Summarization regarding the potential for greatly increased production of oil and natural gas in the United States and the description of two major problems to overcome.

Question

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Answer 1

Question

Chapter 15, Problem 1CR

To determine

Summarization regarding the potential for greatly increased production of oil and natural gas in the United States and the description of two major problems to overcome.

Expert Solution & Answer

Answer to Problem 1CR

The process of horizontal drilling involves drilling a vertical well deep into the earth, turning the flexible shaft of the drill and then horizontal drilling. In the case of hydraulic fracturing, the shale rock is fractured by high-pressure pumps and a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals is pumped through holes in the underground well pipe. These technologies have reduced the cost of oil extraction in the United States and reduced its dependency on oil imports. The major problems to overcome include enormous supply of water required for regional extraction of natural oil and gas and burning more carbon-containing fossil fuels gas; more amounts of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) will be released into the air faster than it can be eliminated by the carbon cycle.

Explanation of Solution

The oil and gas producers combined two extraction technologies, horizontal drilling, and hydraulic fracturing or fracking to reduce the cost of oil extraction.

The process of horizontal drilling involves the following:

(i). Drilling a vertical well deep into the earth.

(ii). Turning the flexible shaft of the drill.

(iii). Horizontal drilling to gain access to multiple oil and natural gas deposits.

The hydraulic fracturing or fracking is used to remove the oil and natural gas trapped in the shale rock. The shale rock is fractured by high-pressure pumps that force a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals through holes in the underground well pipe. A mixture of oil and natural gas and some amount of slurry flows out of the cracks when the pressure is released. The oil and gas with slurry are pumped to the surface through the well pipe. The returning slurry also contains some potentially harmful chemicals. The slurry is again injected under high pressure into deep underground wells and sent to sewage treatment plants.

These technologies are greatly increasing the production of oil and natural gas in the United States and reducing the cost of oil extraction. The United States is utilizing these technologies to reduce its dependency on oil imports. The increased supply has reduced the price of natural gas. It has accelerated a shift from coal to natural gas for generating electricity in the United States.

However, there are two major issues with this scenario.

1. Large-scale extraction of natural oil and gas present firmly in shale rock needs enormous quantities of water. It also produces heavily polluted wastewater. Along with this, leakages from oil and gas well piping systems can contaminate shallow water aquifers that feed many drinking water wells, as well as deep aquifers, unless the entire drilling, extraction, and wastewater treatment processes are strictly monitored and regulated to protect drinking water.
2. By burning more carbon-containing coal, oil, and natural gas, increasing amounts of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) will be continuously released into the air faster than they can be eliminated by the carbon cycle. Computer models project that growing atmospheric levels of these greenhouse gases will play an important role in altering the world’s climate in possibly dangerous ways during this century.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Students have asked these similar questions

Discussion Question: Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations A+ The material from this chapter has been specific to atmospheric processes but it definitely includes the biosphere, you and I! As our population explodes, we have increased demands for energy.

Title: Implementing low impact development: Sustainable water management solutions for urban areas Research questions: What are the economic, environmental, and social benefits of integrating wastewater recycling systems into urban water management practices? What methods can cities employ to resolve water supply needs with natural resource defense while achieving long-term water resource sustainability? Please answer all questions in the pictures in detail

18. 19. 20. - 15. 16. 17. The desired outcome of the curriculum delivered in environmental studies and sciences (ESS) programs at U.S. universities typically follow one of three ideal models- those focused on the systems sciences, those focused on policy and governance, or those focused on: a. adaptive management. b. environmental resource conservation. c. frontline practices of sustainability. Friedrich Ratzel's concept of lebensraum was turned to expansionist geopolitical ends through a particular reading of the work of Charles Darwin. One of the assumptions that Ratzel made in applying Darwin's ideas to the political world was that both animals and nation-states are: a. changing through the process of evolution. b. engaged in a competition where only the fittest will survive. c. surviving and developing in substantial part through cooperative strategies. In qualitative research, it often helps to distinguish between descriptive codes, which are often categorical or refer to simple…

Answer 2

Question

Chapter 15, Problem 1CR

To determine

Summarization regarding the potential for greatly increased production of oil and natural gas in the United States and the description of two major problems to overcome.

Expert Solution & Answer

Answer to Problem 1CR

The process of horizontal drilling involves drilling a vertical well deep into the earth, turning the flexible shaft of the drill and then horizontal drilling. In the case of hydraulic fracturing, the shale rock is fractured by high-pressure pumps and a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals is pumped through holes in the underground well pipe. These technologies have reduced the cost of oil extraction in the United States and reduced its dependency on oil imports. The major problems to overcome include enormous supply of water required for regional extraction of natural oil and gas and burning more carbon-containing fossil fuels gas; more amounts of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) will be released into the air faster than it can be eliminated by the carbon cycle.

Explanation of Solution

The oil and gas producers combined two extraction technologies, horizontal drilling, and hydraulic fracturing or fracking to reduce the cost of oil extraction.

The process of horizontal drilling involves the following:

(i). Drilling a vertical well deep into the earth.

(ii). Turning the flexible shaft of the drill.

(iii). Horizontal drilling to gain access to multiple oil and natural gas deposits.

The hydraulic fracturing or fracking is used to remove the oil and natural gas trapped in the shale rock. The shale rock is fractured by high-pressure pumps that force a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals through holes in the underground well pipe. A mixture of oil and natural gas and some amount of slurry flows out of the cracks when the pressure is released. The oil and gas with slurry are pumped to the surface through the well pipe. The returning slurry also contains some potentially harmful chemicals. The slurry is again injected under high pressure into deep underground wells and sent to sewage treatment plants.

These technologies are greatly increasing the production of oil and natural gas in the United States and reducing the cost of oil extraction. The United States is utilizing these technologies to reduce its dependency on oil imports. The increased supply has reduced the price of natural gas. It has accelerated a shift from coal to natural gas for generating electricity in the United States.

However, there are two major issues with this scenario.

1. Large-scale extraction of natural oil and gas present firmly in shale rock needs enormous quantities of water. It also produces heavily polluted wastewater. Along with this, leakages from oil and gas well piping systems can contaminate shallow water aquifers that feed many drinking water wells, as well as deep aquifers, unless the entire drilling, extraction, and wastewater treatment processes are strictly monitored and regulated to protect drinking water.
2. By burning more carbon-containing coal, oil, and natural gas, increasing amounts of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) will be continuously released into the air faster than they can be eliminated by the carbon cycle. Computer models project that growing atmospheric levels of these greenhouse gases will play an important role in altering the world’s climate in possibly dangerous ways during this century.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Answer 3

Question

Chapter 15, Problem 1CR

To determine

Summarization regarding the potential for greatly increased production of oil and natural gas in the United States and the description of two major problems to overcome.

Expert Solution & Answer

Answer to Problem 1CR

The process of horizontal drilling involves drilling a vertical well deep into the earth, turning the flexible shaft of the drill and then horizontal drilling. In the case of hydraulic fracturing, the shale rock is fractured by high-pressure pumps and a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals is pumped through holes in the underground well pipe. These technologies have reduced the cost of oil extraction in the United States and reduced its dependency on oil imports. The major problems to overcome include enormous supply of water required for regional extraction of natural oil and gas and burning more carbon-containing fossil fuels gas; more amounts of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) will be released into the air faster than it can be eliminated by the carbon cycle.

Explanation of Solution

The oil and gas producers combined two extraction technologies, horizontal drilling, and hydraulic fracturing or fracking to reduce the cost of oil extraction.

The process of horizontal drilling involves the following:

(i). Drilling a vertical well deep into the earth.

(ii). Turning the flexible shaft of the drill.

(iii). Horizontal drilling to gain access to multiple oil and natural gas deposits.

The hydraulic fracturing or fracking is used to remove the oil and natural gas trapped in the shale rock. The shale rock is fractured by high-pressure pumps that force a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals through holes in the underground well pipe. A mixture of oil and natural gas and some amount of slurry flows out of the cracks when the pressure is released. The oil and gas with slurry are pumped to the surface through the well pipe. The returning slurry also contains some potentially harmful chemicals. The slurry is again injected under high pressure into deep underground wells and sent to sewage treatment plants.

These technologies are greatly increasing the production of oil and natural gas in the United States and reducing the cost of oil extraction. The United States is utilizing these technologies to reduce its dependency on oil imports. The increased supply has reduced the price of natural gas. It has accelerated a shift from coal to natural gas for generating electricity in the United States.

However, there are two major issues with this scenario.

1. Large-scale extraction of natural oil and gas present firmly in shale rock needs enormous quantities of water. It also produces heavily polluted wastewater. Along with this, leakages from oil and gas well piping systems can contaminate shallow water aquifers that feed many drinking water wells, as well as deep aquifers, unless the entire drilling, extraction, and wastewater treatment processes are strictly monitored and regulated to protect drinking water.
2. By burning more carbon-containing coal, oil, and natural gas, increasing amounts of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) will be continuously released into the air faster than they can be eliminated by the carbon cycle. Computer models project that growing atmospheric levels of these greenhouse gases will play an important role in altering the world’s climate in possibly dangerous ways during this century.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Answer 4

Question

Chapter 15, Problem 1CR

To determine

Summarization regarding the potential for greatly increased production of oil and natural gas in the United States and the description of two major problems to overcome.

Expert Solution & Answer

Answer to Problem 1CR

The process of horizontal drilling involves drilling a vertical well deep into the earth, turning the flexible shaft of the drill and then horizontal drilling. In the case of hydraulic fracturing, the shale rock is fractured by high-pressure pumps and a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals is pumped through holes in the underground well pipe. These technologies have reduced the cost of oil extraction in the United States and reduced its dependency on oil imports. The major problems to overcome include enormous supply of water required for regional extraction of natural oil and gas and burning more carbon-containing fossil fuels gas; more amounts of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) will be released into the air faster than it can be eliminated by the carbon cycle.

Explanation of Solution

The oil and gas producers combined two extraction technologies, horizontal drilling, and hydraulic fracturing or fracking to reduce the cost of oil extraction.

The process of horizontal drilling involves the following:

(i). Drilling a vertical well deep into the earth.

(ii). Turning the flexible shaft of the drill.

(iii). Horizontal drilling to gain access to multiple oil and natural gas deposits.

The hydraulic fracturing or fracking is used to remove the oil and natural gas trapped in the shale rock. The shale rock is fractured by high-pressure pumps that force a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals through holes in the underground well pipe. A mixture of oil and natural gas and some amount of slurry flows out of the cracks when the pressure is released. The oil and gas with slurry are pumped to the surface through the well pipe. The returning slurry also contains some potentially harmful chemicals. The slurry is again injected under high pressure into deep underground wells and sent to sewage treatment plants.

These technologies are greatly increasing the production of oil and natural gas in the United States and reducing the cost of oil extraction. The United States is utilizing these technologies to reduce its dependency on oil imports. The increased supply has reduced the price of natural gas. It has accelerated a shift from coal to natural gas for generating electricity in the United States.

However, there are two major issues with this scenario.

1. Large-scale extraction of natural oil and gas present firmly in shale rock needs enormous quantities of water. It also produces heavily polluted wastewater. Along with this, leakages from oil and gas well piping systems can contaminate shallow water aquifers that feed many drinking water wells, as well as deep aquifers, unless the entire drilling, extraction, and wastewater treatment processes are strictly monitored and regulated to protect drinking water.
2. By burning more carbon-containing coal, oil, and natural gas, increasing amounts of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) will be continuously released into the air faster than they can be eliminated by the carbon cycle. Computer models project that growing atmospheric levels of these greenhouse gases will play an important role in altering the world’s climate in possibly dangerous ways during this century.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!

Answer 5

Chapter 15, Problem 1CR

To determine

Summarization regarding the potential for greatly increased production of oil and natural gas in the United States and the description of two major problems to overcome.

Expert Solution & Answer

Answer to Problem 1CR

The process of horizontal drilling involves drilling a vertical well deep into the earth, turning the flexible shaft of the drill and then horizontal drilling. In the case of hydraulic fracturing, the shale rock is fractured by high-pressure pumps and a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals is pumped through holes in the underground well pipe. These technologies have reduced the cost of oil extraction in the United States and reduced its dependency on oil imports. The major problems to overcome include enormous supply of water required for regional extraction of natural oil and gas and burning more carbon-containing fossil fuels gas; more amounts of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) will be released into the air faster than it can be eliminated by the carbon cycle.

Explanation of Solution

The oil and gas producers combined two extraction technologies, horizontal drilling, and hydraulic fracturing or fracking to reduce the cost of oil extraction.

The process of horizontal drilling involves the following:

(i). Drilling a vertical well deep into the earth.

(ii). Turning the flexible shaft of the drill.

(iii). Horizontal drilling to gain access to multiple oil and natural gas deposits.

The hydraulic fracturing or fracking is used to remove the oil and natural gas trapped in the shale rock. The shale rock is fractured by high-pressure pumps that force a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals through holes in the underground well pipe. A mixture of oil and natural gas and some amount of slurry flows out of the cracks when the pressure is released. The oil and gas with slurry are pumped to the surface through the well pipe. The returning slurry also contains some potentially harmful chemicals. The slurry is again injected under high pressure into deep underground wells and sent to sewage treatment plants.

These technologies are greatly increasing the production of oil and natural gas in the United States and reducing the cost of oil extraction. The United States is utilizing these technologies to reduce its dependency on oil imports. The increased supply has reduced the price of natural gas. It has accelerated a shift from coal to natural gas for generating electricity in the United States.

However, there are two major issues with this scenario.

1. Large-scale extraction of natural oil and gas present firmly in shale rock needs enormous quantities of water. It also produces heavily polluted wastewater. Along with this, leakages from oil and gas well piping systems can contaminate shallow water aquifers that feed many drinking water wells, as well as deep aquifers, unless the entire drilling, extraction, and wastewater treatment processes are strictly monitored and regulated to protect drinking water.
2. By burning more carbon-containing coal, oil, and natural gas, increasing amounts of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) will be continuously released into the air faster than they can be eliminated by the carbon cycle. Computer models project that growing atmospheric levels of these greenhouse gases will play an important role in altering the world’s climate in possibly dangerous ways during this century.

Answer 6

Chapter 15, Problem 1CR

To determine

Summarization regarding the potential for greatly increased production of oil and natural gas in the United States and the description of two major problems to overcome.

Expert Solution & Answer

Answer to Problem 1CR

The process of horizontal drilling involves drilling a vertical well deep into the earth, turning the flexible shaft of the drill and then horizontal drilling. In the case of hydraulic fracturing, the shale rock is fractured by high-pressure pumps and a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals is pumped through holes in the underground well pipe. These technologies have reduced the cost of oil extraction in the United States and reduced its dependency on oil imports. The major problems to overcome include enormous supply of water required for regional extraction of natural oil and gas and burning more carbon-containing fossil fuels gas; more amounts of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) will be released into the air faster than it can be eliminated by the carbon cycle.

Explanation of Solution

The oil and gas producers combined two extraction technologies, horizontal drilling, and hydraulic fracturing or fracking to reduce the cost of oil extraction.

The process of horizontal drilling involves the following:

(i). Drilling a vertical well deep into the earth.

(ii). Turning the flexible shaft of the drill.

(iii). Horizontal drilling to gain access to multiple oil and natural gas deposits.

The hydraulic fracturing or fracking is used to remove the oil and natural gas trapped in the shale rock. The shale rock is fractured by high-pressure pumps that force a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals through holes in the underground well pipe. A mixture of oil and natural gas and some amount of slurry flows out of the cracks when the pressure is released. The oil and gas with slurry are pumped to the surface through the well pipe. The returning slurry also contains some potentially harmful chemicals. The slurry is again injected under high pressure into deep underground wells and sent to sewage treatment plants.

These technologies are greatly increasing the production of oil and natural gas in the United States and reducing the cost of oil extraction. The United States is utilizing these technologies to reduce its dependency on oil imports. The increased supply has reduced the price of natural gas. It has accelerated a shift from coal to natural gas for generating electricity in the United States.

However, there are two major issues with this scenario.

1. Large-scale extraction of natural oil and gas present firmly in shale rock needs enormous quantities of water. It also produces heavily polluted wastewater. Along with this, leakages from oil and gas well piping systems can contaminate shallow water aquifers that feed many drinking water wells, as well as deep aquifers, unless the entire drilling, extraction, and wastewater treatment processes are strictly monitored and regulated to protect drinking water.
2. By burning more carbon-containing coal, oil, and natural gas, increasing amounts of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) will be continuously released into the air faster than they can be eliminated by the carbon cycle. Computer models project that growing atmospheric levels of these greenhouse gases will play an important role in altering the world’s climate in possibly dangerous ways during this century.

Answer 7

Chapter 15, Problem 1CR

To determine

Summarization regarding the potential for greatly increased production of oil and natural gas in the United States and the description of two major problems to overcome.

Answer 8

Expert Solution & Answer

Answer to Problem 1CR

The process of horizontal drilling involves drilling a vertical well deep into the earth, turning the flexible shaft of the drill and then horizontal drilling. In the case of hydraulic fracturing, the shale rock is fractured by high-pressure pumps and a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals is pumped through holes in the underground well pipe. These technologies have reduced the cost of oil extraction in the United States and reduced its dependency on oil imports. The major problems to overcome include enormous supply of water required for regional extraction of natural oil and gas and burning more carbon-containing fossil fuels gas; more amounts of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) will be released into the air faster than it can be eliminated by the carbon cycle.

Answer 9

Expert Solution & Answer

Answer 10

Expert Solution & Answer

Answer 11

Explanation of Solution

The oil and gas producers combined two extraction technologies, horizontal drilling, and hydraulic fracturing or fracking to reduce the cost of oil extraction.

The process of horizontal drilling involves the following:

(i). Drilling a vertical well deep into the earth.

(ii). Turning the flexible shaft of the drill.

(iii). Horizontal drilling to gain access to multiple oil and natural gas deposits.

The hydraulic fracturing or fracking is used to remove the oil and natural gas trapped in the shale rock. The shale rock is fractured by high-pressure pumps that force a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals through holes in the underground well pipe. A mixture of oil and natural gas and some amount of slurry flows out of the cracks when the pressure is released. The oil and gas with slurry are pumped to the surface through the well pipe. The returning slurry also contains some potentially harmful chemicals. The slurry is again injected under high pressure into deep underground wells and sent to sewage treatment plants.

These technologies are greatly increasing the production of oil and natural gas in the United States and reducing the cost of oil extraction. The United States is utilizing these technologies to reduce its dependency on oil imports. The increased supply has reduced the price of natural gas. It has accelerated a shift from coal to natural gas for generating electricity in the United States.

However, there are two major issues with this scenario.

1. Large-scale extraction of natural oil and gas present firmly in shale rock needs enormous quantities of water. It also produces heavily polluted wastewater. Along with this, leakages from oil and gas well piping systems can contaminate shallow water aquifers that feed many drinking water wells, as well as deep aquifers, unless the entire drilling, extraction, and wastewater treatment processes are strictly monitored and regulated to protect drinking water.
2. By burning more carbon-containing coal, oil, and natural gas, increasing amounts of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) will be continuously released into the air faster than they can be eliminated by the carbon cycle. Computer models project that growing atmospheric levels of these greenhouse gases will play an important role in altering the world’s climate in possibly dangerous ways during this century.

Answer 12

Ch. 15 - Prob. 1CR Ch. 15 - Prob. 2CR Ch. 15 - Prob. 3CR Ch. 15 - Prob. 4CR Ch. 15 - Prob. 5CR Ch. 15 - Prob. 6CR Ch. 15 - Prob. 7CR Ch. 15 - Prob. 8CR Ch. 15 - Prob. 9CR Ch. 15 - Prob. 10CR

Summarization regarding the potential for greatly increased production of oil and natural gas in the United States and the description of two major problems to overcome.

Summarization regarding the potential for greatly increased production of oil and natural gas in the United States and the description of two major problems to overcome.

Answer to Problem 1CR

Explanation of Solution

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Chapter 15 Solutions