The debate on fracking in France by Dorcas, Corentin, and Madison

Introduction
Shale gas is natural gas contained in rocks. This natural gas is much exploited. It is contained in impermeable rock. In 2007, there were 688 deposits around the world. It has been operated for more than a century. To extract the gas, the technique is based on directional drilling, hydraulic fracturing associated with a large number of wells. The total cost of a single bore hole is between 8 and 10 million Euros. This extraction technique causes considerable pollution because it produces a lot of carbon dioxide (CO2) and many chemicals are used; also there is a high amount of water which is not recovered.

Method of extraction
First of all this method consists in fracturing rocks below which the gas is trapped. After finding a space where the rocks contain shale gas, a shaft is drilled to reach the layer of shale between 2300 and 3000 meters underground. Before fracturing the rock, the shaft is reinforced in a concrete lining. An explosive charge is placed at the end of the shaft and then is detonated in order to fracture the layer of shale where the gas is located. After smashing the rock, fracturing fluid is propelled at high pressure to remove cracks and recover the gas. This fracturing fluid is essentially composed of an important quantity of water, sand and many chemicals ( for example : Lubricants, Detergents … ). The gas extracted still contains fracturing fluid. All that remains is for the gas to be separated from the liquid and the gas to be collected.

The Advantages
The main advantage, according to its proponents; is that Shale gas is a cheap source of energy.

The Disadvantages 
The question is why do people think Fracking is a bad thing? This method of extraction has many disadvantages like for example: The fracking and the drilling process is noisy, which bothers people living close by and this method of extraction requires huge quantities of water. When the rock is shattered, the shaft may have cracks and gas and liquid will escape through porous rock, thus polluting the water table. The separation of gas and fracturing fluid produces carbon dioxide as well as methane. It also has harmful effects on the health of those working on the drilling sites who suffer from high levels of benzene in their blood.

In France: what is the opinion about this method?
France, with Poland, are the countries in Europe which have the biggest reserves of shale gas. The principal supplies are located in the North East and South-East of the country. In France fracking is highly controversial. Indeed in June 2011, France became the first country to ban the fracking method because the French government considered it to be too dangerous for the environment. However new research continues in order to find other ways of extracting which damage the environment less.