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Fracking Effects on Local Community Traffic
Fracking derek

What is fracking?

Hydraulic fracturing, hydrofracking or “fracking”, as it’s commonly known, is a controversial oil and gas extraction technique that involves the smashing of rock with millions of gallons of water, sand and an undisclosed assortment of chemicals in order to bring gas to the surface. This technique was developed in the late 1940s and has been used extensively since the 1950s in the U.S. and Canada to gain access to fossil energy deposits previously inaccessible to drilling operations.

What does fracking involve?

The fracking process is undertaken after the well has been drilled. Fracking is normally carried out along different sections of a well in what is called a multi-stage fracking operation. Total volumes of water used can vary considerably, from 396,258 gallons to 11,887,742 gallons per well. As with initial water demand, the flowback volumes are variable. In U.S. operations, the volumes returning can be 5-50% of the injected volume. A production well pad could include 12 or more wells which may be re-fracked several times. As a result, it becomes necessary to remove flowback water from those sites both during and after the fracking process.

How does fracking affect traffic on roadways?

In the U.S. and Canada, the removal of flowback is typically done over-the-road. As you can imagine, transporting millions of gallons of flowback requires a considerable number of tanker trucks that subsequently generate a heavy increase in traffic in the communities where these operations take place. But aside from the actual fracking and waste disposal traffic, there will also be traffic generated by operations including construction, excavation, movement of materials and equipment for drilling, and general movement of workers to and from the well.

As a result of this increase in traffic, there is the potential for an increase in the number of accidents involving such things as:

  • Direct bodily injury
  • Damage to property
  • Accidental spillage of materials or chemicals resulting in harmful exposure

fracking process infographic

I’ve been injured as a result of fracking operations. What can I do?

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of fracking operations, call the Law Office of Richard Schechter today for your free legal consultation.

Richard Schechter has extensive experience representing individuals who have been injured on well sites, including during fracking operations. With more than 35 years of experience, Richard understands the complexity and nuances of fracking-related accident cases and will work tirelessly to get you the compensation to which you’re legally entitled.

Call the Law Office of Richard Schechter today at 1-800-734-5612 to get your legal questions answered, with no obligation. We look forward to working with you to get every penny you deserve.

About the Author

Zach Young
Zach Young
author

A Passion for Justice