I-hydraulic fracturing, eyaziwa kakhulu ngokuthi i-fracking, iyindlela yokuvuselela imithombo kawoyela negesi eyenze yaba yinto ebalulekile embonini kawoyela negesi yesimanje ukuze kukhishwe igesi yemvelo kanye nawoyela ongahluziwe ezindaweni zamadwala ajulile angaphansi komhlaba. Le ndlela ithembele ekujoveni ingxube yomlilo enomfutho ophakeme—evame ukwakhiwa ngamanzi, isihlabathi noma i-ceramic proppant, kanye nezinye izithako zamakhemikhali ezikhethwe ngokucophelela—ezindaweni ezingaphansi komhlaba ukuze kwakheke futhi kukhule imifantu lapho ama-hydrocarbon angakwazi ukuhamba khona kalula ngase-wellbore. Emashumini amabili eminyaka adlule, i-hydraulic fracturing isishintshe kakhulu izimakethe zamandla emhlabeni wonke ngokuvula izindawo ezinkulu zamandla ezivame ukubhekwa njengezingabizi ukufinyelela ngendlela yokubhoboza evamile. Le ndlela isibe yisisekelo sokukhiqizwa kwamandla, ikakhulukazi e-United States, lapho yenze yanda kakhulu ukukhiqizwa kwasekhaya futhi yanciphisa ukuncika emafutheni angaphandle, kuyilapho ikhiqiza izigidigidi zamadola emisebenzini yezomnotho. Ukuqonda kokubili amandla kanye nezingxabano ezizungeze i-hydraulic fracturing kubalulekile kochwepheshe bamandla, abenzi bezinqubomgomo, abatyali zimali, kanye nezakhamizi okufanele zihambe ezindabeni eziyinkimbinkimbi ezitholakala ekukhishweni kwezinsiza zesimanje. Lesi sihloko sihlose ukunikeza ukubuka konke okulinganiselayo, okubanzi kwe-hydraulic fracturing, sihluza izinzuzo zayo zezomnotho, izingozi zemvelo, izinqubo zobuchwepheshe, indawo yokulawula, kanye nemiphumela emphakathini kuyilapho kugqanyiswa izindlela zokuthuthukisa imikhuba yezimboni esimeme.

Ukuqhakazela kwe-hydraulic kudlula kude kakhulu ekukhipheni amandla okulula; kuthinta i-geopolitics, umnotho kazwelonke, impilo yezemvelo, kanye nezinga lezenhlalo ngendlela enkulu kulo lonke izwekazi eline-shale potential. Imisebenzi yokuqhakazela ivumele izinkampani zamandla ukuthi zifinyelele ezindaweni ze-shale ezingafinyelelwanga ngaphambili eNyakatho Melika, eYurophu, e-Asia, nase-Australia, okuguqule ngokuphelele izinto zokuhlinzekwa kwamandla emhlabeni wonke futhi kuguqule ibhalansi yamandla ekuhwebeni kwamandla omhlaba. Kodwa-ke, ukwanda okusheshayo kwale misebenzi kuphinde kwavusa ingxoxo ebukhali phakathi kososayensi, abalawuli, kanye nomphakathi mayelana nokusimama kwabo kwesikhathi eside nokuphepha kwabo uma kuqhathaniswa nezinye izindlela zokukhiqiza amandla. Abagxeki babonisa ubungozi obungaba khona njengokungcola kwamanzi angaphansi komhlaba, ukuzamazama komhlaba okubangelwa, ukungcola komoya, kanye nokuphazamiseka kwe-ecosystem, kanti abasekeli bagcizelela izinzuzo ezinkulu zezomnotho kanye nokuthola amandla okuphepha okulethwa yimisebenzi yokuqhakazela ezifundeni ezikhiqizayo. Lesi sihloko sihlinzeka ngokuhlola okuphelele kwazo zonke izici eziyinhloko zokuqhakazela kwe-hydraulic ukuze abafundi bakwazi ukuthola ukuqonda okubanzi, okusekelwe ebufakazini ngalendlela yokukhiqiza yezimboni ebalulekile kanye nemiphumela yayo esikhathini esizayo samandla.

I-Hydraulic fracturing iyindlela eqinisekisiwe yokuvuselela eseyisetshenziswa ngokwezentengiso kusukela ngasekupheleni kwawo-1940s, nakuba ukusetshenziswa kwayo kuye kwanda kakhulu eminyakeni yamuva ngenxa yentuthuko ekuborweni okuyisicaba nasezobuchwepheshe bokumpompa okunamandla aphezulu. Le nqubo ihilela ukudala imifantu emaqongeni edwala ngokujova uketshezi ngengcindezi edlula amandla okudabuka kwedwala, ngaleyo ndlela kwandise ukungena kwamanzi kwendawo yokugcina futhi kuvumele uwoyela negesi abanjwe ukuba vumelane nomthombo. Imisebenzi yesimanje ye-hydraulic fracturing ngokuvamile ihlose amaqonga anokungena okuncane njenge-shale, i-tight sandstone, namathangi egesi le-coalbed, adinga ukuvuselelwa okwenziwa ngabantu ukuze akhiqize ngamanani angathenjwa ngokwezomnotho. Le ndlela ivule izinsiza zamandla ezingokwemvelo ezilinganiselwa kumakhulu ezibhakede eziyibhiliyoni zama-oil equivalent emhlabeni wonke, iguqule ngokuyisisekelo umbono wokutholakala kwamandla okubandayo esikhathini eside. Ezinkampanini ezibandakanyeka ekuborweni kukayeleni, ukukhethwa kwezinto ezifanele zokubopha, ukwakheka koketshezi, namashejuli okumpompa kubalulekile ukuze kuthuthukiswe ukusebenza komthombo futhi kuqinisekiswe ukuthi imisebenzi yokubopha iletha inzuzo enkulu yokutshalwa kwezimali ngesikhathi sokuphila komthombo. Njengoba imboni iqhubeka nentuthuko, imizamo eqhubekayo yocwaningo nentuthuko igxile ekuthuthukiseni ukusebenza kahle, ukunciphisa umthelela emvelweni, nokwelula ukufinyelela kobuchwepheshe bokubopha ezindaweni eziyinkimbinkimbi ngokwengeziwe.

Izinzuzo zezomnotho ze-hydraulic fracturing zinkulu futhi ziqinisekisiwe, nomkhakha udala imisebenzi eyizigidi ekhokhela kahle ngqo ekugojweni, ekuqedelweni, nokukhiqizwa, kanye nangokungaqondile ngokusebenzisa izinto ezihlinzekwa ezisekelayo ezisebenza imisebenzi yokuhlakaza. Imisebenzi yokuhlakaza yehlise kakhulu izindleko zamandla kubathengi nabasebenzisi bemboni, yandisa ukuncintisana kokukhiqiza futhi yandisa imali engenayo yasekhaya ezifundeni lapho ukuthuthukiswa kwe-shale kusebenza khona futhi kunamandla. Ngokuvumela ukukhiqizwa kwamafutha negesi yemvelo ekhaya, i-hydraulic fracturing yehlise ukuncika emithonjeni yamandla angaphandle emazweni amaningi, ngaleyo ndlela yandisa ukuphepha kwezwe futhi ivikela izomnotho ekushintsheni kwezimakethe zamandla zomhlaba wonke. Amazwe anezindawo ezinkulu ze-shale, okubalwa kuzo i-United States, iCanada, neChina, asebenzise ubuchwepheshe bokuhlakaza uwoyela ukuguqula izimo zawo zamandla, kanti amanye asuka ekubeni abangenisa izimpahla abe ngabathumeli abakhulu bamandla ezinsimbi futhi ashintsha ibhalansi yezohwebo yomhlaba wonke kule nqubo. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ukuthuthukiswa kwemisebenzi yokuhlakaza kuye kwadala ubuchwepheshe obusha emikhakheni eminingi ehlobene, kusuka ekukhiqizeni izinto zokugojwa ezithuthukisiwe kanye nobuchwepheshe bezinzwa ezansi komhlaba kuya kwezobunjiniyela bamachweba kanye nezinhlelo zokuqapha imvelo. Ukuze uthole ukubuka okujulile ukuthi abakhiqizi abahamba phambili basekela kanjani le misebenzi, vakashela kuIKHAYA leli khasi le-Hebei Kaiyuan Oil Proppant Co., Ltd., inkampani ezibophezele ekukhiqizeni ama-proppants asezingeni eliphezulu abalulekile ekuhlukanisweni kwamafutha ngokucindezela amanzi okuphumelelayo.

Ngaphandle kwezinzuzo ezinkulu zomnotho, ukuqhekeka kwama-hydraulic nakho kunikeza izinto ezibalulekile ezisetshenziswa ezinkulungwaneni zemikhiqizo yezimboni, okubandakanya amapulasitiki, umquba, imithi, izintambo ezenziweyo, kanye nezinhlobonhlobo eziningi zemikhiqizo ye-petrochemical esekela impilo yesimanje. Ukutholakala okuningi kwegesi lemvelo kusuka emithonjeni eqhekekile kuholele ekushintsheni okukhulu kude nokukhiqizwa kukagesi osuka emalahleni ezindaweni eziningi, okuholele ekwehleni okulinganisekayo kwemikhiqizo ye-carbon dioxide lapho igesi lemvelo ithathe indawo yemithombo enamandla kakhulu ekhuphukayo emkhakheni kagesi. Imiphakathi yasendaweni ezindaweni ezikhiqiza uwoyela negesi ivame ukubona ukukhula okukhulu kwezomnotho, ngokwanda kwamathuba emisebenzi, ukwanda kwamanani ezindlu, kanye nokwanda kwezinsizakalo zomphakathi ezixhaswa yintela yezimboni, izinkokhelo zokuqashisa, kanye nemali engenayo yobukhosi egeleza ngqo kumabhajethi endawo. Imiphakathi yabomdabu neyasemakhaya eyayibhekene nobunzima bezomnotho ngaphambili ngezinye izikhathi ibone ukuthuthukiswa okuguquguqukayo kwingqalasizinda, imfundo, kanye nempilo yomphakathi ngokusebenzisa izivumelwano zokwabelana ngemali engenayo nezinkampani zamandla ezisebenzisa imisebenzi yokuqhekeka ezindaweni zazo noma eduze kwezindawo zazo. Umphumela wokwandisa walezi zikhuthazo zezomnotho udlulela ezinhlelweni zokuhlinzekwa esifundeni, kuzuza abakhiqizi bezimishini, abahlinzeki bezokuthutha, amabhizinisi ezokwamukela izihambi, izinkampani zokwakha, kanye nezinhlobonhlobo eziningi zezinkampani zezinsizakalo ezisekela imboni yamandla. Lapho imisebenzi yokuqhekeka yenziwa ngendlela efanele futhi ngokubandakanyeka komphakathi okufanele, ukukhula kwezomnotho kungakha izinzuzo ezihlala njalo ezidlula kude impilo yokusebenza yemithombo ngayinye.

Ngaphandle kwez contributions zalo ezinkulu kwezomnotho, i-hydraulic fracturing iphatha izingozi ezinkulu zemvelo ezidinga ukuhlolwa ngokucophelela, ukuqapha okucacile, namasu okuvimba ngaphambili kusuka kubasebenzi bemboni nabaphathi abalawulayo. Enye yezinkinga ezicindezelayo kakhulu ukungcola okungenzeka kwezinsiza zamanzi angaphansi komhlaba namanzi angaphezulu ngokuhamba kwezinsiza zokuhlukumeza, amanzi abuyayo, noma izinto ezilimazayo ezikhona ngokwemvelo ezikhona ngaphansi komhlaba lapho kuqhutshwa imisebenzi yokuhlukumeza. Izifundo eziningi ezibuyekezwe ontanga ziqinisekisile izimo zokuhamba kukamethane emanzini okuphuza aseduze nezindawo zokuhlukumeza, kanye nokukhululwa kwezinsimbi ezisindayo njenge-arsenic, i-lead, ne-mercury kanye nezinto zemvelo eziyingozi ezikhona kwezinye izindawo ze-shale. Izilinganiso ezinkulu zamanzi ezidingekayo ku-hydraulic fracturing—ezivame ukusuka kumalitha ayizigidi ezimbili kuye kweziyishumi ezigidini umthombo ngamunye—zibeka ingcindezi enkulu ezinsizeni zamanzi ahlanzekile endawo, ikakhulukazi ezindaweni ezomile noma ezinezomiso lapho ukushoda kwamanzi sekuyinkinga enkulu kwezolimo nemiphakathi. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ukulahlwa kwamanzi akhiqiziwe kanye noketshezi olubuyayo ngokusebenzisa imithombo yokujova ejulile kuye kwaxhunyaniswa ngokubangela ukuzamazama komhlaba, nezinkulungwane zokuzamazama komhlaba okuncane kuya komaphakathi okurekhodiwe ezindaweni ezake zaba nokuzamazama komhlaba okuncane noma okungekho ngaphambi kokuqala kwemisebenzi yokuhlukumeza enkulu. Izithako zamakhemikhali ezisetshenziswa emanzini okuhlukumeza zihlanganisa izinto ezaziwa ngokubangela umdlavuza, iziphazamisi zamahormone, nezinsimbi ezisindayo ezingadala izingozi ezinkulu empilweni kubasebenzi kanye nabahlali abaseduze lapho kwenzeka ukuvuza, ukuvuza, noma ukwehluleka kobuqotho bomthombo lapho kuqhutshwa imisebenzi yomthombo.

Ukungcola komoya kubonisa enye inkinga enkulu yemvelo ehambisana nokuhlakazwa kwemishini, njengoba imisebenzi yokuhlakaza ikhipha izinhlanganisela zamakhemikhali eziguquguqukayo, i-nitrogen oxides, i-sulfur dioxide, izinhlayiya ezincane, kanye ne-methane—igesi elinamandla elibangela ukufudumala okuningi kune-carbon dioxide—emoyeni kuyo yonke imigodi yokumba, ukuqedela, nezigaba zokukhiqiza. Umphumela wokuhlanganiswa kwalokhu kukhishwa uba nesandla ekwakhekeni kwe-smog esifundeni, kuqine izinkinga zempilo yokuphefumula njenge-asthma kanye nesifo samaphaphu esingapheli kubantu abasendaweni, futhi kusheshe ukuguquguquka kwesimo sezulu somhlaba ngezindlela ezibuyisela emuva izinzuzo ezithile zesimo sezulu zegesi lemvelo uma liqhathaniswa namalahle. Ukuphazamiseka kwezwekwe ngenxa yokwakhiwa kwezindawo zokumba, imigwaqo yokungena, imishayo, iziteshi zokucindezela, nezinye izingqalasizinda ezisekelayo kuphazamisa izindawo zezilwane zasendle, kuxosha izinhlobo zomdabu, kuguqule izindlela zemvelo zokudonsa amanzi, futhi kuguqule izindawo ezinkulu zezindawo zasemakhaya nezolimo zibe izindawo zezimboni ezinemiphumela emikhulu yezemvelo. Ukungcola komsindo nokukhanya okuvela emisebenzini yokuhlakaza eqhubeka amahora angamashumi amabili nane kungalimaza kakhulu ikhwalithi yokuphila yabahlali abahlala eduze nezindawo zokumba, kuphazamise izindlela zokulala futhi kwandise amazinga okucindezeleka emiphakathini ethintekayo. Ithrekhi yamaloli ehambisana nokulethwa kwamanzi, ukuthuthwa kwezinto zokusebenza, nokususwa kukadoti kubangela umonakalo emigwaqweni, kukhiqize uthuli, kudale izingozi zokuphepha, futhi kubangele ukungcola komsindo ezindaweni zasemakhaya ezingavame ukulungela ukubhekana nenani nobunzima bokuhamba kwezimoto zezimboni. Ifa lemvelo yesikhathi eside lokuhlakazwa kwemishini, ikakhulukazi amathuba ezimbobo ezingavalwanga kahle noma ezishiywe zingasebenzi ukuthi zivuze i-methane nezinye izinto ezingcolisa imvelo emashumini eminyaka noma emakhulwini eminyaka, kuhlala kuyindawo yokucwaninga okusebenzayo kwesayensi okuzobumba izinqumo ezizayo zokulawula kanye nokwamukelwa komphakathi kobuchwepheshe.

Inqubo yokuhlukanisa ngamandla ihlukaniswa ngokuthola izindawo ezifanele zezinto eziphilayo—njenge-shale enothe ngamafutha, i-sandstone eqinile, noma izindawo zokugcina i-methane ezimayini zamalahle—ngokuhlola okwenziwa ngama-seismic, ukuhlaziywa kwe-geochemical, nokubhola okuhlola amandla e-hydrocarbon kanye nezakhiwo zemishini zamadwala. Uma indawo efanele isiqinisekisiwe, kubholwa umgodi uqonde phansi uze ufinyelele ekujuleni okuhlosiwe, bese uvame ukujikiswa uqonde ohlangothini ukuze kukhuliswe ukuxhumana nomgogodla lapho kukhona khona i-hydrocarbon, imigqa ehambayo ngezinye izikhathi ingafinyelela amakhilomitha amabili noma ngaphezulu ukuze kwembulwe amadwala amaningi ngangokunokwenzeka emgodini. Ucingo lwensimbi ne-cement zifakwa ngezigaba ezihlukene ukuze kuhlanganiswe umgodi namanzi angaphansi komhlaba nezinye izindawo ezibucayi, kanti ukuhlolwa okuningiliziwe kwenziwa ukuqinisekisa ikhwalithi yokuvala ngaphambi kokuba kuqale imisebenzi yokuhlukanisa. Isigaba sokuhlukanisa sangempela sihlanganisa ukumpompa uketshezi olukhethekile—oluhlanganisa cishe u-90% wamanzi, u-9.5% wesihlabathi noma i-proppant ye-ceramic, kanye no-0.5% wezithako zamakhemikhali ezikhethwe ngokucophelela—phansi emgodini ngengcindezi ephezulu kakhulu eyanele ukudala nokusakaza izikhala emadwaleni, ngokuvamile ngezigaba eziningi emgqeni ohambayo. I-proppant esetshenziswa emisebenzini yokuhlukanisa iyisici esibalulekile, njengoba ivula izikhala ezidalwe uma ingcindezi yokumpompa ikhutshaziwe, ngaleyo ndlela ivumele uwoyela negesi ukuba zibuyele emgodini ukuze kukhiqizwe isikhathi sonke somgodi. Izinkampani ezikhethekile kule nto ebalulekile, njenge-Hebei Kaiyuan Petroleum Proppant Co., Ltd., njengoba kuchaziwe ku-MAYELANA NATHI leli khasi, sikhiqiza ama-proppants athuthukisiwe e-ceramic nawokugcotshwa ngomhlaba anobukhulu obulawulwa ngokucophelela, isimo, amandla, kanye nokuminyana ukuze kuthuthukiswe ukudluliswa kwe-fracture nokuqina kwe-downhole ezimweni ze-reservoir eziyinselele.

Ngemva kokuqeda ukwelashwa kokuhlukana, umthombo ugobisa ukubuyisa uketshezi olufakelwe, lapho amanzi abuyisiwe—aziwa ngokuthi i-flowback—aqukethe inhlanganisela eyinkimbinkimbi yezingxenye zoketshezi olwangempela lokuhlukana kanye namaminerali ancibilikile, ama-hydrocarbon, nezinto ezithwala imisebe yemvelo ezikhishwe emhlabeni phakathi nenqubo yokuhlukana. Amanani okukhiqiza aqashwa ngokucophelela kuyo yonke impilo yomthombo kusetshenziswa izinzwa ezisemgodini, izilinganiso zokugeleza ezindaweni ezingaphezulu, kanye nokuhlolwa komthombo ngezikhathi ezithile ukuze kulandelwe ukuziphatha kwesitoreji futhi kutholwe noma yikuphi ukwehla kokusebenza okungabonisa isidingo sokungenelela. Ukuphinda uhlukane kungase kwenziwe ngemva kweminyaka embalwa ukuze kubuyiselwe amanani okugeleza anciphile ngokufinyelela ivolumu entsha yomhlaba noma ukuvuselela izikhala ezikhona, inqubo eseyijwayelekile njengoba abasebenzisi befuna ukwandisa inani lezomnotho lezinto zabo zemithombo. Ukuqhubeka kobuchwepheshe bokubhola, okuhlanganisa nezinhlelo zokujikeleza ezilawulwayo namathuluzi okubhola ngesikhathi sangempela, kanye nokuqapha okungokoqobo kwe-microseismic, ukuguquguquka koketshezi, kanye nokulawulwa okuzenzakalelayo kokumpompa, kuyaqhubeka nokuthuthukisa ukusebenza kahle, ukuphepha, nokusebenza kwemvelo kwezinhlelo zokuhlukana kwe-hydraulic emhlabeni wonke. Kulabo abafuna ama-proppant asezingeni eliphezulu kanye nezixazululo ezenziwe ngendlela efanele zezimo ezithile zesitoreji,IMIKHIOMBIIkhasi linikeza isibuyekezo esiphelele sezinketho ezitholakalayo eziklanyelwe ukuthuthukisa ukusebenza kahle komthombo kanye nokwethembeka kokusebenza emisebenzini yokuqhekeka.

Uhlelo lokulawula olubandakanya ukugqobhoza kwe-hydraulic luyahlukahluka kakhulu ezindaweni ezahlukene, kudala isimo esiyinkimbinkimbi futhi sivame ukungahambisani nemithetho, izimvume, kanye nezinqubo zokuphoqelela umthetho, okumele abaqhubi bemboni bahambe ukuze bahlale benza umthetho futhi bavikele ilayisensi yabo yokusebenza emphakathini. E-United States, uhlelo lwe-Underground Injection Control lwe-Safe Drinking Water Act lulawula ukujova kwezinto zokugqobhoza ngaphansi komhlaba, nakuba i-Energy Policy Act of 2005 yase-federal yaziwa ngokukhipha imisebenzi yokugqobhoza kwe-hydraulic kwezinye izinhlinzeko ezibalulekile zalomthetho—isiphetho esaziwa ngokuthi yi-"Halliburton Loophole" esibe yisihloko sengxoxo enkulu yezombangazwe cishe iminyaka engamashumi amabili. Imithetho yezifunda iyahlukahluka kakhulu ezweni lonke, nezinye izifunda ezifana nePennsylvania, Colorado, kanye neCalifornia zisebenzisa izidingo eziqinile zokudalula ukwakheka kwezinto zokugqobhoza, izindinganiso eziqinile zokwakhiwa kwemigodi, kanye nezidingo eziphelele zokuqapha amanzi angaphansi komhlaba, kanti ezinye izifunda zigcina ukugadwa okuvumelekile okubeka ukuncika okukhulu ekuzilawuleni komkhakha. I-European Union yamukele indlela yokucophelela kakhulu ekugqobhozeni kwe-hydraulic, nezinye izifunda ezifana neFrance, iJalimane, kanye neBulgaria zibeka ukuvinjelwa okuqondile noma ukumiswa okwandisiwe kobuchwepheshe ngenxa yezinkinga zemvelo kanye nempilo yomphakathi ezingakaxazululwa ngokwanele. Amazwe asathuthuka anezindawo ezinkulu zamatshe, okubandakanya i-Argentina, i-Algeria, kanye neChina, abhekana nezinselelo ezithile ekusunguleni izinhlelo zokulawula ezisebenzayo, njengoba avame ukuntula ubuchwepheshe, amandla ezikhungo, izinsiza zezezimali, kanye nezinqubo zokuqapha ezizimele ezidingekayo ukuze kugadwe imisebenzi yokugqobhoza ngokuphepha nangokucacile.

Izikhala ezikhona emthethweni wokudalula ezindaweni eziningi zivumela izinkampani ukuthi zivikele izimfihlo zazo zezimboni mayelana nokwakheka okunembile kwamakhemikhali ezithako ezisetshenziswa emanzini okugqobayo, umkhuba okhawulela ukubonakala futhi uvimbele uphenyo oluzimele lwesayensi lwezimpawu ezingaba khona empilweni kanye nemvelo ezihlobene nezinhlanganisela ezithile. Ukuphoqelelwa kwemithetho ekhona akuhambisani ezifundeni nasikhathini, ngokukhawulwa kwezinsiza ezikhungweni ezilawulayo okukhawulela imvamisa, ubuqotho, kanye nokuzimela kwezinsizakalo ezindaweni zokugqobayo, ikakhulukazi ezindaweni ezikude, zasemakhaya, noma ezintengentengeni lapho ukugadwa kudingeka kakhulu. Indawo yokulawula iyaqhubeka nokushintsha ngokushesha njengoba kuvela ubufakazi obusha besayensi, ukuqwashisa komphakathi kuyanda, futhi ababambiqhaza abavela embonini, izinhlangano zemvelo, ezemfundo, kanye nemiphakathi yasendaweni baxoxisana ngokulinganisela okufanele phakathi kokuthuthukiswa komnotho nokuvikelwa kwemvelo ekulawuleni imisebenzi yokugqobayo. Izinhlangano zamazwe ngamazwe ezifana ne-International Energy Agency ne-World Bank ziye zakha izakhiwo kanye neziqondiso ezinhle kakhulu zokuthuthukiswa kwesilinganiso esinokwethenjwa, zinikeza izilinganiso amazwe angazivumelanisa nezimo zawo ezithile zomthetho, zendawo, kanye nezomphakathi. Njengoba ushintsho lwamandla emhlabeni luqhubeka, izindlela zokulawula ukugqobayo cishe zizoba nzima futhi zihambisane, zidinge abasebenzisi ukuthi batshale ezobuchwepheshe obuhlanzekile, ukubika okubonakala kakhulu, kanye nokubandakanyeka komphakathi okunenjongo ukuze kugcinwe amandla abo okuthuthukisa izinsiza zesilinganiso.

Imiphakathi yasendaweni ibhekana nemiphumela ye-hydraulic fracturing ngezindlela ezixubile kakhulu futhi ezivame ukuba nezingxabano ezijulile, lapho izinzuzo zezomnotho zivame ukuhambisana nezindleko zenhlalo, zemvelo, nezempilo yomphakathi ezidala ukwahlukana okubukhali phakathi kwezindawo ezithintekayo. Ezingxenyeni ezifana ne-Bakken Shale yaseNorth Dakota, i-Marcellus Shale yasePennsylvania, kanye ne-Permian Basin yaseTexas, imisebenzi yokufafaza idale izinkulungwane zemisebenzi eqondile ne engagxile, yanciphisa kakhulu amazinga okungasebenzi, futhi yenza imali enkulu kusukela ezinkokhelweni zokuqashisa, izinkokhelo, kanye nezimali zethonya kubanikazi bomhlaba abalawula amalungelo ezimbiwa ngaphansi kwempahla yabo. Noma kunjalo, lezi zinzuzo zezomnotho zivame ukungabi ngokulinganayo kulo lonke imiphakathi, lapho abanye abahlali namabhizinisi bethola kakhulu kanti abanye bathwala imithwalo yokwanda kwethrafikhi, ukungcola komsindo, ukungena kokukhanya, ukwehla kwekhwalithi yomoya, kanye nokwehla kwenani lempahla ngaphandle kokuthola isinxephezelo esilinganayo noma ukunciphisa. Umphumela we-"boomtown" ovame ukubonwa ezindaweni ezinentuthuko esheshayo ye-shale ungadala ingcindezi ezisekelweni zendawo okubalwa kuzo imigwaqo, amabhuloho, izinhlelo zamanzi, nezitshalo zokwelapha imfucuza, kuyilapho futhi kugcwalisa izimakethe zezindlu, izinhlelo zezokwelapha, izikole, kanye nezinsizakalo eziphuthumayo ezingazange zakhelwe ukukhula okungazelelwe kwabantu. Ukungqubuzana kwezenhlalo kuvame ukuvela phakathi kwabahlali abahlala isikhathi eside abazisa isimo somphakathi kanye nekhwalithi yemvelo nabasanda kufika noma abanikazi bomhlaba abazuza ngokwezimali emisebenzini yokufafaza, kudala ukungezwani okungahlala iminyaka ngisho nangemva kokuba umsebenzi wokubhola ugudlile.

Imiphakathi yendabuko ezindaweni zobuhlanga ibhekana nezinselelo eziyinkimbinkimbi nezibucayi mayelana nokugalela amanzi ngamandla, njengoba isimo sayo esiyisizwe sihlanganiswa nokuphathwa kwamalungelo ezimbiwa nguhulumeni, ukuvikelwa kwelifa lezamasiko, nezintshisekelo zezinkampani zokukhipha izinto ngezindlela ezivame ukubeka phansi amazwi ezizwe ezinqubeni zokwenza izinqumo. Izinqubo zokubandakanya umphakathi ezisebenza ngokugalela amanzi ngamandla zivame ukugxekwa njengezinganele izakhamuzi ezithintekayo, ezibika ukuthi azitholi ulwazi olwanele mayelana nezingozi ezingenzeka, zineminyango emincane yokubamba iqhaza ngokubalulekile ezinqubeni zokunikeza izimvume nokuhlela, futhi zizwa ukuntuleka okukhulu kokwethemba kokubili kubasebenzi bemboni kanye nemizimba elawulayo. Imiphumela yezempilo yesikhathi eside yokuhlala eduze nemisebenzi yokugalela amanzi ngamandla ihlala ingacwaningwanga ngokwanele naphezu kokukhathazeka okukhulayo, nakuba ucwaningo lwezifo luye lwabonisa izingozi eziphakeme zezinye izinhlobo zomdlavuza wezingane, imiphumela emibi yokuzalwa, ukuphazamiseka kwe-endocrine, nezifo zokuphefumula kubantu abahlala eduze nentuthuko enkulu yokugalela amanzi ngamandla ezindaweni zamafutha isikhathi eside. Kumiphakathi efuna ukulinganisa amathuba ezomnotho osheshayo anikezwa ukugalela amanzi ngamandla nokuvikelwa kwemvelo yayo, impilo yomphakathi, nokubambisana komphakathi, ukwenza izinqumo ezinolwazi okunikezwe ukudalulwa kwedatha esobala, ukuqapha okuzimele, nezinqubo zokuxoxisana ezibandakanya bonke kubaluleke kakhulu. Ukwakha ukwethemba phakathi kwemboni, abalawuli, nemiphakathi kudinga utshalomali oluqhubekayo ezingxoxweni zangempela, izindlela zokubhekana nezikhalazo ezibuthakathaka, kanye nezinqubo zokwabelana ngezibonelelo eziqinisekisa ukuthi izakhamuzi zasekhaya zithola izinzuzo ezilungile nezilinganayo ngokusingatha imisebenzi yokugalela amanzi ngamandla ezindaweni zazo.

Ikakhwezi le-hydraulic fracturing lincike ekuzimikeleni nasekwazini kwemboni ukwamukela izindlela ezizinzile ezinciphisa kakhulu imithelela emvelweni ngenkathi kugcinwa nenzuzo, uguquko oludinga ubuchule obuqhubekayo, utshalomali lwesimiso, kanye nokuziphendulela okuyiqiniso kubo bonke abathintekayo. Ukuphathwa kwamanzi kuyindawo ethembisa kakhulu ukuthuthukiswa okusheshayo, nobuchwepheshe obufana nezinhlelo zokugaywa kabusha kwamanzi avaliwe, ukusetshenziswa kwamanzi anosawoti asuka emithonjeni engaphethweyo, kanye nezinqubo ezithuthukisiwe zokwelapha ezisekelwe kumagobolondo ezikwazi ukunciphisa ukusetshenziswa kwamanzi ahlanzekile ngamaphesenti angamashumi ayisihlanu kuya kwamashumi ayisishiyagalolunye ngenkathi kuncishiswa ngesikhathi esifanayo imiqulu yamanzi angcolile edinga ukulahlwa. Ukukhethwa kwe-proppant kudlala indima ebalulekile ekuzinzeni okuphelele, njengoba ukusebenzisa i-proppants esezingeni eliphezulu, eqinile njengaleyo eyenziwe yi-Hebei Kaiyuan Oil Proppant Co., Ltd., ekhonjiswe ku-Ucwaningo Nokuthuthukiswaikhasi, lingathuthukisa ukudala kwezimbobo nokuhlala isikhathi eside kwemithombo, ngaleyo ndlela lenze ukuthi izinsiza zitholakale kakhulu kusuka emthonjeni ngamunye futhi kuncishiswe inani eliphelele lemithombo edingekayo ukuze kukhishwe ivolumu ethile yama-hydrocarbon. Izinhlelo zokuthola nokulungisa ukuvuza kwe-methane ezisebenzisa amakhamera ezithombe zegesi, ukuqapha izindiza ezingaphezulu, nezinzwa zokuqapha eziqhubekayo, zihlanganiswe nezindlela zokuqedela imithombo ezikhishwe kancane njengokuqedela okuncishisiwe nokugcwalisa okuluhlaza, kunganciphisa kakhulu ukukhishwa kwegesi elibangela ukufudumala komhlaba kusuka emisebenzini yokuhlukumeza futhi kuxazulule enye yezinkinga ezinkulu zesimo sezulu embonini. Izinhlelo zamakhemikhali aluhlaza ezihlose ukuthuthukisa izithako zokuhlukumeza ezinganabuthi, ezibola kalula, futhi ezivezwe ngokuphelele zinganciphisa kakhulu ubungozi kumachibi amanzi angaphansi komhlaba kanye ne-ecosystem engaphezulu ngaphandle kokudela ukusebenza kwezobuchwepheshe okudingekayo ukuze kuphumelele imisebenzi yokuhlukumeza ezindaweni eziyinselele.

Ngaphandle kokuqhubeka kwezinto zokusebenza nobuchwepheshe, izindlela zokuzinza ngempela kufanele zihlanganise ukuqapha okujulile kwezinto zemvelo ngaphambi kokuba kuqale ukuguguleka, ukuqapha okuqhubekayo kuyo yonke iminyaka yomgodi, ukubika obala kudatha yokuqapha, kanye nezinqubo zokubandakanya umphakathi ezihlinzeka ngamandla abantu bendawo ukuba bathinte izinqumo ezithinta izimpilo zabo kanye nendlela yokuphila. Izinkampani zamandla ezisebenzisa imisebenzi yokuguguleka kufanele zitshale ezinhlelweni eziphelele zokuvikela izinto eziphilayo ezinciphisa ukuhlukana kwezindawo zokuhlala futhi zisekele ukubuyiselwa kwezinto zemvelo, zibeke imigomo eqinile yokunciphisa ukukhishwa okuhambisana nesayensi yesimo sezulu kanye nemigomo yesivumelwano saseParis, futhi zibambe iqhaza ezinhlelweni zokuqinisekisa ezizimele ezinikeza ukuqinisekiswa okuzimele kwezindlela eziphethe umthwalo ukuze kwakhiwe ukwethembana komphakathi. Abenzi bomthetho banendima ebalulekile futhi engoqobo okufanele bayidlale ekudaleni izikhuthazo zokulawula ubuchwepheshe, ukuvala izikhala ezikhona ezivumela ukulimala kwemvelo, nokuqinisekisa ukuthi ukuthobela amazinga aphezulu emvelo nawomphakathi kuba yinzuzo yokuncintisana kunokuba kube umthwalo owengeziwe wezinkampani eziphethe umthwalo. Ngokwamukela isiko lokuqhubeka nokuqhubeka, ukutshala kwezinto zokucwaninga nokuthuthukisa, nokuqonda ukuthi ilayisensi yomphakathi yesikhathi eside yokusebenza incike ekuqhubekeni kwezinto zemvelo kanye nenzuzo yomphakathi, imboni yokuguguleka kwe-hydraulic ingakwazi ukubhekana kangcono nezingxabano eziyinkimbinkimbi ezikhona ekukhiqizweni kwamandla esimanje. Ezinkampanini ezifuna izixazululo eziqondene nazo ezihlangabezana nemigomo yokusebenza kanye nemigomo yokuzinza,Yenziwe Ngokwezifiso leli khasi linikeza ukufinyelela ezinkethweni ezikhethekile ze-proppant nezinsizakalo eziklanyelwe ukubhekana nezinselelo ezithile ze-reservoir nezidingo zokusebenza ekuhlukanisweni kwamafutha ngokucindezela amanzi.

Ukuqhekeka kwe-hydraulic ubuchwepheshe obunamandla futhi obuguqula obuye bashintsha izimakethe zamandla emhlabeni wonke eminyakeni engamashumi amabili edlule, buletha izinzuzo ezinkulu zezomnotho ezihlanganisa izindleko zamandla eziphansi, ukwanda kokuphepha kwamandla, ukudalwa kwemisebenzi, kanye nentuthuko yezimboni emazweni akwazi ukuthuthukisa izinsiza zawo ze-shale ngendlela efanele. Inqubo yokuqhekeka kwe-oyela ivumela ukufinyelela ezinsizeni zamalahle-mpuphu ezingaba zavaleka ngenye indlela emingceleni enokungena okuncane, kanti izinto zobuchwepheshe ezisetshenziswa ekusebenzeni kokuqhekeka—kuhlanganise nama-proppants athuthukisiwe, izinhlelo zokuqapha ezihlakaniphile, kanye nokuthuthukiswa kwamakhemistri woketshezi—kuyaqhubeka nokuthuthuka ngokushesha ekufuneni ukusebenza kahle okukhulu kanye nokunciphisa umthelela emvelweni. Kodwa-ke, izingozi zemvelo ezihambisana nokuqhekeka kwe-hydraulic zibalulekile futhi zinobubanzi obuningi, okuhlanganisa ukungcola kwamanzi, ukungcola komoya, ukuphazamiseka kwendawo, ukuzamazama komhlaba okubangelwa, kanye nemithelela yesimo sezulu edinga ukuphathwa ngokucophelela, ukugadwa okucacile, kanye nokuthuthukiswa okuqhubekayo ukuze kuhambisane nesilinganiso somsebenzi wezimboni. Isimo somthetho sihlala siyingxenye, singahambisani, futhi sivame ukunganele ukubhekana nalezi zinselelo ngendlela ephelele, sishiya imiphakathi, izinto eziphilayo, kanye nezizukulwane ezizayo zivezwe ezingozini ezingakahlanganiswa ngokugcwele noma ezingakaxazululwa ngokwanele yizinhlaka ezikhona.

Ngokuya phambili, ukhiye wokuhlukumeza okubhekene nezibopho ulele ekuzibophezeleni okuqinile ekubeni obala, ubuchwepheshe obusha, imithetho eqinile, kanye nokubambisana kwangempela nababambiqhaza okubeka phambili kokubili ukukhiqizwa kwamandla kanye nokunakekelwa kwemvelo kwesikhathi eside. Ezinkampanini, abatshalizimali, kanye nochwepheshe ababandakanyeka embonini yokuhlukumeza, ukuhlala unolwazi mayelana nezinqubo ezingcono kakhulu, imithetho evelayo, ukuthuthukiswa kobuchwepheshe, kanye nokulindela komphakathi kubalulekile ekwenzeni izinqumo eziqinile zokusebenza neze-strategic ezilinganisa izinto ezincintisanayo ngempumelelo. Ngokusekela izinkampani ezitshala ezindleleni ezisimeme, ukukhiqizwa kwekhwalithi, kanye nobuchwepheshe obuqhubekayo—njenge-Hebei Kaiyuan Petroleum Proppant Co., Ltd., egcizelela ukulawulwa kwekhwalithi okuqinile kanye nentuthuko yomkhiqizo esekelwe ocwaningweni ekukhiqizeni kwayo i-proppant yokuhlukumeza—imboni ingasebenza ukuze kufinyelelwe esikhathini lapho izidingo zamandla zifezekiswa ngaphandle kokudicilela phansi impilo yezindawo eziphilayo, ukuphepha komphakathi, noma ukuzinza kwesimo sezulu somhlaba wonke. Impikiswano mayelana nokuhlukumeza ayikapheli, kodwa ngokuxoxisana okunolwazi, ukwenza izinqumo esekelwe ebufakazini, kanye nezenzo ezinomthwalo wemfanelo ezivela kuwo wonke amaqembu, singazama ukufeza ibhalansi esebenza izidingo zamanje kanye nempilo yezizukulwane ezizayo emhlabeni odinga kakhulu amandla.