CHAPTER - 2 OIL DRILLING AND SPILLS Advantages of Hydraulic Fracturing

 Increased the availability of domestic energy sources, reducing

Hydraulic fracturing
reliance on foreign oil and gas imports.
• Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a drilling method used to extract
 The fracking industry has created jobs and contributed to economic
petroleum (oil) or natural gas from deep in the Earth.
growth.
• A well is drilled vertically, typically several thousand feet deep, until it
 Fracking has contributed to the shift from coal to natural gas,
reaches the shale rock that contains the trapped oil or gas.
• Then it turns horizontally for thousands of feet to increase the  Hydraulic fracturing has enabled countries to achieve greater energy

exposure to the gas- or oil-rich rock, maximizing production. independence.

• Multiple layers of casing and cement are used to isolate the well from  Fracking allows the extraction of oil and natural gas from deep

surrounding environments. underground rock.

• Cracks are opened and widened by injecting water, chemicals, and

sand at high pressure. Disadvantages of Hydraulic Fracturing

• This causes the rocks to split up, releasing the oil and natural gas.  Fracking requires millions of gallons of water per well, which can strain

• The fracturing fluid begins to flow back to the surface called "flowback," local water supplies.

contains the original fracturing fluid, natural brine and hydrocarbons  There is a risk that these chemicals could contaminate underground

from the rock formation. water sources if not properly managed.

 Fracking can cause small earthquakes or induced seismicity.
The three components of hydraulic fracking  Fracking operations release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into
• Water is plentiful, easy to handle and can be pumped under pressure. the atmosphere.
• Chemicals are added to assist the process and to stop the blockage  Spills of fracking fluids or wastewater can also contaminate surface
of pipes, but many of them toxic. water.
• Sand is used to keep the cracks in the rock open as they occur  The clearing of land can disrupt local ecosystems, leading to habitat
allowing the oil and gas to escape, it is sometimes referred to as the destruction and biodiversity loss.
proppant.

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The causes for marine oil spills Economic impacts of oil spill
• leakage from the rigs: Underwater pipelines can corrode or wear out • Many fisheries may be closed temporarily or permanently leading to
over time, leading to leaks. significant losses in commercial fisheries.
• A leak or rupture in hoses, valves, pipes or fittings used in the transfer • Loss of livelihoods for the coastal communities depend on fishing.
process can also result in spills. • The damage caused by oil spills can reduce the attractiveness of
• Accidents involving oil tankers, such as collisions with other vessels or natural areas, discouraging ecotourism and recreational activities.
running aground on rocks or reefs. • Tourists tend to avoid areas affected by oil spills, leading to a decline
• Older or poorly maintained oil tankers may experience hull ruptures or in revenues and job loss for hotels, restaurants, and other businesses.
structural failures that lead to spills. • Cleaning up oil spills is a costly and labor-intensive process, involving
• Malfunctions in drilling equipment, pipelines, or safety systems on large teams, specialised equipment, and long timeframes.
offshore oil platforms can result in spills. • Oil spills can disrupt shipping lanes and port operations, causing
delays in the transport of goods.
Environmental impacts of oil spill
• Crude oil is thick, dark and sticky. It is also flammable. The impact of Management of oil pollution
an oil spill can be devastating. Managing oil pollution requires a comprehensive approach that focuses
• Oil can coat the gills of fish, suffocating them, and interfere with the on
respiratory systems of marine mammals like whales and dolphins. 1. Prevention of Oil Pollution
• Seabirds that come into contact with oil often get their feathers 2. Preparedness for Oil Spills
coated, which reduces their ability to 3. Response to Oil Spills
• Oil can kill vegetation and marine organisms that inhabit these areas.
• Bioaccumulation: Oil toxins can accumulate in the tissues of smaller Prevention of Oil Pollution
organisms, over time, the concentration can increase, affecting entire the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and national
food chains. environmental protection agencies outlined strict regulations.
• The damage or removal of any marine organism will have an impact Governments and international organizations enforce strict regulations to
on the food chain food web for the area. prevent oil spills.
• Oil spills can smother coral reefs, blocking sunlight and inhibiting their MARPOL is an International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution
ability to photosynthesise. from Ships.

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Under the MARPOL regulations, 6. Use defined shipping routes; and use satellite navigation to guide
• Ships are required to carry specific certificates under each annex. ships;
• All tankers must be certificated to show they have appropriate systems
in place and records to show that they are being used. Response to Oil Spills
• Ships must be equipped with an Oil Discharge Monitoring and Control Use of floating booms (to trap oil): It is a floating barrier that can be
System (ODMC). used to surround the oil slick and prevent it spreading to other areas.
• Ships that fail to meet regulations can be detained or fined. Skimmers (to remove oil from the surface); Skimmers are mechanical
devices that remove oil from the water's surface.
Oil tankers design In-Situ Burning: controlled in-situ burning is used to remove oil from the
1. More compartments: An increase in the number of compartments surface of the water.
contained within the hull of the ship; if there is damage in one section the Dispersants (Detergents to break up oil) help break down the oil slick
contents of the whole hull are not lost. into smaller droplets and disperse it.
2. Double hulls: Double hulls provide an extra layer of protection to Oil-Eating microorganisms can be introduced into the affected
prevent oil spills in case of a hull breach. environment to help speed up the natural degradation of the oil.
Vacuum Trucks: Large vacuum systems are used to suck up the oil and
Preparedness for Oil Spills: water mixture from the ocean's surface for treatment and disposal.
1. Every oil company or operator is required to have an Oil Spill
Response Plan (OSRP) in place.
2. Regular drills and response exercises are essential to test
preparedness.
3. Satellite imagery, drones, and underwater sensors can be used to
detect oil spills early.
4. Advanced tracking systems such as the Automatic Identification
System (AIS) and radar monitoring help authorities track ship
movements.
5. Partnerships between oil companies, governments, and local
communities ensure a coordinated and swift response to spills.

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