North Texans will want to know the answer to where the fracking sand comes from because EOG has a permit to start frack sand mining in North Texas.
Frack sand mining is another one of those environmental issues that the industry doesn’t disclose when they ask for your signature on that mineral lease. It requires massive amounts of water, carries health risks and causes a lot of environmental destruction.
Get all the details including who to contact and what to do on EARTHblog.
About Sharon Wilson
Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.
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I have been led to believe that frack sand (maybe all sand?) has very fine particles that can pass readiy through human tissue and get directly into organs. Presumeably this would be a substantial risk to those living downwind of frack sites and to rig workers.
Stan Scobie, Binghamton, NY
Silica sand dust is a very serious air pollutant. These particles have particularly sharp edges which easily embed themselves (permanently) in human tissue, especially lung tissue.
Nuclear plants, radiation and toxic waste dumps for other states to use too, all the components that are part of the process in gas drilling-including injection wells, now this. How much more can the Barnett Shale and Texas take….
The Sky is Falling, the Sky is Falling…………Don't worry my little one, it will all be over soon!
The Legislature is almost done and October looms on the horizon……
Texas is known worldwide as a "dumping ground" state. Corporate power (especially O&G) RULES in Texas.
Silly Wabbit, silica is a man-made glass product. As an Ex Halliburton V-16 equipment operator sizes range 10/20, 20/20, 20/40 & 40/40, naturally increasing in size according to the Wentworth scale. Dust associated with manufacturing, handling & pumping should be taken. Sort of like when your outside and the sand, dirt, dust blow towards you you put a handkerchief on or more comanly know as a Level I filter mask which can be purchased at Waly-Mart for $4.95 for 12.
There are much worse things going on in oilfield than fracking. You were looking for a fight to pick and the word fracking rhymed with fu@king so you play your word games.
There have been only a "few" frack relayed water contamination cases. Several of them were in New Mexico/Colorado border area when the drilling for shallow coal gas was taking place. This is where the coal is from 50' to 500'deep and have water tables above and below. These operations have stopped.
Of greater concern is abandoned/historical salt water pits.
I have investigated hundreds of water complaints alleging hydrocarbon contamination and found the pits to be the most dangerous as far as water goes.
Loose the fun word and get you priorities in order. Hell the oilfield been around for 100 years.
You think places like Kilgore, Midland, Borger, Houston whine about operations? It,s all about MY 40 acre RANCHET and its not like they said it would be.
P.G.
Dear HighPlains,
Thanks much for your oh-so-informative comment. However…
"The composition of sand is highly variable, depending on the local rock sources and conditions, but the most common constituent of sand in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal settings is silica (silicon dioxide, or SiO2), usually in the form of quartz."
Industry likes to mine frack sand that has a certain size of quartz crystal. If you live in an area where they have that size, then you will probably end up feeling like you've been fracked. Who wants to walk around wearing protective gear all the time. Not fun at a picnic, ball game or on the swing set.
As an ex Halliburton employee, I hope you didn't believe all the bull your employer told you. Be sure to get regular checkups and cancer screenings.
Good luck.
Oh–High Plains Drifter–you poor industry mouthpiece! How uninformed you are! How much silica fine dust have you breathed in on a regular basis??
Dear HighPlains,
I cannot allow your lewd comment. We try to keep this blog family friendly.
Obviously, you have no further arguments to make or you would't have resorted to junior high locker room talk.
I living in the Camp Air/Katemcy area of Mason, Texas where a frac sand mining company has purchased land and wants to build a plant. They have applied for an air permit and requested that the local ground water district change their irrigation permits of past land owners to commerials permits. We were able to have the vote on water permits posponded until Oct. 6th. Many locals have requested contested case hearings
with TCEQ for air permits and many others have sent comments expressing concerns. We know we are at the point of needing legal presentation for moving against the sand plant. All in area are aware of the health and enviromental problems a frac sand mine poses. Any ideas as to where we as Residents from Katemcy/Camp Air find help? Sincerely, LG Nesloney
You can contact me (see menu at top) but there is little that I can do to help other than increasing awareness of the issue. Texas mining laws are wide open. I would love to work on this issue but I’m completely overwhelmed by the drilling and fracking.
Do contact me though. You can send me information and I’ll put you in touch with others.