The natural gas industry in the United States has been transformed in recent years from an expensive and flagging business to a vast and lively source for domestic energy and jobs. The players responsible? Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. These new extraction techniques have brought natural gas prices to their lowest levels in over a decade, but not without concerns from American citizens and the EPA.
The amount of resources needed to extract natural gas using these methods is great, with thousands of gallons of freshwater and chemicals being processed at every well. Because some of these materials are potentially harmful, drilling contractors are taking extensive precautionary measures to ensure that our nation’s drinking water remains fresh and free of contamination.
Fresh drinking water often comes from natural aquifers located just below the surface of the earth. However, the natural gas we seek is usually much deeper, anywhere from several hundred to 10,000 feet below the surface. The drilling well pipelines are coated with several layers of interlocking steel and concrete, creating an impervious barrier between the fresh water and the natural gas. Advanced methods in hydraulic fracturing have led to a significant decline in the number of reported contaminations since 2010, indicating the birth of a clean and safe source of natural energy for America.
