Fracking

Fracking, also known as hydraulic fracturing, is an unconventional mining method to extract oil and natural gas trapped in geological layers within rock formations called shale.

The fracking process starts by drilling down to reach a shale rock layer deep underground. Once there, the drill can punch through the shale rock horizontally to get as much coverage as possible. Then, water mixed with sand and chemicals is pumped down at very high pressures to break up the shale rock. This releases the gas which then flows back up the bore hole to the surface.