Science of hydraulic fracturing contains materials questions

Melissae Fellet states that the science of hydraulic fracturing contains several materials issues that need to be addressed. A 2012 report on hydraulic fracturing prepared by the Pacific Institute, a non-profit research group has found few peer-reviewed literature on the process or its environmental impacts, with opinion dominating dialogue on the issue. The expertise of materials research and debate over the issues being faced in hydraulic fracturing can helping in bringing more science-based information to the debate. Hydraulic fracturing involves injecting a high-pressure fluid into the shale to generate a network of cracks through which gas and oil can flow. This process, when combined with horizontal drilling to increase access to the hydrocarbons, became economically viable for horizontal wells in shales only in the early 2000s.