The Controversy of Fracking and Tar Sands

The Controversy of Fracking and Tar Sands

By Nilda Cruz-Acevedo

March 2, 2013

The controversy in the news about Fracking and Tar Sands is related to the methods of extracting fossil fuels along with the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) found in its emissions of methane. To understand how it emits the VOCs we must first understand what Fracking is what product it produces and how it affects the environment. We must also know what is Tar Sands, what product it products, how affects the environment. Once we understand the what Fracking and Tar Sands is and the products it produces along with the affects of the environment, we can determine what the controversy is we can formulate an opinion or come up with possible solutions.

The simplest explanation for Fracking is the extraction of natural gas or oil from shale rocks. There are five Shale Basins in the United States, Bakken Shale, Barnett Shale, Eagle Ford, Haysnesville Shale, and Marcellus Share. Bakken, Barnett and Eagle Ford Shale contain gas and oil. Haynesville and Marcellus contain gas. “Fracking is hydraulic fracturing it is the process of drilling for natural gas and oil underneath the ground. Water mixed with other components is pumped into the ground to create cracks (also referred to as fissures or fractures) to release the gas into wells that have been built for collection. (WhatIsFracking, 2013)Fracking is possible by the developments in technology like 3D imaging which scientist use to determine precise locations for drilling. There are two ways to do the drilling Horizontal and Vertical. Horizontal drilling allows for the injection of highly pressurized fluids into the shale area. (Flatley, 2012) The ingredients of pressurized Fracking fluids emit VOCs into the air along with large amounts of water waste that contaminate the streams, rivers, lakes in the community. The latter of Fracking is the controversy.

Tar Sands is a natural mixture of sand, clay, and water saturated with a form of...