There is no difference between fracking and hydraulic fracturing; "fracking" is simply the common, shortened term for "hydraulic fracturing." Both terms refer to the exact same industrial process used primarily to extract natural gas and oil from deep underground rock formations.
Understanding Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)
Hydraulic fracturing is a method employed by drilling operators to access hydrocarbons, such as natural gas and oil, trapped within dense rock formations, particularly shale. This complex process involves several key steps:
- Deep Well Drilling: Wells are drilled deep into the earth, often thousands of feet, and then extended horizontally within the target shale layer.
- Fluid Injection: A high-pressure mixture, commonly referred to as "fracking fluid," is then pumped into these horizontally drilled wells. This fluid typically consists of:
- Water: The primary component, often comprising over 90% of the fluid.
- Sand: Proppants (like sand) are suspended in the water to hold open the fractures once pressure is released.
- Chemicals: A precise mix of chemicals is added to the fluid to serve various purposes, such as reducing friction, preventing bacterial growth, or enhancing the fluid's ability to carry sand.
- Rock Fracturing: The immense pressure of the injected fluid causes the surrounding shale rock to crack and fracture. These induced fractures create pathways.
- Hydrocarbon Release: Once the shale is fractured, the natural gas or oil that was previously trapped within the dense rock can flow more freely through these newly created pathways and up the well to the surface for collection.
Essentially, "hydraulic fracturing" describes the technical name of the process, highlighting the use of hydraulic pressure to create fractures. "Fracking" is the colloquial term that has gained widespread use in public discourse and media due to its conciseness.
