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Key Facts

Getting the Fracts Straight
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Hydraulic Fracturing Has Among the Lowest Water Usage per Energy Unit of Major Energy Extraction Methods

Key Fracts
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Resource Extraction Water Usage Comparison

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Gal./Water per Million British Thermal
Units of Fuel (gal/MMBtu)

for Various Energy Resource
Extraction Methods

graph showing shale gas and shale oil being on par or less than most other energy production in terms of water usage
GAL./WATER PER MILLION BRITISH THERMAL UNITS OF FUEL (GAL/MMBTU) FOR VARIOUS ENERGY RESOURCES EXTRACTION METHODS SHALE GASSHALE OILURANIUM MININGCOAL MININGSAUDI ARABIANOIL PRODUCTIONPRIMARY/SECONDARYOIL PRODUCTIONCORN ETHANOLBIODIESEL (SOY) 0.6 to 1.8 7.2 to 38 1.4 to 62 10.0 to 33.3 1.0 to 6.0 1.0 to 6.0 83 13,800 to 60,000 20 0 40 60 80 100

Composition of Fracturing Fluid

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98-99% WATER & SAND 1–2% CHEMICALS
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Hydraulic Fracturing Adds Water to the Atmosphere

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Burning methane (CH4) produces carbon dioxide and water. A hydraulic fracturing well uses approximately five million gallons of water with 80% underground, producing 1 billion cu. ft. of gas over 10 years. Burning the gas will replace the four million gallons of water left underground in 6 months, producing 11 million gallons over 10 years. The process adds water vapor to the atmosphere in the hydrological cycle.

H 2 O Burning gas 5 million gal. 10 YEARS 10 YEARS 6 mo. 80% underground H 2 0 added to atmosphere 1 billioncubic ft.gas 4 million gal. H 2 O replaced converts 11 million gal. H 2 O

Source: Fret or Fete: Property Rights Policy Alternatives for Hydraulic Fracturing Oversight

 

By 2035, Hydraulic Fracturing Will Be Connected to 3.5 Million Jobs, $475 Billion in Economic Activity, and $125 Billion in Tax Revenues

Source: Fret or Fete: Property Rights Policy Alternatives for Hydraulic Fracturing Oversight

 

Switching to Natural Gas has Accounted for 88% of the US's Total Reduction in CO2 Emmisions

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, October 2015 Monthly Energy Review, Table 12.6

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