Does fracking produce oil?

Learn how fracking, the process of high-pressure oil and gas extraction, has tripled domestic oil production and reduced oil importation since the 1990s. read more

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is described in the simplest manner as a method to increase the output of a well, regardless of it is an oil or natural gas well. It is necessary, especially with gas wells, as natural gas is most commonly found in shale formations. read more

Fracking lowers the cost of oil to the extent that it allows real supply to expand. There are limits on the extent to which fracking can be used to increase supply. Oil is scarce, and hydraulic fracturing is more expensive and complicated than traditional oil extraction. read more

Back in 2000, there were just 23,000 fracking wells pumping about 102,000 barrels of oil a day. Now there are 300,000 fracking wells, churning out 4.3 million barrels per day. Fracking"has allowed the United States to increase its oil production faster than at any time in its history," the EIA said in recent report. read more

Hydraulic fracturing also is being used to stimulate new production from older wells. Because of shale and fracking, the International Energy Agency projects that the U.S. could become the world’s leading oil producer by 2015. read more