Introduction
We only have one world and we need to take care of it. In order for our world to be functional and in good health for future generations, we need to take care on how we are using its resources. The oil industry is one of the largest industries in the world. Cars, trains, boats, trucks; basically everything you can think of runs off of oil and gas. The way that oil and gas is mined can be very damaging to the environment as well as the surrounding humans. There has to be a safer option.
What are current Fracking Lubricants made from?
Currently, fracking fluid is approximately 90 percent water, 9.5 percent sand and 0.5 percent chemicals. Unfortunately, because such a large amount of fracking fluid is needed in order to drill even one well, means that a large amount of damaging chemicals is pressed into the earth in order to get to the oil. Unfortunately these chemicals can then dump into surrounding water sources and get into drinking water in the surrounding areas. This fluid is also not healthy for people to be handling or ingesting.
The Damage of Drilling to the Surrounding Environment
Unfortunately, the process for drilling for oil is really damaging to the local environment. The area where wildlife and birds call home is left terribly damaged and the cycle of life is completely thrown off. Animals, such as sage grouse, are either killed or disturbed from their local environment. The plant life is disturbed and ruined so that animals and birds that previously had enough area to live on no longer do and are slowly going extinct. Fortunately, there is a better way to drill for oil that is not as damaging to the local environment.
Horizontal Drilling: What is it and how does it work?
One option to reduce the environmental damage of drilling for oil is horizontal drilling. Horizontal drilling is very similar to vertical drilling and actually starts as directional drilling. However, instead of just continuing to go down wards, when hitting oil, the drilling companies curve the piping to also go horizontal. This makes it possible to drill underneath areas without having to disturb the environment on top.
Fracking Fluid: How can it be improved?
The chemicals in fracking fluid are the most problematic. These chemicals entering into the surrounding areas can cause problems with the surrounding water sources. Not utilizing the chemicals and only using sand and water is one option. However, this makes the drilling somewhat more ineffective. Utilizing other chemicals instead of chemicals that are super harsh for the environment is also an option. Radium and other chemicals can be switched out for less harmful chemicals. Using alternate sources of energy is also an option. The wind, water and sun energy industries are much more underdeveloped in comparison to the gas industry. Opening the door to other energy options is the best, most effective way to maintain our current environment.
Conclusion
We need to save our earth to make it viable and useful for our future generations. The current way that the world is harvesting oil and gas is not good for the environment and not good for the surrounding water sources. Utilizing other options of drilling as well as other options of energy is the only way we can ensure that our children and our children’s children will have the opportunity for a world that is livable and viable.
