WHAT THE “FRACK” IS GOING ON?

(CLEAN WATER ACTION, Jay Kimball)

(Energy Depth, Commonwealth Foundation)

(Bill Maher, Frazer Chronicle)

 

I watched last night, with some interest, the Bill Maher H.B.O. political-satirical episode number 285 and the usual run of debates, humor, (some of which was raunchy) and more important discussion on the issues of the day. I’m waiting for a discovery and an initial guest spot!

 

Much the same as global warming, the Keystone XL pipeline, fracking has been exposed as a lethal threat to human-kind. Okay the process that goes into global warming, the proposed pipeline, and fracking creates jobs, that is a given, and typically I could care less about what kind of legacy I leave, (I hope my carbon foot-print is DEEP), but don’t haze me with denials about the downside of the industries that are obviously harmful to us.

 

Common sense tells any normal human being (you know, the guy or gal who goes to work every day, listens to the radio, watches Fox News on the television, and reads a bit more then the sports section of the local newspaper), has to understand that all the smoke going up into the air, the possibility of pipeline leaks, and pumping hundreds of thousands of gallons of some sort of solution into the ground has consequences…..it’s just a law of nature.

 

To disregard these facts makes you a buffoon, and as the word describes, a clown, the village idiot…..and nobody wants to be the village idiot. Many people in the legislature, local, state and at the federal level aren’t stupid…..they are watching out for number one, and in many instances do not represent their constituents, rather big brother, those captains of industry who sit in smoke-filled rooms late at night and map out the future of business in the United States, and basically around the world.

 

WHAT THE “FRACK” IS FRACKING

First off, its HYDRAULIC FRACTURING, or (fracking), it was initially invented by Floyd Farris and J.B. Clark who worked for Stanolind Oil & Gas Corporation of Midland, Texas by in 1947. Stanolind is still doing business in the exploration business today, and does billions of dollars worth of work every year.

 

In simple terms, which I am all about for obvious reasons, is a process used by energy companies to, first bore a drill-hole sometimes as deep as 5000’ vertically, and then horizontally to as much distance as vertically. This operation is an effort to extract natural gas from oil shale from the earth.

 

If natural gas is found, the drill hole is injected with concrete which encases the drill pipe and extraction of the natural element can began. Where does the fracking liquid go, well here’s the rub…..it stays in the ground, the same ground and rock formations that contains our potable water supply.

 

Now…..according to the exploration companies like Stanolind and Halliburton that are driven by…..a bottom line mentality of…..money, there is absolutely no danger to drinking water, or water to take baths, showers, and for the one thousand and one other uses that we take for granted every day of our lives.

 

The main technology used in the process is fluid pressure which delivers the product to the surface, so besides the cocktail of 78 different chemicals used, most of which I can’t say, spell, have ever heard of, and have absolutely no idea of what health impact they pose, I will be the baby’s milk money that at least one of these solutions is harmful to human beings.

 

Hydraulic fracking actually fractures rocks at great depths as the drilling process seeks whatever depth is required as established by engineers, geologists and rock mechanics. At these great depths, (in simple terms), exploration companies are searching for natural gas to be forced to the surface, loaded into tankers and shipped to refineries to be made into products that are made available to the consumer.    

 

This fracking process was invented in the United States, therefore the only experience with regards to the history of the industry rests right here in America. Basically there is no track record with regards to the safety of potable water or damage to either environment or the health problems that might accompany Fracking.

 

To a degree the media has picked up on the issue and began some in-depth observations around the country. There have been two documentaries produced by private parties which seem to depict problems above ground as well as below with natural gas wells. I’m not sure, but burning tap water in people’s kitchens might be relevant to the subject, but the natural gas industry poo-poo’s the documents as unreliable.

 

I HAVE A GAS WELL

Okay, so I, along with my brother-in-laws and wife have leased 78.9 acres of possible natural gas resources to a development company who is supposed to represent us all in the possibility of establishing a gas well. There was drilling on the same piece of property back in the early 70’s with no results, but they were only going down to around 1500’, today the depth is 5000’ and more.

 

So I personally have been a champion of fracking, exploration, and the discovery of natural gas and shale oil, hell, I think it’s a great opportunity to become rich. I’ve already picked out a black Cadillac Escalade to tool around in, and if the well really produces, I won’t be driving; it’ll be a chauffeur with a blue uniform and those little umpire looking hats.

 

I guess there’s some kind of hold-up because we lack 1.1 acres to have an eighth of a section of ground, (a section is 640 acres), but I’m sure it’s just a technicality, and things can be worked out…..probably with some of the money that we’ll be making from our gas well.

 

Seriously though, I’m sure that disturbing the rock formations, and depending on concrete and steel to protect our drinking water is a rather foolhardy way to look at things…..but what the hell, you only live once, and anyways I won’t have to worry about drinking water when my gas well comes in!

 

HAVE A NICE DAY!