Which method is used to extract oil or gas by fracturing rock?

Which method is used to extract oil or gas by fracturing rock?

• A. Fracking
• B. Drilling
• C. Mining
• D. Erosion

Answer: (A)

Hydraulic fracturing uses high-pressure fluid to crack rock and create pathways for oil or gas to flow toward the well. This is especially important in rocks with low natural permeability, like shale, where oil or gas can’t move easily without fractures. The injected fluid often contains proppants such as sand to keep the cracks open once the pressure drops, allowing continuous production. This approach is different from drilling, which is just making the hole to access the resource; mining involves removing solid minerals; and erosion is a natural wearing away process.

Hydraulic fracturing uses high-pressure fluid to crack rock and create pathways for oil or gas to flow toward the well. This is especially important in rocks with low natural permeability, like shale, where oil or gas can’t move easily without fractures. The injected fluid often contains proppants such as sand to keep the cracks open once the pressure drops, allowing continuous production. This approach is different from drilling, which is just making the hole to access the resource; mining involves removing solid minerals; and erosion is a natural wearing away process.