Fracking drill rig. Fracking or hydraulic fracturing is a drilling technique used to extract gas from shale deposits. A mixture of sand, chemicals and

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Fracking drill rig. Fracking or hydraulic fracturing is a drilling technique used to extract gas from shale deposits. A mixture of sand, chemicals and water is pumped under high pressure from the surface to underground horizontal wells. The pressure forms fissures (fractures) in the shale. The sand keeps the fissures open, allowing gas to flow into the well and rise to the surface. The main drill rig is used to drill a well prior to the hydraulic fracturing process. This is part of exploratory drilling being carried out to assess the potential of the Fayetteville Shale in Arkansas, USA.

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Size: 5117px × 3425px
Photo credit: © BILL CUNNINGHAM/US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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