Shale Gas

• How is shale gas extracted

  Fracking
• Fracking

  1. A well is drilled into the rock. Shale is deposited in layers, so when it reaches shale the drilling is then turned 90' and a horizontal well is created.
  2. A mixture of water, sand, and chemicals are injected into the shale. This causes small fissures (cracks). The force of the water creates fissures, sand keeps the fissures open, and chemicals of dissolve minerals in the rock and prevent corrosion of the pipes and well.
  3. Methane flows through the fissures and out of the well. It is used to generate electricity in power stations or is used to supply homes and businesses with natural gas.
  4. Around 40% of the water and chemicals also return to the surface. They are taken to a treatment plant.
• What is injected into the shale

  Water, sand and chemicals
• What role does water have in fracking

  the force of the water creates fissures (cracks)
• What role does sand have in fracking

  it keeps the fissures open
• What role do chemicals have in fracking

  Chemicals dissolve minerals in the rock and prevent corrosion of the pipes and well.
• What gas flows through the fissures

  Methane
• Benefits of Shale Gas

  • The industry would provide thousands of jobs.
  • Provides natural gases.
  • Would have enough natural gas in the UK to meet 50 years of energy.
  • Reduce amount of natural gas being imported so will improve energy security.
  • Energy bills could fall by 2%.
  • Lower impact on the landscape than other methods.
• Challenges of Shale Gas

  • Concerns that water and chemicals could enter groundwater stores and aquifers.
  • Visual and noise pollution.
  • Releases CO2 and other gases into the atmosphere when it is burned. It is a fossil fuel.
  • Induced seismicity (mini earthquakes).
  • Pollutes water supply.
  • Costly.