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:

  1. Drilling a well: A deep well is drilled into the Earth, usually 1-2 miles below the surface.
  2. 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.
  3. Releasing the oil or gas: The fractures allow the oil or gas to flow out of the rock and into the well.
  4. 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.