Natural gas extraction through hydraulic fracturing (fracking) involves the high pressure penetration of fluid into shale rock sites known as plays
Fracking produces shale gas, an unconventional fossil fuel
Technological advances helped fracking become cost effective in the mid 1990s
The energy mix of the USA has been transformed by shale gas
Some predictions show the USA as the world's largest hydrocarbon producer by 2020, overtaking Saudi Arabia and Russia
The UK government wants to promote shale gas production because North Sea gas production is in terminal decline
In France, fracking has been banned due to health concerns

How is it done?

At drilling sites the water, sand and chemical mix is injected vertically and horizontally to depths of 3km
The process triggers tiny explosions that disintergrate the hard shale to release methane gas trapped inside. The gas flows out to the head of the well
Enormous amounts of waste water are generated by the process

	Created by Caitlyn Grayston about 7 years ago

A-Level Geography (A Level Energy Security) Note on Fracking, created by Caitlyn Grayston on 03/06/2017.