Is the fallout from fracking another reason to prep?

[FLPrepper]

Is anyone familiar with the potential geological and other damage being caused by fracking? It seems obvious that the process is not environmentally friendly - earthquakes (albeit very minor) are now occuring with regularity throughout the midwestern states where this process is being implemented. Just another reason to stock up on prepper supplies in my mind - not that we need another!

 

[Arcticdude]

Is anyone familiar with the potential geological and other damage being caused by fracking? It seems obvious that the process is not environmentally friendly - earthquakes (albeit very minor) are now occuring with regularity throughout the midwestern states where this process is being implemented. Just another reason to stock up on prepper supplies in my mind - not that we need another!

I've been in the oil and gas business for a lot of years. Fracking is is a simple process of freeing up trapped o&g deposits, and occurs at least a couple miles underground. I don't believe that there is any connection between fracking and the extremely minor "quakes" that are being reported now. The controversy over fracking is more political than fact. I'm willing to bet that all the oversized people shopping in Walmart cause more quakes just by waddling around than fracking does.

 

[Danil54grl]

We had fracking in our area a few years ago, even put in a few rigs to harvest some natural gas. I have yet to even feel a quake.

 

[Gazrok]

Most fracking is done in unpopulated regions, so wouldn't think this would be too big of a concern even if it did cause such issues, which is pretty debatable. Fracking has basically allowed us to break the OPEC stranglehold we had been under. Without it, we'd still be paying $4 a gallon for gas. (or more).

 

[Warriorhealer22]

I used to frack and no matter how much we tell ourselves it is safe, never trust either side of the debate! We are removing gas from shale deposits, leaving just empty space. The water we used to send the sand and chemicals down to open up those spaces comes back out, so what's taking up that space now? Yes we drill down below the water table, way down below. Yes we shore up the hole we make very well, until the water, sand and chemicals are released. no one really watches what comes back up the hole when we were done fracking. And of course, if politicians are involved, never trust what they say!

 

[Brent S]

I used to frack and no matter how much we tell ourselves it is safe, never trust either side of the debate! We are removing gas from shale deposits, leaving just empty space. The water we used to send the sand and chemicals down to open up those spaces comes back out, so what's taking up that space now? Yes we drill down below the water table, way down below. Yes we shore up the hole we make very well, until the water, sand and chemicals are released. no one really watches what comes back up the hole when we were done fracking. And of course, if politicians are involved, never trust what they say!

I agree, I don't believe half of what either side, pro or con, say. Not to mention I'm pretty skeptical of what most politicians say. When there's money involved, both sides slant things to try and get their way. I've seen reports where people's water was contaminated by fracking. It is not safe in populated areas in my opinion. As far as remote areas, I'm ok with it. The problem is in the east there aren't too many remote areas.

 

[Danil54grl]

Well I am just hoping then. . . we have well water and I would hate to think that I will need to start boiling water for us and all our critters at a future date. . . that is a lot of water and hauling and I am getting old, but doable (at least at this time). Before the well, I hauled water in 55 gallon drums in the back of the truck to the livestock to dump in. The bull, Charlie, has since learned that he doesn't like trucks and does test the hot wire fence. Amazing how he can sense when it goes down. . . He has gotten out and did a number on a vehicle. 9 o'clock at night we got a phone call from the closest neighbor and then our neighbor went into the pasture to dump a load of brush to get burnt. Yep got his truck too.

 

[Arcticdude]

The problem with the fracking debate is that very few people understand the process so they are easily swayed when talk of ground water contamination comes up. Very few people understand ground water and oil and gas formations too. In some areas O&G seeps to the surface naturally and it does contaminate ground water. It's been going on for millions of years. Most drilling, fracking and oil production occurs thousands of feet below the water table.
The Left has used the fracking issue to scare people to be against energy production. It seems to be working.
The fracking fluid, which is mostly water and sand, is recovered and reused. Fracking is done where there are only small seams of trapped O&G rather than a large reservoir so there isn't any surface subsidence issues.
Myself personally I would not want to live anywhere near an oil and gas boom. I've seen first hand how it has ruined many small towns and farm lands. Not because of any kind of pollution but because of the development, influx of thousands of people, higher taxes and skyrocketing prices. I chose my place partly because there has never been any oil or gas found anywhere near here.

 

[Gazrok]

It is not safe in populated areas in my opinion. As far as remote areas, I'm ok with it.

Pretty much my take on it. Plenty of area in the Dakotas where they can frack and never impact a soul.... More oil than Saudi Arabia many times over....just there.

 

[Itakfule]

I don't think that it is something to worry about, mostly because i have never heard any bad review related to this factor!