Campaign fights negative connotation of ‘fracking’
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Maybe the problem stems from a lack of understanding or a concern for the environment, but the term “fracking” has a poor reputation in regions where oil and gas drilling is prevalent.
The Wall Street Journal reports that an ad campaign has been launched to improve the word’s connotation. The Marcellus Shale Coalition is attempting to give “fracking” a positive spin.
Hydraulic fracturing is commonly shortened to “frac,” but many who oppose the process added the “k” at the end to give the word a negative connotation.
From The Wall Street Journal:
“‘They added the ‘k’ to make it look like a bad word, to diminish what we’re doing,’” Larry Fulmer, a superintendent for Cabot Oil & Gas, told NPR earlier this year.
Via: The Wall Street Journal > A push to make ‘fracking’ sound better
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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.