Hydraulic Fracturing - The State of the Science

Explore the science behind hydraulic fracturing in this 53-minute conference talk from AGU. Gain insights into the process of injecting wells with water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure to produce unconventional oil and natural gas. Learn about the opportunities and challenges posed by these resources, and discover how USGS and its partners provide crucial information for policy makers and resource managers. Moderated by Harvey Thorleifson, Director of the Minnesota Geological Survey, the talk features expert speakers including Brenda Pierce from the U.S. Geological Survey Energy Resources Program, Rick Hammack from the National Energy Technology Laboratory, and Bill Leith, Senior Science Advisor for Earthquake and Geologic Hazards at the U.S. Geological Survey. Delve into topics such as geological surveys, energy resources, environmental monitoring, and earthquake hazards related to hydraulic fracturing. Originally presented on June 8, 2012, at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., this informative session offers a comprehensive overview of the state of science in hydraulic fracturing.