Epa plans a nationwide study to see if reported water contamination in gas drilling areas is caused by the practice of injecting. Washington the environmental protection agency is close to launching a broad study on hydraulic fracturing, but the probe doesnt guarantee the federal government will step in and regulate the. Jul 30, 2015 scouring the epa report for statements proving or disproving that hydraulic fracturing is safe will surely reveal both. Epa report study of the potential impacts of hydraulic. The strategy also provides a means for exchanging information with experts on technical issues. Water withdrawals for hydraulic fracturing in times or areas of low water availability, particularly in areas with limited or declining groundwater resources. In uturn, epa says fracking can pose a threat to drinking water last summer, in a draft report, the agency concluded hydraulic fracturing has no. We studied the relationship between hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas and drinking water resources. Hydraulic fracturing research water research us epa. Epas report concludes that hydraulic fracturing activities can impact.
In response to these con cerns, congress urged the u. Dec 20, 2012 because fracking is an oilfield service with a small number of suppliers and small number of buyers, most of the state of the art is trade secret. The technology, a controversial process that is alternatively called hydraulic fracturing, fracking, fracing, or hydrofracking, has greatly expanded natural gas production in the united states. Because fracking is an oilfield service with a small number of suppliers and small number of buyers, most of the state of the art is trade secret. Epa to study whether fracking poses water risk houston. Since 2008, there have been numerous reports of drinking water contaminated by hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. When the limited supply is exhausted, additional copies can be purchased from the national technical information service ntis, ravensworth building, springfield, virginia, 22161, 703 4874600. Industry groups hailed the draft epa study as proof that fracking is safe. Epa analysis of fracfocus 1 data fact sheet epas study of. A march 3, 2004, epa agenda titled hydraulic fracturing project status listed among the tasks soften conclusions and es, referring to the executive summary.
Environmental protection agency has released its final plan to study the effect of natural gas production through hydraulic fracturing techniques on drinkingwater resources. Epa analysis of fracfocus 1 data fact sheet epas study. Developing energy from shale is an advanced process that uses the latest drilling technologies and equipment. Nov 20, 2011 epa releases hydraulic fracturing study plan november 20, 2011 the u. Hydraulic fracturing study sp c lstate partner consultation 2. Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling are safely unlocking vast u. Through these case studies, the epa sought to identify whether there was an impact, and if so to better understand.
The epa report stated that there was scientific evidence that hydraulic fracturing activities can impact drinking water resources in the united states under some circumstances. A more comprehensive list of concerns reported to the epa during initial stakeholder meetings can be found in appendix c of the epa s plan to study the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources epa 600r11121. Epas study of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas and its potential impact on drinking water resources. Epa changes its stand on fracking, says it can harm drinking water in some.
Requests should include the epa document number found on the reports cover. Study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on. In addition to the fracturing water cycle, it is also important to consider the entire life cycle of water included in the processes of well construction, sand mining. Case studies for epas hydraulic fracturing study epas. Water quality health impact assessment of shale gas. Hydraulic fracturing drinking water assessment by the numbers. It is also true that the number of documented contamination events make up a small percentage of all wells. Hydraulic fracturing skip to main search results amazon prime. Unconventional oil and gas production not currently affecting drinking. Environmental protection agency epa to study the relation ship between hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas and drinking water in the united states.
In uturn, epa says fracking can pose a threat to drinking. Cancer and health risks from underground injection natural gas production, marcellus shale gas fracking and hydrofrac house committee report. Environmental protection agency will do a detailed study of hydraulic fracturing, the technique used to extract natural gas from dense shale formations, to determine whether it poses. Epa published research related to the hydraulic fracturing. It presents the facts as they are currently available and understood. Environmental protection agency epa has released its widely anticipated final report on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, confirming that the controversial drilling process indeed impacts drinking water under some circumstances. Epa launches national study of hydraulic fracturing. The study will follow the water used in the hydraulic fracturing process throughout its usage cycle from acquisition to treatment and disposal. On december, 2016, the environmental protection agency epa released a final report requested by congress in 2010 on the impact of hydraulic fracturing fracking on drinking water resources. Hydraulic fracturing is the process of drilling and injecting fluid into the. This report, which totaled almost one thousand pages, was undoubtedly read by very few people, but the news coverage was astounding.
It is extracted using a procedure called hydraulic fracturing. General works fracking hydraulic fracturing library. Results indicate that under the conditions of this study, for this specific location. The epa study on fracking and drinking water resources 2016. Shale gas is a type of natural gas that is found trapped within sedimentary rock. Netl releases hydraulic fracturing study department of energy. The goals of the study were to assess the po tential for activities in the hydraulic fracturing water cycle to impact the quality or quantity of drinking water resources. In 2010 congress requested that the environmental protection agency epa undertake a new, broader study of hydraulic fracturing. A crew works on a hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, gasdrilling rig at a well site for shalebased natural gas in zelienople, pa. Epa found in a highly anticipated study released today. Hydraulic fracturing drinking water assessment us epa. Hydraulic fracturing, the technique that birthed the energy boom, has not had a widespread impact on the quality of the countrys drinking water, according to a landmark study by the. Evaluation of impacts to underground sources of drinking.
Databases, films, books, and other resources on fracking and its impact. Hydraulic fracturing in the united states wikipedia. Scouring the epa report for statements proving or disproving that hydraulic fracturing is safe will surely reveal both. Responsible development of america s oil and gas resources offers important economic, energy security, and environmental benefits.
Department of energys national energy technology laboratory netl has released a technical report on the results of a limited field study that monitored a hydraulic fracturing operation in greene county, pa for upward fracture growth out of the target zone and upward gas and fluid migration. Hydraulic fracturing presentation linkedin slideshare. Hydraulic fracturing can contaminate drinking water but has not caused widespread impacts, u. Dec, 2016 in uturn, epa says fracking can pose a threat to drinking water last summer, in a draft report, the agency concluded hydraulic fracturing has no national widespread, systemic impact on drinking. Unconventional oil and natural gas development us epa. The study was hailed by the energy industry, which long has said theres no direct link between hydraulic fracturing and contamination of groundwater. A more comprehensive list of concerns reported to the epa during initial stakeholder meetings can be found in appendix c of the epas plan to study the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources epa600r11121. Hydraulic fracturing study in its fy2010 appropriations committee conference report, congress directed epa to study the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water, using. Multiagency collaboration on unconventional oil and gas research. Epa to study hydraulic fracturing san antonio expressnews. An infographic presenting the hydraulic fracturing drinking water assessment by the numbers. Notably, the report also removes the epas misleading line that fracking has not led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources.
It is true that water supplies have been contaminated by activities related to hydraulic fracturing. Jan 18, 2017 epa released the final report, hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas. Epa study finds fracking no threat to drinking water. Epa report on fracking raises more questions than answers. Our study of hydraulic fracturing and its potential impact on drinking water resources. Epa published research related to the hydraulic fracturing study. Epa released the final report, hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas. The handbook of hydraulic fracturings main goal is to alleviate much of the confusion that exists in regards to hydraulic fracturing. Dec 05, 2017 a march 3, 2004, epa agenda titled hydraulic fracturing project status listed among the tasks soften conclusions and es, referring to the executive summary. Epas study of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas and. Dec, 2016 epa conducts research to better understand the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water resources. Jan 02, 2020 epa hydraulic fracturing study archive epa report study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources pennsylvania resources. An overview of hydraulic fracturing and other formation stimulation technologies for shale gas production. Page 110 us environmental protection agency, 26 west martin luther king drive, cincinnati, oh 45268, telephone.
The epa found no evidence that hydraulic fracturing has led to widespread, systemic pollution to drinking water. As part of our study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas on drinking water resources, the epa conducted five retrospective case studies. Major epa fracking study downplayed risks to us water supply. Epa study of hydraulic fracturing and drinking water resources. Advocates for hydraulic fracturing argue that the final epa report. This report, which totaled almost one thousand pages, was undoubtedly read by very few people, but the news. Hydraulic fracturing is a procedure that can increase the flow of oil or gas from a well.
Jun, 2015 hydraulic fracturing, the technique that birthed the energy boom, has not had a widespread impact on the quality of the countrys drinking water, according to a landmark study by the. Epa study finds fracking causes no extensive pollution to. As for what fracking means to the united states the answers are security, economic growth and jobs, jobs, jobs. In the us, studies by the environmental protection agency, the massachusetts institutes of.
Books hydraulic fracturing libguides at harrisburg. The goal is to create a network of interconnected fractures that will serve as. An uptodate description of current and new hydraulic fracturing. Epa officials made critical lastminute changes to their presentation of a multiyear report on hydraulic fracturings impact on water supplies. Environmental protection agency epa is carrying out a study to specifically examine impact of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources.
Epas study of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas and its potential. It concludes with recommendations for further study and information to help guide best. Epa s study of hydraulic fracturing and its potential impact on drinking water resources. There is a strong need for innovation and the development of viable renewable energy sources. Dec, 2016 in the new report, the epa has identified cases of impacts on drinking water at each stage in the hydraulic fracturing water cycle. Hydraulic fracturing has been used in the oil and natural gas industry since the 1940s, producing more than 700 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 15 billion barrels of oil since the practice began. Epa reverses course, highlights fracking contamination of drinking. Page iii epas center for environmental research information, 26 west martin luther king drive, cincinnati, ohio, 45268.
The strategy also provides a means for exchanging information with. Fracturing no threat to groundwater houston chronicle. Environmental protection agency epa is carrying out a study to specifically examine impact of hydraulic fracturing on drinking. Study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. Hydraulic fracturing is conspicuously excluded from regulation under the sdwa. The epa report stated that there was scientific evidence that hydraulic fracturing activities can impact drinking water resources in the united. Epas study of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas and its. Impacts from the hydraulic fracturing water cycle on drinking water. Footage from the film gasland famously showed residents of dimock, pennsylvania, igniting water from their taps, arguably demonstrating that methane had migrated into their water sources during the fracking processes. To require certain procedures in the conduct by the environmental protection agency of its study of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. Now, two important things there first, it found no evidence.
Epa changes its stand on fracking, says it can harm drinking water. Epa has implemented a strategy that engages stakeholders in dialogue and provides opportunities for input on the study scope and case study locations. Titles and descriptions of the research projects conducted as part of the epa s. Hydraulic fracturing and safe drinking water act issues. It is done by pumping liquids down a well into subsurface rock units under pressures that are high enough to fracture the rock. Water quality health impact assessment of shale gas extraction. Epa conducts research to better understand the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water resources. In uturn, epa says fracking can pose a threat to drinking water. Epas study of hydraulic fracturing and its potential impact on drinking water resources. Hydraulic fracturing and water management in the great. Hydraulic fracturing is a well stimulation technique used to maximize production of oil and natural gas in unconventional reservoirs, such as shale, coalbeds, and tight sands.