Fracking Of Gas From Unconventional Deposits Essay

The term â€Å"unconventional mining† refers to the removal of gas from unconventional deposits. This includes shale gas (shale rock), tight gas (certain sandstones mainly) and coal seam gas mining (from coal seams). (â€Å"Fracking in western Australia - the basics,† 2015) The extraction of Shale and tight gas in particular relies upon a controversial practice called hydraulic fracturing or â€Å"fracking†. This technique may also be used in coal seam gas extraction, although less frequently. Unconventional mining – mainly fracking - has become an increasingly politically sensitive issue in Australia and around the world, to the point where it may even help swing seats in regional areas. Conventional coal and gas mining does not involve extraction from unconventional reservoirs, and thus almost never involves fracking, although there are many other issues associated with it. (Hepburn Cook, 2015) The fracking process itself involves drilling a deep well i nto an underground rock formation, which then has fluids pumped into it at extremely high pressures – pressures high enough to form small scale cracks in the extremely hard rock. The high pressure of the fluid causes the rock to shatter, after which the fluid is mostly withdrawn and gas is released. â€Å"Unconventional gas† is found in gas deposits trapped within deep geological formations, often within shale rock, coal deposits or tight sandstone. Most deposits exploited in Australia can be found close to east coast and also in the south ofShow MoreRelatedA Brief Note On Shale Gas And Natural Gas1745 Words   |  7 PagesShale gas is a natural gas that can be extracted from the fabric of shale rocks by means of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. 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