Blame is put on well construction in new study
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
According to The Dallas Business Journal, contaminated water from the shale industry might not be a result of drilling or fracking after all.
A new study suggests that the cause of contaminated water is from the construction of shale gas and oil wells. Defects in the design of the wells, such as cracked casings or damaged cement, are the culprit for gas and oil leaked into groundwater.
The study’s authors consist of researchers from Ohio State University as well as four other universities.
Via: The Dallas Business Journal > Study pins shale water contamination on well construction, not drilling or fracking
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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.