Budny 10:00
R16
THE ETHICS IN FRACKING
Daniel Grzybek (djg63@pitt.edu)
THE SCENARIO
As a petroleum engineer, I have been hired as a consultant
by Range Resources, the second largest fracking company in
Pennsylvania, to advise on both where in the Western
Pennsylvanian Marcellus Shale to drill for natural gas, as well
as how to most efficiently go about the process [1]. After
much thought and deliberation, I have advised Range
Resources to drill in Bradford, the most abundant source of
crude oil in Pennsylvania [1].
FIGURE 1 [2]
Image depicting the process of hydrofracking
after the fracking process is completed. This water is
contained in steel tanks until it can be stored long-term by
deep injection in oil and gas waste wells [3].
The Ethical Dilemma
However, in order to generate more revenue, Range
Resources has requested that I write a plan that does not
include the last step to collect the excess wastewater. The
chemicals included in the uncollected wastewater will seep
into neighboring lakes and streams, polluting the
environment, and killing living organisms such as plants, fish,
and birds. However, if I generate more revenue for Range
Resources, I will receive a glowing recommendation that will
possibly land me lucrative job offers in the future. This will
set me ahead in a highly competitive field, and will improve
my personal quality of life.
ETHICAL ANALYSIS
Shown above is the depiction of the hydrofracking procedure
I have advised Range Resources to take in removing the
natural gas from the reserves. The first step of hydrofracking
is drilling vertically to the desired depth in the earth, turning
ninety degrees and continuing horizontally for several
thousand feet into the shale believed to contain the trapped
natural gas, as is shown in the above diagram [3]. This is
beneficiary because the drilling occurs so far below the
earth’s surface that there are minimal negative effects on the
environment. In the second step, a mix of water, sand, and
various chemicals is pumped into the well at high pressure in
order to create fissures, or fractures, in the shale through
which the gas can escape [3]. The mixture creates fractures
by seeping into already formed cracks far below the earth’s
surface and widening them using chemicals such as
Hydrocholic Acid, Calcium Chloride, and Hydrotreated Light
Petroleum Distillate. Next, the natural gas escapes through
the fissures and is drawn back up the well to the surface, using
the same path that was drilled in the first step, where it is
processed, refined, and shipped [3]. Wastewater (also called
"flowback water" or "produced water") returns to the surface
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering 1
2013-10-29
In order to effectively make my decision, I need to
strongly consider the ethical dilemmas with which I am faced.
While making my decision, I need to keep in mind the ethical
concerns with which I am faced. In order to do this, I will
consult the Code of Ethics for the National Society of
Professional Engineers (NSPE), the Code of Ethics for the
American Institute of Chemical Engineers, as well as several
online sources which cover the ethical concerns associated
with hydrofracking. These foundations of ethics will allow
me to make a more informed decision on what is the right
course of action.
National Society of Professional Engineers
The Code of Ethics for the NSPE is the guideline which
all engineers are mandated to follow, and will thus be
extremely beneficial in my decision making process [4]. The
NSPE Code of Ethics consists of six fundamental canons. In
order to do my duty as an engineer, I must consider every
canon when making my decision. The second canon, which
states, “Perform services only in areas of their competence,”
the third canon which states, “Issue public statements only in
an objective and truthful manner,” as well as the fourth canon
which states, “Engineers shall act for each employer or client
as faithful agents or trustees” do not apply to my decision
making process, as I am neither making a decision which
involves me working out of my area of expertise, nor issuing
any statements to the public, nor debating over disclosing
classified information or services with any company other
than Range Resources [4]. However, the other four canons
Daniel Grzybek
will be crucial in the formation of my decision. The first
canon states that engineers must, “Hold paramount the safety,
health, and welfare of the public” [4]. If the wastewater left
over from the hydrofracking process is not contained, there
may be many detrimental consequences on the environment,
and in turn, the people who inhabit it [5]. For instance, if not
contained, the toxic chemicals from the wastewater may
slowly seep into neighboring lakes and streams, poisoning the
water supply. These are some of the same water bodies that
water we use on a daily basis is taken from. While drinking
water is always purified, it is not a perfect process. Some
harmful carcinogens may still be left over, causing damaging
effects on humans such as cancerous diseases [5]. Canon one
also goes on to say that engineers must only approve
engineering documents are confirm with quality standards.
Therefore, in order to protect the public and abide by canon
number one, I must approve the plan in which all wastewater
is contained. Canon five states that, “Engineers shall avoid
deceptive acts” ‘[4]. When undergoing the hydrofracking
process, it is assumed that after the drilling is complete, the
company on site is responsible of containing excess
wastewater in order to preserve the environment [5]. By
failing to collect the leftover wastewater, I would be
deceiving the public, and failing to follow canon five. Finally,
canon six states that engineers must, “Conduct themselves
honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to
enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the
profession” [4]. Through my interpretation of the previous
canons, it is clear that in order to act honorably and ethically,
I should refuse the request of Range Resources and collect all
excess wastewater.
Ethics behind Hydrofracking
While it is no doubt important to gain codes of ethics from
broader view points, perhaps what is most important is
considering ethical concerns specifically related to the
process of hydrofracking. There are already numerous
concerns about the ethical ramifications from hydrofracking.
Many worried citizens such as Finger Lakes resident Steve
Coffman are concerned about factors such the greenhouse gas
emissions of the natural gas obtained through the
hydrofracking process [7]. However, natural gas is actually
relatively environmentally friendly compared to other types
of fuels. In fact, natural gas releases about eighty percent
fewer carbon dioxide emissions than coal [8]. Natural gas
emissions also do not contain the sulfur dioxide or mercury
levels found in coal [8]. Therefore, hydrofracking is actually
a much safer process compared to other common processes
such as coal refining. Coffman is not only concerned about
the greenhouse emissions. He is also worried that the
hydrofracking process will pollute the nearby lakes that his
region is known for [7]. If I would comply with the requests
of Range Resources, these lakes would be polluted, and the
Finger Lakes region would lose a beautiful naturally made
element that cannot be replaced [5]. Which leads to the
question, is it ethical to sacrifice the quality of the
environment in order to make money? I side with Mr.
Coffman that it is not.
Ethics and the Future of Hydrofracking
As previously stated, the public opinion of hydrofracking
is already extremely low. In a recent pool by City and State,
it was discovered that only 32% of people support
hydrofracking [9]. This is largely in part to the fact that many
drilling companies take shortcuts in the hydrofracking
process, polluting the environment, and leaving the land they
drilled on in shambles [9]. Therefore, it would be ethically
irresponsible to act in a way that would decrease the public’s
opinion of hydrofracking even further. By continuing to act
like other corrupt companies and fail to collect excess
wastewater, this is exactly what I would be doing.
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Because petroleum engineering is a subset of chemical
engineering, the code of ethics for chemical engineers is
paramount for petroleum engineers as well. There are three
primary canons contained within the code of ethics [6]. All
three of these canons can help me to make a more ethically
informed choice. The first canon states that chemical
engineers must, “Be honest and impartial and serve with
fidelity their employers, their clients, and the public” [6]. In
order to be honest and impartial and assist my employer and
the public, I must ignore my own personal gains. Therefore,
the first canon prohibits me from using any extra monetary
gains I would make from ignoring the wastewater in my
judgment. The second canon states chemical engineers must,
“Strive to increase the competence and prestige of the
engineering profession” [6]. In order to improve the
engineering profession and make others think more highly of
it, I must act in an exemplary manor which is beneficial to the
public. In order to effectively do this, I must not take
shortcuts and must perform my duties as effectively and
safely as possible. Consequently, canon three again points to
containing the wastewater as the ethical course of action.
A Sudden Realization
One day, when I was at a crossroads over what I should
do, I decided to take a run through Schenley Park as I often
do. Whenever I am running through the woods alone, just me,
nature, and music, I reach a sense of ease that I can’t match in
any other way. At some point on my run, while listening to
Macklemore and looking around at the trees and wildlife, no
longer worrying about what decision I would make I
remembered something that he (Macklemore) had once said.
“When I put my spiritual life first, the rest of my life is easy.
When I put my career first, that’s when I have problems” [11].
I then realized that the entire time the answer to my question
had been speaking to me, I just hadn’t taken the time to listen.
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Daniel Grzybek
[11] Macklemore
MY DECISION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Through my dissecting of the National Society of
Professional Engineers Code of Ethics, the American Institute
of Chemical Engineers code of ethics, as well as a simple run
in the park to clear my mind I am now able to ethically make
a much more informed decision on whether or not to collect
the excess wastewater as a result of the hydrofracking
process. I have decided, through overwhelming ethical
reinforcement, that I will not approve a plan for Range
Resources that does not include a step to collect the additional
wastewater from hydrofracking. While I would gain more
personally by taking the requested shortcuts, as an engineer, I
cannot simply ignore the ethical ramifications of my actions.
I would be responsible for the destruction of an entire
ecosystem. I would have killed hundreds of living organisms,
and perhaps even contributed to some people’s deaths. In the
end, that is nowhere near worth some extra money in my
pocket.
I would like to thank several people for their assistance in
the composition of this paper. First and foremost, I would like
to thank my writing instructor, Ms. Janine Carlock for fielding
any questions I had for her, as well as for meeting with me
twice and for helping me with the construction of my paper. I
would also like to thank my roommate, Larry Kunkel, as well
as my good friend, Anthony Fischetti, for keeping me on task
while writing this paper.
REFERENCES
[1] C. Amico. (2011). “Shale Play: Natural Gas Drilling in
Pennsylvania.”
NPR.
(Online
Article).
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/drilling/
[2] M. Norton. (2012). “Hydrofracking Process.” (Image).
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad
/HydroFrac2.svg/737px-HydroFrac2.svg.png
[3] (2013). “Fracking: The Process.” Clean Water Action.
(Online
Article).
http://www.cleanwateraction.org/page/fracking-process
[4] (2013). “NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers.” NSPE.
(Code
of
Ethics).
http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html
[5] E. Hancox. (2012). “Hydrofracking Fact and Fiction:
What You Need to Know About the Controversial Practice.”
PolicyMic.
(Online
article).
http://www.policymic.com/articles/10408/hydrofrackingfact-and-fiction-what-you-need-to-know-about-thecontroversial-practice
[6] (2013). “Code of Ethics.” The Global Home of Chemical
Engineers.
(Code
of
Ethics).
http://www.aiche.org/about/code-ethics
[7] S. Coffman. “The Real Cost of Hydrofracking.” Catskill
Citizens.
(Online
Ethics
Article).
http://catskillcitizens.org/learnmore/REALCOST.PDF
[8] G. Comins. (2011, May 5). “Natural Gas and
Hydrofracking Research.” And So it Goes. (Online Blog).
http://blog.garycomins.com/?p=2204
[9] L. Nahmias. (2012, April 9). “Libous Challenger: Ethics
Allegations and Hydrofracking Convinced Me to Run.” City
and
State.
(Online
Ethics
Article).
http://www.cityandstateny.com/libous-challenger-ethicsallegations-hydrofracking-convinced-run/
[10] Schenley Park
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