Skip to main content

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 availability
  • spills of chemicals at the surface
  • impacts of sand mining for use in the hydraulic fracturing process
  • surface water quality degradation from waste fluid disposal
  • groundwater quality degradation
  • induced seismicity from the injection of waste fluids into deep disposal wells

Any kind of oil and gas drilling can additionally cause:

  • reduced air quality
  • noise
  • night sky light pollution
  • landscape changes such as forest fragmentation
  • disruption to wildlife corridors and habitats

It is important to note that not all of these potential impacts occur at every site and many impacts can be avoided or mitigated with the proper practices.

Learn more: Hydraulic Fracturing

 

Related Content

link
well tower rig

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.Learn more: Hydraulic Fracturing Induced Earthquakes

link

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.Learn more: Hydraulic Fracturing Induced Earthquakes

Learn More
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
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
Image shows a drill rig against blue mountains

Who is responsible for monitoring the issues associated with hydraulic fracturing and protecting our environment?

Individual states regulate many aspects of oil and gas exploration and production.Federal land managers, such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have some oversight of oil and gas activities on the lands they manage. This includes conducting environmental impact studies and enforcing environmental protections.The...

link

Who is responsible for monitoring the issues associated with hydraulic fracturing and protecting our environment?

Individual states regulate many aspects of oil and gas exploration and production.Federal land managers, such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have some oversight of oil and gas activities on the lands they manage. This includes conducting environmental impact studies and enforcing environmental protections.The...

Learn More
link
Stream Vulnerability to Widespread and Emergent Stressors: A Focus on Unconventional Oil and Gas
link
Image: Withdrawing Water for Hydraulic Fracturing
link
Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Operation Underway
link
Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Drill Site
link
Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Well Heads
link
USGS scientist collecting water samples on a wastewater disposal facility
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

Preliminary geologic framework developed for a proposed environmental monitoring study of a deep, unconventional Marcellus Shale drill site, Washington County, Pennsylvania

BackgroundIn the fall of 2011, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was afforded an opportunity to participate in an environmental monitoring study of the potential impacts of a deep, unconventional Marcellus Shale hydraulic fracturing site. The drill site of the prospective case study is the “Range Resources MCC Partners L.P. Units 1-5H” location (also referred to as the “RR–MCC” drill site), locate
By
Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Transport of hydraulic fracturing waste from Pennsylvania wells: A county-level analysis of road use and associated road repair costs

Pennsylvania’s rapid unconventional oil and gas (UOG) development—from a single well in 2004 to more than 6700 wells in 2013—has dramatically increased UOG waste transport by heavy trucks. This study quantified the amount of UOG waste and the distance it traveled between wells and disposal facilities on each type of road in each county between July 2010 and December 2013. In addition, the study es
By
Ecosystems, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Chesapeake Bay Activities

Wastewater disposal from unconventional oil and gas development degrades stream quality at a West Virginia injection facility

The development of unconventional oil and gas (UOG) resources has rapidly increased in recent years; however, the environmental impacts and risks are poorly understood. A single well can generate millions of liters of wastewater, representing a mixture of formation brine and injected hydraulic fracturing fluids. One of the most common methods for wastewater disposal is underground injection; we ar
By
Water Resources, Ecosystems, Energy & Wildlife, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Landscape disturbance from unconventional and conventional oil and gas development in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania, USA

The spatial footprint of unconventional (hydraulic fracturing) and conventional oil and gas development in the Marcellus Shale region of the State of Pennsylvania was digitized from high-resolution, ortho-rectified, digital aerial photography, from 2004 to 2010. We used these data to measure the spatial extent of oil and gas development and to assess the exposure of the extant natural resources ac
By
Climate Research and Development Program, Land Change Science Program

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

Landscape consequences of natural gas extraction in Cameron, Clarion, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, and Warren Counties, Pennsylvania, 2004-2010

Increased demands for cleaner burning energy, coupled with the relatively recent technological advances in accessing hydrocarbon-rich geologic formations, have led to an intense effort to find and extract unconventional natural gas from various underground sources around the country. One of these sources, the Marcellus Shale, located in the Allegheny Plateau, is currently undergoing extensive dril
By
Climate Research and Development Program, Land Change Science Program

Water quality studied in areas of unconventional oil and gas development, including areas where hydraulic fracturing techniques are used, in the United States

Domestic oil and gas production and clean water are critical for economic growth, public health, and national security of the United States. As domestic oil and gas production increases in new areas and old fields are enhanced, there is increasing public concern about the effects of energy production on surface-water and groundwater quality. To a great extent, this concern arises from the improved
By
Water Resources, Ecosystems, Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis
link

Bakken Shale unconventional oil and gas production has not caused widespread hydrocarbon contamination to date in groundwater used for water supply

A new USGS study reports that shale-oil and -gas production from a major production area in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota has not caused...

Read Article
link

Mixing Oil and Water

In south Texas, a wide band of rocks stretches from the Mexican border all the way to western Louisiana, forming the highly productive Eagle Ford...

Read Article
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

New Scientific Approach Assesses Land Recovery Following Oil and Gas Drilling

A new scientific approach can now provide regional assessments of land recovery following oil and gas drilling activities, according to a new U.S...

Read Article
link

Evidence of Unconventional Oil and Gas Wastewater Found in Surface Waters near Underground Injection Site

These are the first published studies to demonstrate water-quality impacts to a surface stream due to activities at an unconventional oil and gas...

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

The Chemistry of Waters that Follow from Fracking: A Case Study

In a study of 13 hydraulically fractured shale gas wells in north-central Pennsylvania, USGS researchers found that the microbiology and organic...
Read Article
link

What Happens to the Water? Assessing Water Quality in Areas with Hydraulically Fractured Oil and Gas Wells

More data and research are necessary to best understand the potential risks to water quality associated with unconventional oil and gas development in...
Read Article
link

Coping with Earthquakes Induced by Fluid Injection

MENLO PARK, Calif.— A paper published today in Science provides a case for increasing transparency and data collection to enable strategies for...
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
    well tower rig

    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.Learn more: Hydraulic Fracturing Induced Earthquakes

    link

    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.Learn more: Hydraulic Fracturing Induced Earthquakes

    Learn More
    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
    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
    Image shows a drill rig against blue mountains

    Who is responsible for monitoring the issues associated with hydraulic fracturing and protecting our environment?

    Individual states regulate many aspects of oil and gas exploration and production.Federal land managers, such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have some oversight of oil and gas activities on the lands they manage. This includes conducting environmental impact studies and enforcing environmental protections.The...

    link

    Who is responsible for monitoring the issues associated with hydraulic fracturing and protecting our environment?

    Individual states regulate many aspects of oil and gas exploration and production.Federal land managers, such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have some oversight of oil and gas activities on the lands they manage. This includes conducting environmental impact studies and enforcing environmental protections.The...

    Learn More
  • Multimedia
    link
    Stream Vulnerability to Widespread and Emergent Stressors: A Focus on Unconventional Oil and Gas
    link
    Image: Withdrawing Water for Hydraulic Fracturing
    link
    Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Operation Underway
    link
    Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Drill Site
    link
    Image: Hydraulic Fracturing Well Heads
    link
    USGS scientist collecting water samples on a wastewater disposal facility
    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

    Preliminary geologic framework developed for a proposed environmental monitoring study of a deep, unconventional Marcellus Shale drill site, Washington County, Pennsylvania

    BackgroundIn the fall of 2011, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was afforded an opportunity to participate in an environmental monitoring study of the potential impacts of a deep, unconventional Marcellus Shale hydraulic fracturing site. The drill site of the prospective case study is the “Range Resources MCC Partners L.P. Units 1-5H” location (also referred to as the “RR–MCC” drill site), locate
    By
    Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

    Transport of hydraulic fracturing waste from Pennsylvania wells: A county-level analysis of road use and associated road repair costs

    Pennsylvania’s rapid unconventional oil and gas (UOG) development—from a single well in 2004 to more than 6700 wells in 2013—has dramatically increased UOG waste transport by heavy trucks. This study quantified the amount of UOG waste and the distance it traveled between wells and disposal facilities on each type of road in each county between July 2010 and December 2013. In addition, the study es
    By
    Ecosystems, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Chesapeake Bay Activities

    Wastewater disposal from unconventional oil and gas development degrades stream quality at a West Virginia injection facility

    The development of unconventional oil and gas (UOG) resources has rapidly increased in recent years; however, the environmental impacts and risks are poorly understood. A single well can generate millions of liters of wastewater, representing a mixture of formation brine and injected hydraulic fracturing fluids. One of the most common methods for wastewater disposal is underground injection; we ar
    By
    Water Resources, Ecosystems, Energy & Wildlife, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

    Landscape disturbance from unconventional and conventional oil and gas development in the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania, USA

    The spatial footprint of unconventional (hydraulic fracturing) and conventional oil and gas development in the Marcellus Shale region of the State of Pennsylvania was digitized from high-resolution, ortho-rectified, digital aerial photography, from 2004 to 2010. We used these data to measure the spatial extent of oil and gas development and to assess the exposure of the extant natural resources ac
    By
    Climate Research and Development Program, Land Change Science Program

    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

    Landscape consequences of natural gas extraction in Cameron, Clarion, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, and Warren Counties, Pennsylvania, 2004-2010

    Increased demands for cleaner burning energy, coupled with the relatively recent technological advances in accessing hydrocarbon-rich geologic formations, have led to an intense effort to find and extract unconventional natural gas from various underground sources around the country. One of these sources, the Marcellus Shale, located in the Allegheny Plateau, is currently undergoing extensive dril
    By
    Climate Research and Development Program, Land Change Science Program

    Water quality studied in areas of unconventional oil and gas development, including areas where hydraulic fracturing techniques are used, in the United States

    Domestic oil and gas production and clean water are critical for economic growth, public health, and national security of the United States. As domestic oil and gas production increases in new areas and old fields are enhanced, there is increasing public concern about the effects of energy production on surface-water and groundwater quality. To a great extent, this concern arises from the improved
    By
    Water Resources, Ecosystems, Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis
  • News
    link

    Bakken Shale unconventional oil and gas production has not caused widespread hydrocarbon contamination to date in groundwater used for water supply

    A new USGS study reports that shale-oil and -gas production from a major production area in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota has not caused...

    Read Article
    link

    Mixing Oil and Water

    In south Texas, a wide band of rocks stretches from the Mexican border all the way to western Louisiana, forming the highly productive Eagle Ford...

    Read Article
    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

    New Scientific Approach Assesses Land Recovery Following Oil and Gas Drilling

    A new scientific approach can now provide regional assessments of land recovery following oil and gas drilling activities, according to a new U.S...

    Read Article
    link

    Evidence of Unconventional Oil and Gas Wastewater Found in Surface Waters near Underground Injection Site

    These are the first published studies to demonstrate water-quality impacts to a surface stream due to activities at an unconventional oil and gas...

    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

    The Chemistry of Waters that Follow from Fracking: A Case Study

    In a study of 13 hydraulically fractured shale gas wells in north-central Pennsylvania, USGS researchers found that the microbiology and organic...
    Read Article
    link

    What Happens to the Water? Assessing Water Quality in Areas with Hydraulically Fractured Oil and Gas Wells

    More data and research are necessary to best understand the potential risks to water quality associated with unconventional oil and gas development in...
    Read Article
    link

    Coping with Earthquakes Induced by Fluid Injection

    MENLO PARK, Calif.— A paper published today in Science provides a case for increasing transparency and data collection to enable strategies for...
    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