Dear Editor:
In reading the article related to horizontal hydraulic fracturing in the last issue of the Cochrane Eagle, I must suggest that you make some effort toward fair and balanced reporting by printing articles where other opinions are given equivalent space.
Regarding this article, several misleading statements need clarification.
The statement that the chemicals used in this process have been disclosed ignores the fact that many of the products used are considered proprietary trade secrets and are simply described as to their action, eg. “biocide,” rather than being disclosed as to their exact chemical ingredients.
The statement that the cementing used “prevents any completion or production fluids from coming to the surface on the outside of the casing” has been contested by prominent scientists who contend that the cementing in these wells is very likely to crack. We have experienced many earth tremors in this area since “fracking” began.
The effect of these tremors on the cement casing has not been determined. This statement also ignores scientists’ warnings that natural faults, which abound in our area, could provide a conduit for frack fluids to migrate into the aquifer. The high pressures used in these operations are considered likely to assist in this upward migration.
The water testing touted by the industry typically consists only of studies of amount and flow of the wells, and potability. Testing for the fluids involved in fracking is not regularly done before, during or after operations. The kind offer of testing after fracking, if contamination is suspected, is a case of locking the barn door after the horse has bolted. How will contaminated water ever be replaced? Once gone, pure water is gone forever. The statement that 175,000 wells have been fracked in Alberta is very misleading.
Vertical fracturing has been done for some time; ill effects have been limited to a relatively small area. Approximately 3,000 wells have been fracked in Alberta using high pressure horizontal hydraulic fracturing, which has been implemented here for only 10 years. Lawsuits and residents’ complaints testify to the myriad of problems experienced since it began.
The minimizing of the amounts of chemicals used is also misleading. Although the fracking fluids contain a small percentage of toxic chemicals, the overall volumes of water and additives are huge. The article completely ignores the issue of air pollution, which has been well documented in other jurisdictions where this method has been used.
Nielle Hawkwood
