American Petroleum Institute pledges to fight possible Biden fracking limits
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
The American Petroleum Institute has pledged to use “every tool at its disposal” including legal action if U.S. President-elect Joe Biden tries to restrict development of oil and gas drilling on federal lands, chief executive Mike Sommers said in an interview with Reuters on Monday.
Biden has stated he supports a ban on new gas and oil permits on federal lands, which includes fracking permits.
According to Reuters, Sommers said the API looks forward to working with the Biden administration on energy, but would balk if Biden implemented restrictions on lands that were “always meant for multi-use.”
Learn more: Reuters > U.S. oil industry group pledges to fight possible Biden fracking limits
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.