3.2c - Fracking

Question 1

What is Fracking?

Answer 1

It is the process of drilling and injecting fluid into the ground at a high pressure in order to fracture shale rocks, releasing the natural gas inside.

Question 2

How many fracking wells were in the USA in 2010 compared to in 2000?

Answer 2

2000 - 276,000 natural gas fracking wells

2010 - 510,000 natural gas fracking wells

Question 3

What are some problems associated with fracking?

Answer 3

1. Methane gas contaminates groundwater
2. Only 30-50% of the fracturing fluid is recovered
3. Some remaining fluid evaporates in the air and is harmful
4. Expensive

Question 4

How much natural gas a day can be produced by fracking in the USA ?

Answer 4

300,000 barrels of natural gas a day

Question 5

What are some benefits of fracking?

Answer 5

1. Allows countries to have their own supply of oil and gas - self reliant
2. Increases supply so the prices go down
3. Natural gas burns cleaner than coal

Question 6

What happened when the Balcombe fracking site was proposed in the UK?

Answer 6

UK’s biggest anti-fracking protests so far

Question 7

What have residents of Balcombe won planning permission for?

Answer 7

To build a Solar power farm as a source of clean energy - requiring £5 million investment

Question 8

What economic benefits could fracking bring to the UK?

Answer 8

65,000 new jobs
Exporting gas would generate income
Cheaper gas prices

Question 9

How many fracking locations are there in England?

Answer 9

27 licenced fracking locations in England

Question 10

What are the names of some fracking companies in the UK?

Answer 10

Igas Energy
Dart Energy
Cuadrilla Resources