Science Common Sense
659 - What is hydraulic fracturing (fracking), and how does it work?
Hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, is a way to get oil and natural gas from deep underground rocks. Here's how it works:
- Drilling a well: A deep well is drilled into the Earth, usually 1-2 miles below the surface.
- Creating fractures: A special liquid, called fracking fluid, is pumped into the well at very high pressure. This pressure creates small cracks, or fractures, in the rock around the well.
- Releasing the oil or gas: The fractures allow the oil or gas to flow out of the rock and into the well.
- Collecting the oil or gas: The oil or gas is then pumped out of the well and collected.
Imagine it like a sponge: the fracking fluid helps to squeeze out the oil or gas from the tiny spaces in the rock, allowing it to be collected and used.