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The Facts
Although the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) techniques most commonly used today in the completions phase of well development became widely known in the 1990s, the first attempt to apply fracturing technology was fifty years prior in the 1940s. Since its invention, innovations and technological developments have helped perfect this technique. Today, fracking is one of the safest and most tested methods to produce oil and natural gas in the world, and as such, is used to complete the majority of new U.S. wells.
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The Facts
State and federal regulation over fracking and the entire oil and gas development process holds operators to the highest health, safety and environmental standards. In Texas, oil and gas development is regulated by the Railroad Commission of Texas and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. On a federal level, multiple agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Bureau of Land Management regulate various parts of the development process.
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The Facts
Water used in energy development amounts to a little more than one percent of all water used in Texas. Water used for fracking specifically amounts to only about 0.5 percent. Additionally, natural gas-fired electricity generation saves far more water than what’s used during production, including water used for hydraulic fracturing, or ‘fracking.’ When compared to other major sources of baseload power, natural gas uses between 60 and 70 percent less water.
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The Facts
Over 99 percent of fracking fluid is water and sand. The other additives are often things you’ll also find under your kitchen sink. One of the most prevalent additives is guar, which is an emulsifying agent that’s also found in ice cream, toothpaste, and numerous other products. Companies operating in Texas are required to disclose their fracking fluid solutions on FracFocus.org.
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The Facts
Shale gas has played a key role in diminishing climate change-related emissions, helping the U.S. meeting its mitigation targets. Electricity production derived from natural gas emits 50 to 60 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) than coal. Likewise, natural gas emits 15 to 20 percent less heat-trapping gases than gasoline when used as a fuel for vehicles.
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The Facts
Natural gas helps guarantee a steady and reliable power supply when renewables can’t meet energy demand. A study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that there is nearly a one-to-one relationship between an increase in renewable energy capacity and an increase in natural gas capacity. In other words, natural gas and renewables are complementary sources on the power grid – securing savings and reduced air emissions for the American people.
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The Facts
Nationwide, methane emissions have decreased 6.6 percent since 2005 and 18 percent since 1990. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has noted that the reduced emissions from natural gas systems are “largely due to a decrease in emissions from distribution, transmission and storage, processing, and exploration.” In Texas, only a small fraction of natural gas produced is vented or flared. Moreover, from 2011 to 2018, Permian Basin operators alone have reduced methane emissions intensity by nearly 64 percent. In that same time period, oil and gas production in the Permian increased by over 210 percent.
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The Facts
The U.S. Geological Survey reports that it is “extremely rare” for fracking to cause a felt seismic event. In cases, where oil and gas operations have been potentially linked to earthquakes, injection wells are more likely to be the cause. But that is also incredibly rare – USGS explains “most wastewater injection wells are not associated with felt earthquakes.” Out of an abundance of caution, disposal well permits are now often issued with additional conditions and requirements, such as reducing injection volumes and pressures.
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The Facts
Fracking has saved the average American family thousands of dollars over the years. Shale gas and tight oil produced from fracking has provided U.S. families with lower electricity bills and lower gasoline prices thanks to its steady, reliable supply. According to a 2019 economic study by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology using natural gas for heating versus electric heating saved families an additional $937.
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