Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a well stimulation technique in which water is typically mixed with sand and chemicals and injected at high pressure into a wellbore to create small (generally less than 1 mm) fractures to maximize fluid removal and well productivity. This technique enables the removal of large amounts of formerly inaccessible hydrocarbons. However, the gases liberated using this method may contaminate water reservoirs and have become a controversial environmental and health matter. Monitoring the gas content of affected waters is one way to assess the environmental impact of fracking on an area.
United States
