really aren’t about fracking” including details that opposing parties do not take the time to take in (Shaw). Now on the other side there are those who feel what the process of fracking has created a “man-made geological mess” and with that, believing that fracking indeed causes earthquakes (Sanburn). As two completely different viewpoints are touched on, just like in any argument, it is important to view both sides and thoroughly. As time goes on we will continue to receive more and more data, but until then, a quick synopsis will have to do.

Click to get a unique essay

Our writers can write you a new plagiarism-free essay on any topic

Why Some Agree That Hydraulic Fracturing IS NOT causing earthquakes

Behind every success story there’s doubt and an opposing argument, which is the exact situation with the gas and oil business, more specifically the success of drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Some concerns that have come from fracking are “contaminated drinking water, the chemicals used in fracking, the potential to create earthquakes, and wastewater management” however, the main concern is that hydraulic fracking causes earthquakes (Loris). Despite the beliefs, out of over 30,000 injection sites for fracking only less than ten showed to have seismic activity that produces earthquakes. Along with the low number of seismic activities, 2015 data from fracking states shows that the earthquakes “were below 4.0 magnitude” while California and Alaska experienced some with higher magnitude (Shaw). And contrary to those opposing opinions it is not fracking that causes earthquakes, but improperly “pumping waste liquids into the ground” as opposed to following guidelines in place for wastewater (Trilling). In fact, states that participate in fracking strict regulations to make sure ensures “oil and gas companies operate safely and in an environmentally sensible manner,” and lawmakers are cracking down on wastewater injection (Loris).

Now similar to any situation in life, it simply is not fair to crack down on everyone because there are a few breaking the rules. While there are companies inducing seismic activity that should receive punishment, completely banning hydraulic fracturing stands groundless, just because some companies are breaking the rules, the rest who are following rules and regulations don’t feel they should have to suffer. The companies following all rules work endlessly to meet the standards of “the Clean Air Act (emissions), the Clean Water Act (surface water discharge), the Safe Drinking Water Act (wastewater management), the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (chemical disclosure for emergency responders), and the National Environmental Policy Act (production on federal lands” as well as much more (Loris). Along with the positive of following the rules, hydraulic fracking also does a lot for the economy by creating jobs and lowering gas prices, so ridding of fracking sites will not only break our economy, but also cause many to lose jobs. In order to keep everything running smoothly, many are striving to gather more genuine data as there is a lack of it. Researchers are having to spend much time and effort studying “geology and seismic history” to gather data needed to prove the opposing side wrong (Shaw).

Why Some Agree That Hydraulic Fracturing IS causing earthquakes

While living in states such as Kansas, Oklahoma, or Texas, those residents are more than likely aware of tornadoes and prepared for the damage they bring along. However, now residents of these states must prepare for not only tornadoes, but man-induced earthquakes. In the beginning of oil extraction, the main way fossil fuels were extracted from the earth was by “drilling a hole vertically into the earth” which was not only pricey, but inefficient, however more recently a new and improved way of oil extraction made way, which is done by horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (Sanburn). Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is using “high-pressurized water to break apart underground rock” this process exceeded success rates and saved time. However, the water being injected while fracking brought deeper issues. Fracking injects an obscene amount of wastewater into the ground, “between 1 million and 4 million gallons” resulting in that water to be disposed of afterwards (Green). After all of that water is injected, this builds up pressure causing the earthquakes deriving from the “movement along faults or fractures in the subsurface of the Earth” after wastewater is injected (Green).

After the process of fracking began the state of Oklahoma went from an average of one earthquake a year to now a maddening thirty-five per year around 2010. Ironically “a favorite city of oil and gas” has also become “one of the most seismic places on the planet” (Sanburn). Unfortunately for those who believe fracking does cause earthquakes, it’s hard to pinpoint where each earthquake comes from due to lack of data, such as the position and engagement of the fault lines, but there is data that proves fracking has increased earthquakes not only in the amount, but also the severity. To hopefully gather more information Kansas has created “seismic monitoring stations” which will be used to monitor and track data (Green). Although there is action being taken to put an end to this, a path has already been created as “earthquakes create their own momentum” and long-term consequences will linger with the pressure that has already been created (Sanburn). The states that experience will now have a new way of life with new insurance adding on earthquake coverage, building codes, and even becoming a “a big splotch of bright red” on the maps similar to California (Sanburn).

Discussion Board Forum Teamwork Reflection

When classes have group discussion, it is usually very hit or miss with how well the class participates, however I feel like for this class it went very well. All students wrote great synopsis’s with ideas about the topic of fracking that I would have never even thought about and being that this topic was new to me, really helped me. Although there could have been more participation in the comments, there was still a good amount, but sometimes I would comment on different posts to start conversation and I never received any conversation back. In fact, there were not too many engaging comments, me personally I like to ask questions in the comments to encourage an in-depth conversation, but not everyone did the same. When conversation was sparked within the discussion boards, they were very intriguing and fed me new knowledge and perspectives. With that, the communication I saw from the class was outstanding, every comment was either encouraging or motivating in making the write think outside of the box from what was written. Issues never arose during conversations when they were had, free of drama and conflict. It was simply one person respectfully adding input to someone’s discussion board. However, if there were to be issues, I feel we would be able to figure it all out in a respectful way because we all seemed to be mature and understanding. There never seemed to be anyone submitting discussion boards late, that I noticed of course, more early submissions than anything. Overall, discussion boards can go great or awful, and I feel like this group really made it an easy part of my assignments.

Summary

Before beginning any of the assignments for fracking or reading any articles, my ideas regarding the hydraulic fracturing-earthquake debate were quite simple, I knew fracking had benefits and had occasionally heard about controversy about them causing earthquakes. I guess you could almost say, I really did not have any opinions, just knew a few foundational facts. After reading the articles my position shifted from believing fracking causes earthquakes to the side of it not causing earthquakes. This shift came from participating in the discussion board posts and articles on the side of fracking causing earthquakes and then reading articles from the opposing side while writing the paper. My eyes were opened to the other side of the argument as I saw all the theories explained and how what is causing earthquakes are the companies not following rules and regulations, along with many other details.

However, with that said, articles on both sides of the argument mentioned there needed to be more data. Areas that were not as concerned about earthquakes do not have that data, so to then go forward with guarantee on who may be right or wrong, there needs to be factual data to support. To see trends with the earthquakes, like most storms, monitored data needs to be recorded for a good period of time. My major question I have had throughout this whole process is fi there may be a way we can please both sides? Somehow be able to produce gas in a safe manor by cutting back on what is used to inject into the ground.

image

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy.