Hydraulic fracturing and stimulating ground wells

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Sand, water, and pressure -- these are the basic components in extracting energy resources confined underground. The process of extracting petroleum and natural gases from rock reservoir formations found in the deep confines of the earth is called hydraulic fracturing. Through a pressurized fluid inserted into drilled holes or wellbore in rock formations, oil and gases are extracted.

Oil and gas experts, such as Dr. Ali Ghalambor, Tian Ran Lin, Shanghon Song, and Jacob Chacko, attest that hydraulic fracturing is used to increase or restore the rates at which petroleum, water, or natural gases can be produced in the natural reservoirs. While this method has many uses such as in preconditioning rocks in mining, heat extraction in geothermal systems, and geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide, hydraulic fracturing is mainly used in arousing production from oil and gas reservoirs.

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To stimulate ground wells, a hydraulic fracture is formed by pumping a fracturing fluid into the wellbore. With sufficient pressure, the fluid can bore further into the cracks so that the reserves can be easily reached and the oil can be easily extracted.

Used since the 18th century, fracking stimulates rock oil wells, and it has been proven to be an efficient method for extracting oil reserves. In recent times and with the advancement of technology, hydraulic fracturing has been used in the extraction of unconventional oils and gas resources. By the advancement of the method in recovering deposits, untapped resources such as shale gas, tight gas, and coalbed methane can now be made available.

While hydraulic fracturing has increased the yield of oil wells and gas reserves, careful installation is needed as drilling holes in rock formations can cause an adverse effect on the environment. Such effect includes increased instability of the earth floor, accident oil spills, and water contamination.

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