Minor Quakes In the UK Likely Caused By Fracking

Stirling Newberry writes "Non-conventional extraction of hydrocarbons is the next wave of production, including natural gas and oil – at least according to its advocates. One of the most controversial of the technologies being used is hydraulic fracture drilling, or 'fracking.' Energy companies have been gobbling up Google ad words to push the view that the technology is 'proven' and 'safe,' while stories about the damage continue to surface. Adding to the debate are two small tremors in the UK — below 3.0, so very small – that were quite likely the result of fracking there. Because the drilling cracks were shallow, this raises concerns that deeper cracks near more geologically active areas might lead to quakes that could cause serious damage."

Comments

Re:Ignorance out in full force again...

[nomadic]

/Geologist who works for a major oil company.

So you're obviously a non-biased source.

Re:Even with a major earthquake

[X0563511]

Yea, 'cause you don't have to drill through that first, and there's no chance that raising the pressure below could force things just under the water table up into it.

It might not be as bad as 'the sky is falling' folks claim, but it isn't good either.