Posted on 02/16/2011 1:14:34 PM PST by george76
We've only been doing hydraulic fracturing of wells for 60 years. It is not specific to shale production. About 90% of all oil and gas US onshore wells will have it done sometime in their useful life.
Currently, though, the Interior Department (through the 'wildlands' edict--Secretarial Order 3310) and the EPA (through the intended regulation of hydrofracking--which is not a problem here) are doing their best to shut things down.
In addition, the EPA is refusing refinery permits, and there is always the 'cap and trade' model in the wings.
So far, the ability to wreck Bakken/Three Forks drilling has been limited because most of the land in the area is either privately owned (as are the mineral rights), or owned by the State. Thankfully, the Federally Owned portion of the area is relatively small.
Presently, the Federal Government is doing plenty to shut down the domestic oil industry, it just hasn't completely worked so far.
“Frackling is a big bone of contention around here.. many farmers have allowed this and had flammable water coming out their faucets from their well water. .”
BUT: Upon further investigation, it was found out that that water had ALWAYS had some methane in it, and was flammable for YEARS before-hand!
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