Natural Gas Extraction: Is It Really a Clean Alternative?

Posted by on May 22, 2012 in Earth SOS, Environmental Issues, Featured Slide, Human Rights, RECENT POSTS | Comments

Natural Gas Extraction: Is It Really a Clean Alternative?

By EVELYN HARFORD  Published May 22, 2012

The process of Hydraulic Fracturing, more commonly known in the media, as fracking is the process by which oil and gas companies extract natural gas from reserves deep in the ground. The fracking process was invented by American oil and gas company Halliburton in the 1940s,[1] and has increased dramatically in recent years. In regards to the US, “Domestic oil and natural gas production has increased every year President Obama has been in office.”[2] After the Deep Water Horizon oil spill, and the Iraq War domesticating a ‘clean’ energy source would seem like the right move for the Obama Administration to make. However, the effects of fracking on environmental and human health are less obvious, but no less profound. The Obama Administration has “cut net oil imports by 1 million barrels per day.”[3] In 2011, the US was the number one producer of natural gas globally, producing 2.97 trillion ft3 on public lands.[4] Natural gas is seen as a ‘clean’ energy alternative to coal burning and ‘safe’ alternative to nuclear power. For these reasons natural gas extraction continues to grow in North America and Europe.[5] Despite the ‘clean’ appearance of natural gas the realities are quite different.

Hydraulic Fracturing: The Process

It is important to understand the process involved in extracting natural gas to appreciate how invasive and dangerous it really is. The fracking process can be broken down into six steps. First, water sand and additives are pumped at high pressure down into a wellbore, secondly this high water pressure forces the liquid into severed sections of rock, splitting it more fully as the additives and sand hold the spits open. It is important to note that the fracking water used in this process contains dangerous chemicals that pollute water systems, and harm organisms that come into contact with them. Thirdly, the density of water, sand and additives increases as the fracking process continues. This process may be done in steps to ensure the maximum fracturing to the rock. Once the rock has been fractured, the water pressure is reduced, and fluids are carried up the wellbore for disposal, treatment and reuse leaving sand to hold open the cracks to allows the oil and gas to flow and be extracted.[6] Next is the waste management portion of production. The waste-water left over from the fracking process is transferred into either evaportators to evaporate the VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), and/or condensation tanks, used to steam off the VOCs, further polluting the environment (our atmosphere) with dangerous chemicals contributing to the production of dangerous, ground level ozone. The fracking process occurs at 8000 ft below the earth’s surface allowing chemicals used in the fracking process to contaminate ground water, treatable ground water aquifers, private wells and municipal water sources. Fracking is the most economically efficient way to produce natural gas. However the question remains, does the economic gain outweigh environmental and public health costs? As time passes, the answer according to residents directly impacted by fracking is, “NO!”

Where Does Fracking Occur?

Location of Natural Gas Reserves in North AmericaThe fracking process occurs 8000 ft below the earth’s surface allowing chemicals used in the fracturing process to contaminate ground water and Treatable Ground water aquifers, private wells and municipal water sources. An Increasing number of natural gas reserves have been found all over North America. The oppositional firestorm aimed at the oil and gas companies currently ‘fracking’ in the US has been centered on the ‘fracking’ occurring on the Machellus Shale gas reserve. This watershed contamination could eventually cause the pollution of New York City’s main water source. The Marcellus shale gas reserve is perfect location for natural gas extraction, there is both large supply and near to a profitable market.[7] Dimlock, Pennsylvania is perhaps the hardest hit by the dangerous chemicals seeping into residential water supplies. However there are at least 22 shale basins located onshore in more than 20 states in the U.S. including Alaska, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Virginia, Wyoming, Arkansas, Colorado, and ‘other states’ including West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and Michigan.[8] Canadian natural gas production is mainly centered in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. However it is also occurring in British Columbia, Ontario and in the offshore field off the coast of Newfoundland and Labordor.[9]

Health Concerns

Citizens in close proximity to fracking sites have reported serious health issues caused by dangerous levels of toxic chemical also found in fracking water. Chemicals including: “Benzene [a known carcinogen], toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylenes (naturally present in many hydrocarbon deposits)…may be present in drilling and fracking [fluids]. These VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) can cause symptoms such as headaches loss of coordination, and damage to the liver and kidneys.”[10]

According to, “a 2010 congressional investigation revealed that Halliburton and other fracking companies had used 32 million gallons of diesel products”[11] [in their extraction process], including the above-mentioned toxic chemicals. The in-depth investigation in 2010, lead to the eventual close of the ‘Halliburton Loophole’ in 2011 which forced the oil and gas companies involved with fracking to disclose chemicals used in their process.

Online news source, The Atlantic also indicates that, this new law will allow doctors in Pennsylvania to access information about chemicals used in natural gas extraction, but won’t be able to share it with their patients. The lobbying power that oil and gas companies have in the US government makes government imposed transparency of these industries increasingly difficult. And further highlights how difficult it is for the citizen’s effect by fracking to receive compensation from these companies. Just because the oil and gas industry has to disclose the chemicals used in their extraction does not mean that the industry’s production will slow. The national and state governments are encouraging natural gas production to better the US economy.

Fracking: A Political Issue

Fracking continues to take place because of negligent and ignorant politicians and the tremendous power of oil and gas corporations. Tom Corbett, governor of Pennsylvania put it simply, “Jobs or no jobs.” Regardless of the public health and environmental risks, people want jobs. Natural gas extraction provides employment to people in regions who may otherwise be unemployed due to the economic downturn. Corbett is not alone, “A nationwide boom in natural gas production is set to fuel nearly 900,000 jobs…by 2015”[12]

Oil and gas companies are able to continue harmful environmental practices, which also pose public health risks because of what Josh Fox terms the “Halliburton Loophole”.  The 2005 Energy Bill proposed by Dick Cheney (former Vice President and executive at Halliburton)…”stripped the Environmental Protection Agency of its authority to regulate a drilling process called hydraulic fracturing.”[13] This paved the way for more intensive drilling in New York and Pennsylvania. Resulting in tremendous profits for the oil and gas companies, including Halliburton. According to the New York Times, the “Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act, it would close the loophole and restore the E.P.A.’s [Environmental Protection Agency’s] rightful authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing and expose chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing process.”[14]

The oil and gas industry is consistently criticized by environmental organizations for their apathy and blatant disregard for the ecosystems where they operate. The relatively new boom in natural gas extraction technique, fracking has received the attention of many U.S. and Canadian citizens. Fracking was featured in the 2010 Sundance Documentary, Gasland receiving international recognition and praise. This film further emphasized the relationship industry has with the environment, the scary realization that industry in some instances can win out over human health. Josh Fox, director of Gasland uses the hydraulic fracturing process to illustrate the power the oil and gas industry have over the public health and essentially have more power than the government who were set out to regulate them. Profits made by companies like Halliburton, Cabot and ExxonMobil through fracking are put above the environmental and human health concerns.

So… Is natural gas really a ‘clean’ energy alternative?

Resoundingly, in the literature and citizen blogs, the answer is no. Unfortunately our overwhelming energy demands requires us to look for alternatives. Natural gas may be cleaner than crude oil, but its quite chemical contaminants make is nonetheless dangerous and harmful to the environment and human health. Natural gas is seen as a ‘clean’ energy alternative to coal burning and ‘safe’ alternative to nuclear power. For these reasons natural gas extraction continues to grow in North America and Europe.[15] The word is spreading about the dangers of fracking and its potential to harm large-scale aquifers, and watersheds. Obama’s administration groups wind, solar and natural gas as clean energy sources.[16] This is skewing the realities of natural gas extraction far-reaching environmental impacts.

Environmental Impacts:

Water Quality Issues

The contamination of public water sources by oil and gas companies can be considered domestic terrorism. Methane and ethanol are the major chemicals concerning residents, however the slue of other chemicals involved in the fracking process are also being researched further for their environmental and public health effects mentioned earlier. 

Air Quality

A less obvious environmental danger of the fracking process is air pollution. Diesel exhaust produced by trucks transporting the 1-8 million gallons of water used to frack a well contributes to carbon emissions. In addition to this, diesel exhaust combined with, “VOCs create ground level ozone. Ground-level can contribute to severe respiratory and immune system problems.”[17] According to Josh Fox’s research these ozone layers can extend 250 ft.

Livestock and Foodshed

The contamination of the foodshed demonstrates the interconnected nature of ecosystems and contaminates entering them. Water pollution in the home can be remedied through the purchase of bottled water (precipitating another harmful environmental trend). The contamination of livestock, wildlife and agricultural products in areas effect by fracking are increasingly prevalent. The toxins consumed by livestock through water and grass consumption contaminate the food chain. The toxins are absorbed into the cattle’s (or other livestock’s) muscle tissue are then transferred into humans.

A Cornell University study found that in Garfield County, Colorado, “A bull went sterile, and a herd of beef cows stopped going into heat, as did pigs. In the most striking case, sheep bred on an organic dairy farm had a rash of inexplicable stillbirths — all in close proximity to drilling waste pits, where wastewater that includes fracturing fluids is misted into the air for evaporation.” A yearlong study by Cornell released in 2012 concluded that what was happening in Garfield county was not an anomaly and was happening in 5 separate states.[18]

Colorado alone has over 3,200,00 acres of irrigated cropland that is now in danger.[19] This is not an isolated trend; it is tied to fracking chemicals. Where ever fracking occurs food shed contamination is sure to follow. Oil and gas companies need to be held accountable.  Now that the Halliburton Loophole is beginning to close, transparency on the rise and citizen involvement increasing more studies are surfacing abut fracking dangers. This is a multi-faceted environmental issue and urgent action is needed.

Why you should care?

Water is essential to human, animal and plant life. Citizens’ protests and action are being rewarded in Germany as German, “Environment Minister Norbert Röttgen and Economy Minister Philipp Rösler have agreed to oppose the controversial [fracking] process for the time being.”[20] Obama has also made proposed legislation earlier in May to increase transparency of the oil and gas companies.[21] However, with an election looming in the US it will be interesting to see how far his commitment will go. For Americans the economy is the most sensitive issue in the upcoming election. Speak out, and legislative results are possible. If the demand for natural gas reduces and demand for truly green energy sources increases innovative technology will have the competitive edge over the traditional ‘dirty’ energy sources. More investment, education and awareness is needed in both the solar and wind sectors to reduces our demand on energy sources such as natural gas. Change is possible, but the economic incentive and environmental consciousness, and citizen involvement is needed to change the system which is inherently self-serving. A paradigm shift from the current unsustainable energy extraction to sustainable energy production is drastically needed. We all have a part to play.

What can you do?

Sign petitions in your local area, get involved and informed about projects occurring where you live. How does fracking affect you, your community and your ecosystem? Information is available. There are many, many more websites that offer information. However, there are a few helpful ones below:

http://nofracking.com/

http://www.owsstopfracking.org/

http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/

http://stopfrackingontario.wordpress.com/

http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en/campaigns/global-warming-and-energy/The-Problem/fracking/

http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/

The documentary Gasland, mentioned throughout the article is a great documentary delving deep into the issues mentioned in this article. Check it out:


[1] The New York Times. (2009, 11 02). The Halliburton Loophole. Retrieved 04 29, 2012, from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/opinion/03tue3.html

[2] Obama Administration. (n.d.). Develop and Secure America’s Energy Resources . Retrieved 05 1, 2012, from The White House: President Barack Obama: http://www.whitehouse.gov/energy/securing-american-energy

[3] Obama Administration. (n.d.). Develop and Secure America’s Energy Resources . Retrieved 05 1, 2012, from The White House: President Barack Obama: http://www.whitehouse.gov/energy/securing-american-energy Obama Administration . (2012, 03 12). The Obama Energy Agenda: Gas Prices. Retrieved 05 01, 2012, from The White House: Obama Administration: http://www.whitehouse.gov/energy/gasprices

[4] Obama Administration . (2012, 03 12). The Obama Energy Agenda: Gas Prices. Retrieved 05 01, 2012, from The White House: Obama Administration: http://www.whitehouse.gov/energy/gasprices Obama Administration . (2012, 03 12). The Obama Energy Agenda: Gas Prices. Retrieved 05 01, 2012, from The White House: Obama Administration: http://www.whitehouse.gov/energy/gasprices

[5] Grosskopf, M. a. (2011, 05 21). Acuity Insights:Covering Critical Envrionemental Investment Trends. Retrieved 04 25, 2012, from http://www.agf.com/institutional/int/files/investment_insights/FUND536_-_Critical_Environmental_Investment_Trends_EN_48771.pdf

[6] Chesapeake Energy. (n.d.). The Process. Retrieved 04 25, 2012, from Hyrdraulic Fracturing Facts: http://www.hydraulicfracturing.com/Process/Pages/information.aspx

[7] The Council of Canadians. (2010, Sept 21). Environmental Concerns and Regulatory Initiatives Related to Hydraulic Fracturing in Shale Gas Formations: Potential Implications for North American Gas Supply. Retrieved April 20, 2010, from http://canadians.org/energy/documents/fracking/report-fracturing-1010.pdf

[8] NaturalGas.Org. (2011). Natural Gas Supply. Retrieved 04 20, 2012, from NatualGas.org: http://www.naturalgas.org/business/supply.asp

[9] Natural Resources Canada. (2009, 09 02). The Atlas of Canada. Retrieved 04 20, 2012, from Crude Oil and Natural Gas Resources: http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/economic/energy/oilgas/1

[10] Brown, V. J. (2007). Industry Issues: Putting the Heat on Gas. Environmental Health Perspectives , 115 (2), A76.

[11] The Atlantic. (2012- 27-3). For Pennsylvania’s Doctors, a Gag Order on Fracking Chemicals. Retrieved 2012-20-04 from The Atlantic: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/03/for-pennsylvanias-doctors-a-gag-order-on-fracking-chemicals/255030/ Kjarval, U. (10, 07 15). Fracking Cattle. Retrieved 04 30, 2012, from Mark Bittman: http://markbittman.com/fracking-cattle

[12] Dlouhy, J. A. (2011, 12 06). Industry predicts natural gas boom will fuel growth. Retrieved 04 20, 2012, from The Tech: Online Edition: http://tech.mit.edu/V131/N57/gas.html

[13] The New York Times. (2009, 11 02). The Halliburton Loophole. Retrieved 04 29, 2012, from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/opinion/03tue3.html

[14] The New York Times. (2009, 11 02). The Halliburton Loophole. Retrieved 04 29, 2012, from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/opinion/03tue3.html

[15] Grosskopf, M. a. (2011, 05 21). Acuity Insights:Covering Critical Envrionemental Investment Trends. Retrieved 04 25, 2012, from http://www.agf.com/institutional/int/files/investment_insights/FUND536_-_Critical_Environmental_Investment_Trends_EN_48771.pdf

[16] Obama Administration . (2012-12-03). The Obama Energy Agenda: Gas Prices. Retrieved 2012-01-05 from The White House: Obama Administration: http://www.whitehouse.gov/energy/gasprices

[17] Brown, V. J. (2007). Industry Issues: Putting the Heat on Gas. Environmental Health Perspectives , 115 (2), A76.

[18] Messeder, J. (2012, 01 16). Cornell Study Links Fracking Wastewater with Mortality in Farm Animals. Retrieved 04 20, 2012, from EcoWatch: Uniting the Voice of the Grassroots Environmental Movement: http://ecowatch.org/2012/cornell-study-links-fracking-wastewater-with-mortality-in-farm-animals/

[19] Save Colorado From Fracking. (n.d.). Food Supply Contamination. Retrieved 04 20, 2012, from Save Colorado from Fracking: A Coaltion of Citizens Who Love Colorado: http://www.savecoloradofromfracking.org/harm/foodsupply.html

[20] Spiegel, D. (2012, 05 08). German government rejects fracking, saying they are “very skeptical” about the technology. Retrieved 05 12, 2012, from Deep Green Resistance (DGR) News Service: http://dgrnewsservice.org/2012/05/08/german-government-rejects-fracking-saying-they-are-very-skeptical-of-the-technology/

[21] Spiegel, D. (2012, 05 08). German government rejects fracking, saying they are “very skeptical” about the technology. Retrieved 05 12, 2012, from Deep Green Resistance (DGR) News Service: http://dgrnewsservice.org/2012/05/08/german-government-rejects-fracking-saying-they-are-very-skeptical-of-the-technology/

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