8 Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydrofracking

Hydrofracking or hydraulic fracturing is a method used to extract natural gas from underneath the earth. Although this has been practiced for decades, this process still faces a lot of contentions between supporters and critics. Although natural gas is still fossil fuel, it is considered to be cleaner than using coal or oil to produce energy. On the other hand, it also has not impressed critics. Here is a list of the positive and negative effects of hydrofracking.

List of Advantages of Hydrofracking

1. It increases shale gas reserve.
The United States have relied on other countries for petroleum and natural gas but with hyfrofracking, there have been an increase of shale gas reserves. This is a great advantage since this makes the U.S. self-reliant and can even be exporters of natural gas in the future.

2. It opens job opportunities.
Another reason that makes this technique beneficial is its capability to open available jobs for the average Americans who will be workers in the sites. Hundreds, if not thousands of jobs will be created for hydrofracking sites in different departments, from workers to administrative jobs.

3. It is a source of useful energy.
If hydrofracking is not being practiced these days, it will be hard to have access to natural gas and can be expensive. However, since this is already on-going in several states, supply is available and can even be in abundance.

4. It can be used to produce drinking water.
Hydrofracking can also be used to revitalize wells that can be sources for drinking water. Wells that provide water can run dry but with this process, these can be used again and of use to the people of the community.

List of Disadvantages of Hydrofracking

1. It can harm the environment.
During the process, there will be tankers needed that be on the roads most parts of the day and this can last for months. These trucks emit carbon from their pipes which can be spread in the air and add to the green gases that cause global warming.

2. It can cause accidents.
Given the nature of the job and the chemicals used to create the liquid to be injected into the ground, occurrence of accidents are most likely to happen such as explosion and injuries from the use of heavy equipment.

3. It can contaminate drinking water.
Local communities not in favor of hydraulic fracturing express their concern that leaks can happen and the chemicals might also enter the main water supply if these pipes are accidentally hit during the drilling. If this happens, the health of the people can be put in danger from drinking contaminated water.

4. It causes seismic activities.
Hydrofracking involves drilling into the depths of the earth. Constant drilling activities can create too much pressure and eventually unidentified fault lines. And since this also involves cracking rock formations using high pressure and chemicals, earthquakes in the area are possible.

Although the government supports hydrofracking, there are states who are opposing it because of the possible harm it can bring. It is important to ensure that the advantages are more in number than the disadvantages and for contractors and workers to be extra careful when applying this method.