What are the environmental considerations of drilling in the Bakken Formation?
Environmental issues include:
- land surface disturbance
- the amount of water initially required to hydraulically fracture (or “frack”) the well
- disposal of the poor-quality water produced with the oil
- air pollution
- groundwater contamination
- oil spills
- disruption of wildlife corridors
In many cases, particularly on private land, it is the state government that regulates the extraction of oil and the remediation of sites after production is no longer economic.
Related Content
What are the oil reserves in the Bakken Formation?
How much oil and gas are actually in the Bakken Formation?
What are some of the difficulties of drilling in the Bakken Formation?
What are "technically recoverable" oil and gas resources?
How much oil does the Bakken Formation produce and how does this compare to what the United States uses?
Does the Bakken Formation contain more oil than Saudi Arabia?
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Well Drill in the Bakken Formation near Williston
Water truck in background is providing maintenance water to a producing well drilled in the Bakken Formation near Williston, North Dakota.
Bakken Well in North Dakota
Bakken well in North Dakota (Photograph by Joanna Thamke, USGS).
Bakken Drilling
Bakken drilling and completion activities at a well along Interstate-94, 6 miles east of Belfield, North Dakota.
Bakken Drilling
Bakken drilling and completion activities at a well along Interstate-94, 6 miles east of Belfield, North Dakota.
Bakken Drill Rig
A drill rig in the Bakken oil field in Stark County, western North Dakota.
USGS Scientist Researching Bakken Formation Water Samples
USGS scientist prepares to sample a domestic well in the Bakken Formation oil and gas production area of North Dakota.