Fracking 101
What is fracking?
"Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a drilling method used to extract petroleum (oil) or natural gas from deep in the planet. In the fracking process, cracks in and below Earth's surface are opened and widened by injecting water, chemicals, and sand at high pressure."
“How Hydraulic Fracturing Works.” National Geographic, education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/how-hydraulic-fracturing-works/. Accessed 1 July 2024.
"Fracking is used to extract natural gas from the Marcellus shale formation in the northern Appalachian Basin, extending through the U.S. states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia."
“How Hydraulic Fracturing Works.” National Geographic, education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/how-hydraulic-fracturing-works/. Accessed 1 July 2024.
The Fracking Process
"The process begins with the drilling of a long vertical or angled well that can extend a mile or more into the earth. As the well nears the rock formation where the natural gas or oil lies, drilling then gradually turns horizontal and extends as far as thousands of feet. Steel pipes called casings are inserted into the well, and the space between the rock and the casing is fully or partially filled with cement. Small holes are made in the casing with a perforating gun, or the well is constructed with pre-perforated pipe. Fracking fluid is then pumped in at a pressure high enough to create new fractures or open existing ones in the surrounding rock."
Denchak, Melissa. “Fracking 101.” Natural Resources Defense Council, 19 Apr. 2019, www.nrdc.org/stories/fracking-101#work.
How does Fracking affect Economic Development and Property Values?
A study conducted by researchers at Duke University found that the risks and potential liabilities of drilling outweigh economic benefits like lease payments and potential economic development in Washington County, PA. Penn Township is no different! Click Here to view report.
Protect PT has an extensive collection of resource documents (like the DEP and PT permits/applications, etc) If you want to view any documents that Protect PT has made available you may find it on this page or if there are documents you would like to share with us, please CONTACT us directly through this site. We thank you for your interest, information and concern.
Fracking Infrastructure Interactive Map
See well pads, compressor stations, and other kinds of infrastructure in Westmoreland and Allegheny County. For best results, view in full screen by clicking on the top right corner of the map.
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