Hydraulic Fracturing Explained

This assignment delves into the process of hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking. It explores the techniques involved, including injecting water, sand, and chemicals into rock formations to release trapped oil and gas. The document also discusses the historical development, geological context, and environmental concerns associated with hydraulic fracturing.

Running Head: HYDRAULIC FRACTURING IN THE NT 1
Hydraulic Fracturing in the NT
Name
Institutional Affiliation

HYDRAULIC FRACTURING IN THE NT 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract............................................................................................................................................3
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Hydraulic Fracturing in the NT.......................................................................................................5
Potentiality of using Hydraulic Fracturing in the NT......................................................................5
Hydraulic Fracturing and the Environment.....................................................................................7
Impacts on Farming Operations.......................................................................................................7
Impacts on ground water.................................................................................................................8
Chemicals used................................................................................................................................9
Wastewater......................................................................................................................................9
Impacts on the water in the NT......................................................................................................10
Pollution of Air..............................................................................................................................10
Socioeconomic Impacts.................................................................................................................11
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................11
References......................................................................................................................................13
Appendices....................................................................................................................................16

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Abstract
In the effort of finding new ways of supplementing source of energy with the current
danger of exhaustion of the available gas and oil, the NT government seeks to introduce
hydraulic Fracturing, a method commonly used to mine hydrocarbon deposits that lie
underneath. This paper aims at exploring the perspective or the potentiality of employing the
utilization of this approach in extracting hydrocarbon deposits in the Northern Territory, Darwin
city in Australia. It goes deep into looking at the impacts arising from hydraulic fracturing on
farming activities, the quality of water underground as well as other activities surrounding the
area of concern. Is the government decision of suspending hydraulic fracturing a good idea?
These are some of the questions that will be tackled by the paper including giving my personal
opinion on the same. Key words: (NT, Hydraulic Fracturing, methane, Carbon deposits, etc.)
Introduction
Hydraulic fracturing is a method or rather a technique that is usually used in the
production of gas from the ground eccentrically (illustration on figure 1). This is known to be
one of the relatively cheaper methods of extracting gas from underground reservoirs as just
involves the use of stimulation technique like hydraulic fracturing in collaboration with other
technology. The reason behind this is that the gas is extracted does not merely in real
underground location, but it is dispersed in rocks (Laubach et al., 2004).
However, this marks the latest discovery in gas extraction as this method was hardly
there before the dawn of the 1980s. With the invention of this new method, potential areas for
mining gas have been revealed. The primary concern for this paper was not going to giving a

HYDRAULIC FRACTURING IN THE NT 4
detailed procedure of how this method is done, nevertheless by providing a summary of how it is
done as a hint of likely environmental effects it may pose.
It is a common knowledge that mining is very vital economic activity as it contributes a
huge percentage of the economy in the concerned state. Mining products have a very high
demand for almost every part of the world hence hydraulic fracturing is no exception (Mader,
1989). There is always the debate on whether to do mining activities at the expense of the
environment and vice versa. Mining operations and in this case fracturing have different effects
on the environment as well the living things around.
With the Northern Territory of Australia, the same is being experienced. An alarm has
been raised by the people living around this area that despite promoting the rapid economic
growth of the region, it is causing adverse effects that impact on their health. Bearing in mind
that, a majority of people living around this area inherited the land from their fore fathers; a
solution has to be put in place as relocating them would be difficult due to their attachment to
their land. Moreover, the lesson can be drawn from other areas of the world where such was or is
practiced.
Hydraulic Fracturing in the NT
Before a project kicks off, there has to be thorough research to collect data on the stand of
the local community inhabiting the area. This is because the community plays a critical role in
determining whether a project is to be established within their locality. The government of the
northern territory announced an independent scientific body, which would be delegated with the
duty of making an inquiry on hydraulic fracturing of onshore reservoirs.

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The main aim of the investigation was to look at possible effects, which the process
might cause namely, social, environmental, and economic risks. Justice Rachel Pepper was the
chair of the panel, which comprised of 10 scientists. These scientists were chosen as per area of
specialization and considering the various fields affected by the project. Hence, water, geology,
ecology, health, sociology, and engineering were the areas of choice. The overall process of
identifying and securing the gas reservoirs was approximated to be $7 as quoted from Mr.
McLeod the chairperson of Imperial gas and oil during the time.
Potentiality of using Hydraulic Fracturing in the NT
After the body, which was made to make, inquiry finished its work, feedback from the
local community and key stakeholders were yet to come. In between this period, there has been
heated debate on whether fracturing is to continue or cease with immediate effect. There has
been a controversy between the government in power and the labor party in that the government
is for the implementation of the project in the northern territory (Mader, 1989). On the other
hand, the NT labor party strongly opposes this, and even in its manifesto for the next election, it
highlights and puts it clear that once they are elected into power, they will make sure that the
project is banned for good.
The elections are held, and the winning team is the NT labor party. Now the question
arises here, are they going to implement their promise to the people on the project? These are
some of the major concerns. Probably the government would suspend the operation of the
fracturing for a particular period or rather ban it for good. This remains unanswered. From this
entire scenario, it is very much evident that the hydraulic fracturing case is becoming more of a
political issue. This is because the decision of the government in power is the determinant of

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whether the project is to continue or not. However, there is a glimpse of hope as the new
government had promised a positive decision to its citizen when it gains power and hence this
gives a hint of new dawn.
As earlier on mentioned, local community inhabiting the area around the project have a
hand on the citing of any project in their area. Many people vehemently opposed the
implementation of the plant bearing in mind that the negative outcomes outweigh the positive
ones. They only waited for a savior who would guide them in revolting against it, and in this
case, NT labor party came to their rescue when they said they would ensure it come to an end.
As a result, NT Labor party won, and this implies many citizens were opposed to it.
On the same note, the committee chosen to investigate the impacts of the hydraulic
fracturing to the Northern territory would bring it to light the dangers the project is likely to
cause on the water sources, the ecosystem, and many other activities.
Hydraulic Fracturing and the Environment
The primary target of hydraulic fracturing is to extract gas from shale in the NT, and this
is likely to cause adverse effects to the environment (Gill, 2010). According to report carried out
to investigate the possible consequences of this process, shale gas extraction process may be a
threat to the environment. However, potential risks to the environment can be reduced or rather
minimized through robust management regulations.
In our case here, we still do not have well established strong rules that can act as surety
that this process will be controlled effectively. Moreover, can this regulations help in monitoring
the effects associated with this project in its lifetime?

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Below is a breakdown of likely effects of Hydraulic Fracturing on various environmental
aspects;
Impacts on Farming Operations
It is approximated that, a significant portion of Northern Territory would be put into
mining operations and hence this is will affect the local farmers around the place because they
will be forced to abandon their land and pave the way for mining operations (Zoback, 2007).
They would not have a say because they would be compensated for their lands, but this would
have affected their farming activities in one way or the other. Large scale farming will be turned
into small size simply because much of the land would be used for the activities such as packing
of equipment, processing plants, feeder roads for accessing the mines just to name a few.
Moreover, the remaining farmers will have to face the effects of the project at large
extent. For instance, oil spills, as well as gas from leaking pipes, have negative impacts on the
soils. This means that the soil fertility in the NT will decline drastically. This will be a result of it
changing to acidic and losing critical components like nitrates, phosphate, and carbon.
In addition, methane, which is an element of this process, is known for its effects in that
pipes from the project running all over the NT may leak affecting the bacterial composition of
the soil, which in turn affects the plant’s ability to fix free nitrogen.
Impacts on ground water
Water is a major component of this project; however, this process causes intense effects
on the water that lies on the ground. This is because most of the gas and oil are not controlled
adequately, and this results to spillage, which in turn contaminates the water. In addition,

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disposal of waste products from the plant pollutes water too. Water contaminated by methane is
known to result in blowing off buildings.
Information from a trusted source says that NT is ranked amongst the regions with clean
water all over the world. With the proposed establishment of this project, things are likely to
change notably. For one the gas from the project is likely to modify the taste and smell of the
water because of the toxic chemicals that would be released to the ground water. On the same
note, livestock of the people of the region is also to be affected as they often drink surface water,
which is contaminated by fluids from the fracking process. In addition, the grass the grass is no
exception, and hence this would lead to illness or death.
Since the politicians are the one to make the critical decisions on this, they should resolve
to bear in mind that whatever they put into actions affects the people of Northern Territory either
negatively or positively. They should be sensitive to people as well as livestock lives than
allowing such practices to take place.
Chemicals used
Normally this process involves a combination of several chemicals for it to be fruitful.
The main constituents are water, sand and other chemicals, which are pumped into the
underground aiming at dismantling rocks to release oil and natural gas (Zoback, M.D. 2007).
Most of these ingredients pose a threat to the environment in one way or the other. With our case
of NT, we are uncertain which chemical would be used, but any of the above chemicals are to be
used. U.S.A is one of the known regions in the world where this is practiced published a report
that indicated about 100% of the chemicals used in fracturing were deadly to the environment

HYDRAULIC FRACTURING IN THE NT 9
and life of people. Northern territory is no different as the same chemicals are the one to be
employed in operation.
Wastewater
Like other mining processes, hydraulic fracturing involves a broad range of waste
released into either water bodies or the environment outside. As previously mentioned, this
process requires large amounts of water, and hence large quantities of water are given out as
waste. It is quite unfortunate much of this waste is directed to the surface where human activities
like farming and livestock rearing take place (Fjaer, 2008). The constituents of this waste water
are always toxic chemicals, heavy metals and also radioactive materials.
If the project is to come to life, the people of the Northern region should be ready to face
a couple of problems associated with fracturing. The wild animals, livestock in the area, will all
be victims of the same. To add on the same, NT is characterized by floods and storms as this
may worsen the situation by making it so risky.
Impacts on the water in the NT
Hydraulic fracturing is likely to cause water competition in the region. Bearing in mind
that fracturing requires massive gallons of water, in fact, it is approximated that the amount
required is about 11-34 million liters, it translates to that water shortage may be experienced.
Putting into consideration that other activities need water in the NT, a relentless pressure is
expected to be put the region’s underground water sources. Moreover, other factors are likely to
affect water availability like current climatic changes due to global warming just to mention a
few.

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Pollution of Air
In the process of Fracturing, dangerous gases, which include carbon dioxide, sulfur
dioxide, are emitted to the atmosphere (Jared, 2013). All these gases are harmful and affect the
quality of air in both the location area and those surrounding it. Emission of these gases is known
to bring serious health problems. People in NT region leaving few kilometers are the one to face
it rough. Also, those not near to the plant are not exceptional. Research conducted in the USA
show that severe respiratory problem report with people inhabiting the area around the plant.
Animals are also to face the same consequences as people.
Socioeconomic Impacts
Implementation of the project is likely to bring with it some social and economic issues.
Firstly, people would relocate from the region to other areas to pave the way for the project.
Moreover, the establishment of the project means that the NT region would change into a mining
center hence the standards of living are bound to increase. As a result, people who cannot afford
to meet new charges on rent, water, electricity, and sewage.
Furthermore, demographic change is likely to be witnessed, as people would flock to the
area to search for jobs. In many cases, like this one people are taken from outside the region
hence this means reoccupation of the NT region by new faces (Patel, Tara.31 March 2011). As
was the case with the United States where water sources were contaminated to any extent that the
company in concern provided water to the communities in bottles, the same is likely to be
witnessed in the NT region.

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Conclusion
Am made to believe and support the suspension of hydraulic fracturing. As to me, this is
a good idea. In life we are living today, there are things that we cannot exchange for money
hence the saying ‘money is not everything. From the above explanation on the possible dangers
fracturing, it is true beyond doubts that this process has various effects almost to every sphere of
life.
With the fact that approximately ¾ of NT region would be put under mining operation
and to be specific, hydraulic fracturing, this is vividly clear that potential harm would be exposed
to people living around this area. Firstly, people who have been used to clean water will now
begin using water that is contaminated by toxic chemicals from the plant. Fresh water in the NT
region has been contributing to the economic welfare of the people here regarding agriculture
and other activities (IEA (29 May 2012).
After the kick off the plant, agriculture would be affected in that the fertility of the soil
would be altered by the dangerous chemicals that are disposed on the surface from the fracturing
process. Disposal of harmful chemical into the ground is known to have impacts on the
concentration of soil minerals and nitrates. As a result, the plant would not be able to absorb the
required amount of growth.
Fracturing will lead to severe health problem to the people of NT as well animals leaving
around this area. Respiratory complications are likely to be reported simply because pollutants
would contaminate the air beyond doubts. Bioaccumulation is at this moment to be witnessed,
which would result in a build up to toxic chemicals and radioactive elements.

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Erosion of soil and possible compaction of soil is another, which cannot be left un
explained. Movement of heavy trucks from the site makes the soil packed together hence farmers
would find it hard to restore the original state of the land (King, 2012).
Just to sum up, this report paper has sought and answered the question of concern which
is, is the imposition of Moratorium or suspension of hydraulic activities in the NT region a good
idea or not. I tend to believe that the answer is without a compromise a “yes.” Having
highlighted the possible threats that this project would have to both the locals and the
environment at large, it will not be an excellent idea at all. Despite the economic implications the
project would bring, it is not a sound and a safer one to the lives of people.
I at this moment recommend the use of renewable source of energy and in this case a
green one because it is cost-effective and has less or no effects on the environment.

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Appendices
Figure 1. The process of hydraulic Fracturing (water, chemicals, and sand)

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