Jesse Jenkins of the Energy Collective ponders the question. He reports as follows: According to the US Energy Information Administration 27,000 new gas wells were completed in the U.S. in 2011, many of which were horizontal wells implementing hydraulic fracturing. Each well consumes 5 million gallons of water per well for fracking and completion. He… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Hydraulic Fracturing
Subscribe to Hydraulic Fracturing RSS FeedA Look at Two Approaches to Oil and Gas Regulation
Posted in Energy Policy, Environmental Policy, Hydraulic FracturingThis is a tale of two regulatory schemes. First, there is the federal way, and I’m not making this up: In my last post we learned that if the BLM, when preparing its PRMP/FEIS (which in some incomprehensible way is different from a PRMP/EIS, but which nevertheless includes an RFD) which is issued by an EA and adopted… Continue Reading
Fracking Stymied on Federal Lands in California
Posted in Environmental Policy, Hydraulic FracturingIn an opinion with as many acronyms as the Dallas Cowboys have draft-pick detractors, a California federal court in Center For Biological Diversity v. Bureau of Land Management, held that the BLM violated the National Environmental Policy Act in its assessment of oil and gas leases on federal lands in California. A “FONSI” – a Finding of No Significant Impact… Continue Reading
Who’s Against Fracking and What are They Saying?
Posted in Energy Policy, Hydraulic Fracturing“Science is my most favorite subject, especially the Old Testament.” Kenneth, 30 Rock Keeping in mind the importance of science, technology, and transparency in evaluating the safety and reliability of fracking, let’s take a look at some of the leaders in the anti-fracking movement. The results are worthy of your attention. Displaying an understanding of science… Continue Reading
Two States – Two Approaches to Fracking
Posted in Hydraulic FracturingTwo states recently addressed regulation of hydraulic fracturing of gas wells in two radically different ways. Ohio The Ohio legislature has passed Senate Bill 315, to be signed by the governor, requiring reporting of information on all wells that are stimulated (If you go to the link, the new legislation is underlined). To summarize: Operators and contractors injecting substances into the… Continue Reading
EPA Cries “Uncle”
Posted in Hydraulic FracturingInvoking the spirit of Emily Litella, the Environmental Protection Agency offered a govenmental ”never mind” when it withdrew its emergency order that attempted to hold Range Resources responsible for contamination of drinking water on Parker County, Texas, well sites under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Those who have followed this case know that several investigations into the EPA’s assertions showed no link… Continue Reading
Fracking: Safe and Essential or an Environmental Hazard?
Posted in Hydraulic FracturingIf you were wondering whether the debate over the safety and effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing has entered our national conciousness, check this out: In a serious approach to the issue, the opinion magazine National Review recently joined in the conversation in a piece by Kevin Williamson, The Truth About Fracking – What the Protestors Don’t Know. The focus is on the Marcellus… Continue Reading
Texas Has Frac Fluid Disclosure Rules
Posted in Hydraulic FracturingEffective February 1, 2012, the Texas Railroad Commission implemented a new rule that will require operators and service and supply companies who disclose the chemical contents of fracking fluids. This rule implements a statute passed in the 2011 legislative session. The rule requires disclosure of the nature and content of additives and chemical ingredients used… Continue Reading