Tuesday, June 7, 2016

A Short Guide on Shale Gas Extraction: Future Implications to the Oil and Gas Industry

Hydrofracking is the newest method of shale gas extraction and is now considered the most efficient means of collecting this natural resource. Hydraulic fracking is an improved version of fracking, which is the process of applying high amounts of pressure under a shale rock formation to get it to release gas. The gas is then collected through a tube and then converted into energy through a series of processes.

Many companies in the oil and gas industry began extracting shale gas as an alternative to coal or iron, as these latter natural resources were being heavily depleted and coming under doubt as catalysts of global warming.

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Additionally, environmental analysts began studying the effects of coal as an energy source. It is now generally acknowledged that coal has negative environmental impacts. Shale gas extraction is therefore seen as a transition between fossil fuel manufacturing and clean energy such as solar or wind.

Hydrofracking enables the penetration of areas within the Earth that would otherwise be inaccessible through conventional means. Since the pressure is injected way below the Earth’s surface, it is suggested that less harmful byproducts are released in the air.

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Shale gas extraction is now being vetted as a means to obtain independence from foreign oil. Shale gas can fuel the same area covered by fossil fuels and can be extracted within a country.

This is the main reason shale gas extraction has become such a controversial topic. Many political analysts expressed concern that totally energy-independent countries may lead to could create tension among themselves. Still, oil and gas markets take a more positive outlook and say that shale gas extraction has led to job growth and overall improvement in the local economy.

Brian Alfaro is the founder of Primera Energy LLC, a leading oil and gas company based in San Antonio, Texas. Learn more about energy by following this Twitter account.

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