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Are other countries using hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas extraction?

Yes, hydraulic fracturing is being used extensively in Canada and is increasingly being used in countries in Asia, Europe, and South America.

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USGS scientist collecting water samples on a wastewater disposal facility

Can hydraulic fracturing impact the quality of groundwater or surface water?

Conducted properly, hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) has little possibility of contaminating water supplies. Properly constructed wells prevent drilling fluids, hydraulic fracturing fluids, deep saline formation waters, or oil and gas from entering aquifers. Carefully constructed and operated well sites have the ability to contain potential spills and minimize runoff into surface waters.As...

link

Can hydraulic fracturing impact the quality of groundwater or surface water?

Conducted properly, hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) has little possibility of contaminating water supplies. Properly constructed wells prevent drilling fluids, hydraulic fracturing fluids, deep saline formation waters, or oil and gas from entering aquifers. Carefully constructed and operated well sites have the ability to contain potential spills and minimize runoff into surface waters.As...

Learn More
link
Oil and Gas Wastewater Disposal Facility in West Virginia

How and where do drillers dispose of waste hydraulic fracturing fluid?

Most of the water and additives used in hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) remain deep underground in the geologic formation from which the oil or gas is being extracted. But some of the fluid, mixed with water or brine from the formation, returns through the well to the surface and is referred to as “produced water”. After a well is brought on-line, large volumes of produced water (primarily...

link

How and where do drillers dispose of waste hydraulic fracturing fluid?

Most of the water and additives used in hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) remain deep underground in the geologic formation from which the oil or gas is being extracted. But some of the fluid, mixed with water or brine from the formation, returns through the well to the surface and is referred to as “produced water”. After a well is brought on-line, large volumes of produced water (primarily...

Learn More
link
Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Drill Site

How does hydraulic fracturing affect the surface or landscape of an area?

An area undergoing production of oil or gas using hydraulic fracturing technology shares many features with areas where conventional oil or gas is being developed, including:RoadsPipelinesCompressor stationsProcessing facilities.Features that are unique to areas in which hydraulic fracturing is used include:Fewer but larger drilling pads, both to accommodate the equipment needed to conduct the...

link

How does hydraulic fracturing affect the surface or landscape of an area?

An area undergoing production of oil or gas using hydraulic fracturing technology shares many features with areas where conventional oil or gas is being developed, including:RoadsPipelinesCompressor stationsProcessing facilities.Features that are unique to areas in which hydraulic fracturing is used include:Fewer but larger drilling pads, both to accommodate the equipment needed to conduct the...

Learn More
link
Image: Perforating Gun for Hydraulic Fracturing

How does hydraulic fracturing differ from traditional petroleum development methods?

In a conventional oil or gas field, where the oil or gas is in relatively porous and permeable rock (i.e. the pores are connected), the oil or gas can usually flow naturally from the reservoir rock to the wellbore. Nonetheless, a variety of techniques are often used to improve the flow of oil or gas, including hydraulic fracturing. Rock formations that are very impermeable require artificially...

link

How does hydraulic fracturing differ from traditional petroleum development methods?

In a conventional oil or gas field, where the oil or gas is in relatively porous and permeable rock (i.e. the pores are connected), the oil or gas can usually flow naturally from the reservoir rock to the wellbore. Nonetheless, a variety of techniques are often used to improve the flow of oil or gas, including hydraulic fracturing. Rock formations that are very impermeable require artificially...

Learn More
link
Research has identified 17 areas in the central and eastern United States with increased rates of induced seismicity.

How is hydraulic fracturing related to earthquakes and tremors?

Reports of hydraulic fracturing causing felt earthquakes are extremely rare. However, wastewater produced by wells that were hydraulic fractured can cause “induced” earthquakes when it is injected into deep wastewater wells.Wastewater disposal wells operate for longer durations and inject much more fluid than the hydraulic fracturing operations. Wastewater injection can raise pressure levels in...

link

How is hydraulic fracturing related to earthquakes and tremors?

Reports of hydraulic fracturing causing felt earthquakes are extremely rare. However, wastewater produced by wells that were hydraulic fractured can cause “induced” earthquakes when it is injected into deep wastewater wells.Wastewater disposal wells operate for longer durations and inject much more fluid than the hydraulic fracturing operations. Wastewater injection can raise pressure levels in...

Learn More
link
Image: Withdrawing Water for Hydraulic Fracturing

How much water does the typical hydraulically fractured well require?

There isn’t really a “typical” fractured well because the amount of water used depends on the rock formation, the operator, whether the well is vertical or horizontal, and the number of portions (or stages) of the well that are fractured. In addition, some water is recycled from fluids produced by the well, so the net consumption might be smaller at sites that recycle.Water use per well can be...

link

How much water does the typical hydraulically fractured well require?

There isn’t really a “typical” fractured well because the amount of water used depends on the rock formation, the operator, whether the well is vertical or horizontal, and the number of portions (or stages) of the well that are fractured. In addition, some water is recycled from fluids produced by the well, so the net consumption might be smaller at sites that recycle.Water use per well can be...

Learn More
link
Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Operation Underway

What environmental issues are associated with hydraulic fracturing?

The actual practice of hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) is only a small part of the overall process of drilling, completing, and producing an oil and gas well.Environmental issues that are specifically related to hydraulic fracturing include:water availabilityspills of chemicals at the surfaceimpacts of sand mining for use in the hydraulic fracturing processsurface water quality degradation...

link

What environmental issues are associated with hydraulic fracturing?

The actual practice of hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) is only a small part of the overall process of drilling, completing, and producing an oil and gas well.Environmental issues that are specifically related to hydraulic fracturing include:water availabilityspills of chemicals at the surfaceimpacts of sand mining for use in the hydraulic fracturing processsurface water quality degradation...

Learn More
link
Generalized image showing the key points in hydraulic fracturing

What is hydraulic fracturing?

Hydraulic fracturing, informally referred to as “fracking,” is an oil and gas well development process that typically involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals under high pressure into a bedrock formation via the well. This process is intended to create new fractures in the rock as well as increase the size, extent, and connectivity of existing fractures. Hydraulic fracturing is a well...

link

What is hydraulic fracturing?

Hydraulic fracturing, informally referred to as “fracking,” is an oil and gas well development process that typically involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals under high pressure into a bedrock formation via the well. This process is intended to create new fractures in the rock as well as increase the size, extent, and connectivity of existing fractures. Hydraulic fracturing is a well...

Learn More
link
Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Sand

What is in the fluid injected into the ground during hydraulic fracturing?

In general, hydraulic fracturing fluid is composed of water, proppant (typically sand), and chemicals. A public website known as FracFocus has been established by industry that lists specific materials used in many, but not all, hydraulically fractured wells. Individual companies select a few chemicals to be used from hundreds that are available and the fluids are tailored to the rocks they are...

link

What is in the fluid injected into the ground during hydraulic fracturing?

In general, hydraulic fracturing fluid is composed of water, proppant (typically sand), and chemicals. A public website known as FracFocus has been established by industry that lists specific materials used in many, but not all, hydraulically fractured wells. Individual companies select a few chemicals to be used from hundreds that are available and the fluids are tailored to the rocks they are...

Learn More
link
Image shows USGS scientists standing beside a drill rig in protective gear.

What is the USGS role related to hydraulic fracturing?

The USGS is a science research agency with no regulatory, land management, or enforcement powers.The USGS role includes:research and assessments on the location, quantity, and quality of unconventional oil and gas resources whose production could involve hydraulic fracturing. Resource assessments estimate the quantity of oil and gas that is yet to be discovered but that could be recovered using...

link

What is the USGS role related to hydraulic fracturing?

The USGS is a science research agency with no regulatory, land management, or enforcement powers.The USGS role includes:research and assessments on the location, quantity, and quality of unconventional oil and gas resources whose production could involve hydraulic fracturing. Resource assessments estimate the quantity of oil and gas that is yet to be discovered but that could be recovered using...

Learn More
link
Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Well Heads

When did hydraulic fracturing become such a popular approach to oil and gas production?

Hydraulic fracturing in vertical wells has been used for over fifty years to improve the flow of oil and gas from conventional reservoirs. However, the current practice of horizontal drilling coupled with multiple applications of hydraulic fracturing in a single well was pioneered in the late 1980s and has continued to evolve. Since the final years of the 20th century, the use of this technique to...

link

When did hydraulic fracturing become such a popular approach to oil and gas production?

Hydraulic fracturing in vertical wells has been used for over fifty years to improve the flow of oil and gas from conventional reservoirs. However, the current practice of horizontal drilling coupled with multiple applications of hydraulic fracturing in a single well was pioneered in the late 1980s and has continued to evolve. Since the final years of the 20th century, the use of this technique to...

Learn More
link
Map showing percentage of hydraulically fractured wells

Where in the United States is hydraulic fracturing being used for oil and gas extraction?

Hydraulic fracturing is used in many established oil and gas producing regions of the country as well as some areas new to the petroleum industry. Maps of major shale gas, tight gas, and tight oil basins are available from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, although not all of the shale basins shown currently have production.Learn more: Hydraulic Fracturing

link

Where in the United States is hydraulic fracturing being used for oil and gas extraction?

Hydraulic fracturing is used in many established oil and gas producing regions of the country as well as some areas new to the petroleum industry. Maps of major shale gas, tight gas, and tight oil basins are available from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, although not all of the shale basins shown currently have production.Learn more: Hydraulic Fracturing

Learn More
link
Image: Withdrawing Water for Hydraulic Fracturing
link
Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Operation Underway
link
Image: Perforating Gun for Hydraulic Fracturing
link
Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Well Heads
link
well tower rig
link
video thumbnail: Science or Soundbite? Shale Gas, Hydraulic Fracturing, and Induced Earthquakes
link
video thumbnail: Unconventional Oil and Gas—Fueling the Future
link
Generalized image showing the key points in hydraulic fracturing
link

Conceptual model to assess water use associated with the life cycle of unconventional oil and gas development

As the demand for energy increases in the United States, so does the demand for water used to produce many forms of that energy. Technological advances, limited access to conventional oil and gas accumulations, and the rise of oil and gas prices resulted in increased development of unconventional oil and gas (UOG) accumulations. Unconventional oil and gas is developed using a method that combines
By
Dakota Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center

Geology of tight oil and potential tight oil reservoirs in the lower part of the Green River Formation, Uinta, Piceance, and Greater Green River Basins, Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming

The recent successful development of a tight oil play in the Eocene-age informal Uteland Butte member of the lacustrine Green River Formation in the Uinta Basin, Utah, using modern horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing techniques has spurred a renewed interest in the tight oil potential of lacustrine rocks. The Green River Formation was deposited by two large lakes, Lake Uinta in the Uinta
By
Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Trends in hydraulic fracturing distributions and treatment fluids, additives, proppants, and water volumes applied to wells drilled in the United States from 1947 through 2010: data analysis and comparison to the literature

Hydraulic fracturing is presently the primary stimulation technique for oil and gas production in low-permeability, unconventional reservoirs. Comprehensive, published, and publicly available information regarding the extent, location, and character of hydraulic fracturing in the United States is scarce. This national spatial and temporal analysis of data on nearly 1 million hydraulically fracture
By
Energy Resources Program, John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis, Central Energy Resources Science Center

Interpretation of hydraulic fracturing data from Xiaguan, western Yunnan, China

link

Unconventional Oil and Gas Production Not Currently Affecting Drinking Water Quality

Decades or longer may be needed to fully assess the effects of unconventional oil and gas production on the quality of groundwater used for drinking...

Read Article
link

EarthWord – Induced Seismicity

The occurrence or frequency of earthquakes for which the origin is attributable to human activities.

Read Article
link

Water Used for Hydraulic Fracturing Varies Widely Across United States

The amount of water required to hydraulically fracture oil and gas wells varies widely across the country, according to the first national-scale...

Read Article
link

Hydraulic Fracturing (Frac) Sand Sources and Production in the United States

Newly released research from the U.S. Geological Survey describes U.S. hydraulic fracturing (frac) sand deposits and their locations, and provides...

Read Article
link

Historical Hydraulic Fracturing Trends and Data Unveiled in New USGS Publications

Two new U.S. Geological Survey publications that highlight historical hydraulic fracturing trends and data from 1947 to 2010 are now available.
Read Article

Related Content

  • FAQ
    link
    USGS scientist collecting water samples on a wastewater disposal facility

    Can hydraulic fracturing impact the quality of groundwater or surface water?

    Conducted properly, hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) has little possibility of contaminating water supplies. Properly constructed wells prevent drilling fluids, hydraulic fracturing fluids, deep saline formation waters, or oil and gas from entering aquifers. Carefully constructed and operated well sites have the ability to contain potential spills and minimize runoff into surface waters.As...

    link

    Can hydraulic fracturing impact the quality of groundwater or surface water?

    Conducted properly, hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) has little possibility of contaminating water supplies. Properly constructed wells prevent drilling fluids, hydraulic fracturing fluids, deep saline formation waters, or oil and gas from entering aquifers. Carefully constructed and operated well sites have the ability to contain potential spills and minimize runoff into surface waters.As...

    Learn More
    link
    Oil and Gas Wastewater Disposal Facility in West Virginia

    How and where do drillers dispose of waste hydraulic fracturing fluid?

    Most of the water and additives used in hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) remain deep underground in the geologic formation from which the oil or gas is being extracted. But some of the fluid, mixed with water or brine from the formation, returns through the well to the surface and is referred to as “produced water”. After a well is brought on-line, large volumes of produced water (primarily...

    link

    How and where do drillers dispose of waste hydraulic fracturing fluid?

    Most of the water and additives used in hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) remain deep underground in the geologic formation from which the oil or gas is being extracted. But some of the fluid, mixed with water or brine from the formation, returns through the well to the surface and is referred to as “produced water”. After a well is brought on-line, large volumes of produced water (primarily...

    Learn More
    link
    Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Drill Site

    How does hydraulic fracturing affect the surface or landscape of an area?

    An area undergoing production of oil or gas using hydraulic fracturing technology shares many features with areas where conventional oil or gas is being developed, including:RoadsPipelinesCompressor stationsProcessing facilities.Features that are unique to areas in which hydraulic fracturing is used include:Fewer but larger drilling pads, both to accommodate the equipment needed to conduct the...

    link

    How does hydraulic fracturing affect the surface or landscape of an area?

    An area undergoing production of oil or gas using hydraulic fracturing technology shares many features with areas where conventional oil or gas is being developed, including:RoadsPipelinesCompressor stationsProcessing facilities.Features that are unique to areas in which hydraulic fracturing is used include:Fewer but larger drilling pads, both to accommodate the equipment needed to conduct the...

    Learn More
    link
    Image: Perforating Gun for Hydraulic Fracturing

    How does hydraulic fracturing differ from traditional petroleum development methods?

    In a conventional oil or gas field, where the oil or gas is in relatively porous and permeable rock (i.e. the pores are connected), the oil or gas can usually flow naturally from the reservoir rock to the wellbore. Nonetheless, a variety of techniques are often used to improve the flow of oil or gas, including hydraulic fracturing. Rock formations that are very impermeable require artificially...

    link

    How does hydraulic fracturing differ from traditional petroleum development methods?

    In a conventional oil or gas field, where the oil or gas is in relatively porous and permeable rock (i.e. the pores are connected), the oil or gas can usually flow naturally from the reservoir rock to the wellbore. Nonetheless, a variety of techniques are often used to improve the flow of oil or gas, including hydraulic fracturing. Rock formations that are very impermeable require artificially...

    Learn More
    link
    Research has identified 17 areas in the central and eastern United States with increased rates of induced seismicity.

    How is hydraulic fracturing related to earthquakes and tremors?

    Reports of hydraulic fracturing causing felt earthquakes are extremely rare. However, wastewater produced by wells that were hydraulic fractured can cause “induced” earthquakes when it is injected into deep wastewater wells.Wastewater disposal wells operate for longer durations and inject much more fluid than the hydraulic fracturing operations. Wastewater injection can raise pressure levels in...

    link

    How is hydraulic fracturing related to earthquakes and tremors?

    Reports of hydraulic fracturing causing felt earthquakes are extremely rare. However, wastewater produced by wells that were hydraulic fractured can cause “induced” earthquakes when it is injected into deep wastewater wells.Wastewater disposal wells operate for longer durations and inject much more fluid than the hydraulic fracturing operations. Wastewater injection can raise pressure levels in...

    Learn More
    link
    Image: Withdrawing Water for Hydraulic Fracturing

    How much water does the typical hydraulically fractured well require?

    There isn’t really a “typical” fractured well because the amount of water used depends on the rock formation, the operator, whether the well is vertical or horizontal, and the number of portions (or stages) of the well that are fractured. In addition, some water is recycled from fluids produced by the well, so the net consumption might be smaller at sites that recycle.Water use per well can be...

    link

    How much water does the typical hydraulically fractured well require?

    There isn’t really a “typical” fractured well because the amount of water used depends on the rock formation, the operator, whether the well is vertical or horizontal, and the number of portions (or stages) of the well that are fractured. In addition, some water is recycled from fluids produced by the well, so the net consumption might be smaller at sites that recycle.Water use per well can be...

    Learn More
    link
    Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Operation Underway

    What environmental issues are associated with hydraulic fracturing?

    The actual practice of hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) is only a small part of the overall process of drilling, completing, and producing an oil and gas well.Environmental issues that are specifically related to hydraulic fracturing include:water availabilityspills of chemicals at the surfaceimpacts of sand mining for use in the hydraulic fracturing processsurface water quality degradation...

    link

    What environmental issues are associated with hydraulic fracturing?

    The actual practice of hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) is only a small part of the overall process of drilling, completing, and producing an oil and gas well.Environmental issues that are specifically related to hydraulic fracturing include:water availabilityspills of chemicals at the surfaceimpacts of sand mining for use in the hydraulic fracturing processsurface water quality degradation...

    Learn More
    link
    Generalized image showing the key points in hydraulic fracturing

    What is hydraulic fracturing?

    Hydraulic fracturing, informally referred to as “fracking,” is an oil and gas well development process that typically involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals under high pressure into a bedrock formation via the well. This process is intended to create new fractures in the rock as well as increase the size, extent, and connectivity of existing fractures. Hydraulic fracturing is a well...

    link

    What is hydraulic fracturing?

    Hydraulic fracturing, informally referred to as “fracking,” is an oil and gas well development process that typically involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals under high pressure into a bedrock formation via the well. This process is intended to create new fractures in the rock as well as increase the size, extent, and connectivity of existing fractures. Hydraulic fracturing is a well...

    Learn More
    link
    Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Sand

    What is in the fluid injected into the ground during hydraulic fracturing?

    In general, hydraulic fracturing fluid is composed of water, proppant (typically sand), and chemicals. A public website known as FracFocus has been established by industry that lists specific materials used in many, but not all, hydraulically fractured wells. Individual companies select a few chemicals to be used from hundreds that are available and the fluids are tailored to the rocks they are...

    link

    What is in the fluid injected into the ground during hydraulic fracturing?

    In general, hydraulic fracturing fluid is composed of water, proppant (typically sand), and chemicals. A public website known as FracFocus has been established by industry that lists specific materials used in many, but not all, hydraulically fractured wells. Individual companies select a few chemicals to be used from hundreds that are available and the fluids are tailored to the rocks they are...

    Learn More
    link
    Image shows USGS scientists standing beside a drill rig in protective gear.

    What is the USGS role related to hydraulic fracturing?

    The USGS is a science research agency with no regulatory, land management, or enforcement powers.The USGS role includes:research and assessments on the location, quantity, and quality of unconventional oil and gas resources whose production could involve hydraulic fracturing. Resource assessments estimate the quantity of oil and gas that is yet to be discovered but that could be recovered using...

    link

    What is the USGS role related to hydraulic fracturing?

    The USGS is a science research agency with no regulatory, land management, or enforcement powers.The USGS role includes:research and assessments on the location, quantity, and quality of unconventional oil and gas resources whose production could involve hydraulic fracturing. Resource assessments estimate the quantity of oil and gas that is yet to be discovered but that could be recovered using...

    Learn More
    link
    Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Well Heads

    When did hydraulic fracturing become such a popular approach to oil and gas production?

    Hydraulic fracturing in vertical wells has been used for over fifty years to improve the flow of oil and gas from conventional reservoirs. However, the current practice of horizontal drilling coupled with multiple applications of hydraulic fracturing in a single well was pioneered in the late 1980s and has continued to evolve. Since the final years of the 20th century, the use of this technique to...

    link

    When did hydraulic fracturing become such a popular approach to oil and gas production?

    Hydraulic fracturing in vertical wells has been used for over fifty years to improve the flow of oil and gas from conventional reservoirs. However, the current practice of horizontal drilling coupled with multiple applications of hydraulic fracturing in a single well was pioneered in the late 1980s and has continued to evolve. Since the final years of the 20th century, the use of this technique to...

    Learn More
    link
    Map showing percentage of hydraulically fractured wells

    Where in the United States is hydraulic fracturing being used for oil and gas extraction?

    Hydraulic fracturing is used in many established oil and gas producing regions of the country as well as some areas new to the petroleum industry. Maps of major shale gas, tight gas, and tight oil basins are available from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, although not all of the shale basins shown currently have production.Learn more: Hydraulic Fracturing

    link

    Where in the United States is hydraulic fracturing being used for oil and gas extraction?

    Hydraulic fracturing is used in many established oil and gas producing regions of the country as well as some areas new to the petroleum industry. Maps of major shale gas, tight gas, and tight oil basins are available from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, although not all of the shale basins shown currently have production.Learn more: Hydraulic Fracturing

    Learn More
  • Multimedia
    link
    Image: Withdrawing Water for Hydraulic Fracturing
    link
    Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Operation Underway
    link
    Image: Perforating Gun for Hydraulic Fracturing
    link
    Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Well Heads
    link
    well tower rig
    link
    video thumbnail: Science or Soundbite? Shale Gas, Hydraulic Fracturing, and Induced Earthquakes
    link
    video thumbnail: Unconventional Oil and Gas—Fueling the Future
    link
    Generalized image showing the key points in hydraulic fracturing
    link
  • Publications

    Conceptual model to assess water use associated with the life cycle of unconventional oil and gas development

    As the demand for energy increases in the United States, so does the demand for water used to produce many forms of that energy. Technological advances, limited access to conventional oil and gas accumulations, and the rise of oil and gas prices resulted in increased development of unconventional oil and gas (UOG) accumulations. Unconventional oil and gas is developed using a method that combines
    By
    Dakota Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center

    Geology of tight oil and potential tight oil reservoirs in the lower part of the Green River Formation, Uinta, Piceance, and Greater Green River Basins, Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming

    The recent successful development of a tight oil play in the Eocene-age informal Uteland Butte member of the lacustrine Green River Formation in the Uinta Basin, Utah, using modern horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing techniques has spurred a renewed interest in the tight oil potential of lacustrine rocks. The Green River Formation was deposited by two large lakes, Lake Uinta in the Uinta
    By
    Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center

    Trends in hydraulic fracturing distributions and treatment fluids, additives, proppants, and water volumes applied to wells drilled in the United States from 1947 through 2010: data analysis and comparison to the literature

    Hydraulic fracturing is presently the primary stimulation technique for oil and gas production in low-permeability, unconventional reservoirs. Comprehensive, published, and publicly available information regarding the extent, location, and character of hydraulic fracturing in the United States is scarce. This national spatial and temporal analysis of data on nearly 1 million hydraulically fracture
    By
    Energy Resources Program, John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis, Central Energy Resources Science Center

    Interpretation of hydraulic fracturing data from Xiaguan, western Yunnan, China

  • News
    link

    Unconventional Oil and Gas Production Not Currently Affecting Drinking Water Quality

    Decades or longer may be needed to fully assess the effects of unconventional oil and gas production on the quality of groundwater used for drinking...

    Read Article
    link

    EarthWord – Induced Seismicity

    The occurrence or frequency of earthquakes for which the origin is attributable to human activities.

    Read Article
    link

    Water Used for Hydraulic Fracturing Varies Widely Across United States

    The amount of water required to hydraulically fracture oil and gas wells varies widely across the country, according to the first national-scale...

    Read Article
    link

    Hydraulic Fracturing (Frac) Sand Sources and Production in the United States

    Newly released research from the U.S. Geological Survey describes U.S. hydraulic fracturing (frac) sand deposits and their locations, and provides...

    Read Article
    link

    Historical Hydraulic Fracturing Trends and Data Unveiled in New USGS Publications

    Two new U.S. Geological Survey publications that highlight historical hydraulic fracturing trends and data from 1947 to 2010 are now available.
    Read Article