ESSAY: HYDRAULIC FRACTURING

The hydraulic fracturing best known as “fracking” is widely known for being a controversial
method of enhanced oil recovery. In fact, many european countries have banned this practice in
order to preserve the environment.

Nevertheless, the researches that claim this procedure damages the environment are unclear. As
corroborative evidence of this, in Mexico as a result of the changes in the articles 25,26 and 28 of
our Constitution this procedure will be allowed.

There are several benefits supported by the most outstanding enterprises in the hydrocarbon
field, such as:

 Increases economic activity and employment

 Access to more gas and oil
 Reduces the imports of foreign oil
 Lower prices for oil and gas

In addition, in our country, specifically in Sabinas, Burro-Picacho and Burgos basins, the non-
conventional reservoirs discovered a long time ago, signify an important opportunity to improve
our economy affected by the lowering of prices in the global oil market.

According to Comisión Nacional de Hidrocarburos (CNH), governmental dependence that regulates

the hydrocarbon extraction and production,in a conference predicting the use of fossil fuels and
alternative energies until 2040:

 Renewable energies won’t be applied commonly

 Gas usage will increment considerably
 The potential in the reservoirs mentioned is 68.8 billion cubic feet

However, due to the polemics of this method, there are organizations formed to protest against its
usage. Those arguments are:

 Reduce the safe water

 Contributes to global warming
 Pollutes the water resources
 Impacts on human health
 Interferes with activities like tourism, agriculture, livestock

In my humble opinion, fracking opens a new panorama in the hydrocarbon sector and could mean
a new income to our country and the generation of new jobs needed for us the students who are
about to enter to the work sector.