Budny 10:00am
L10
AN ETHICAL LOOK AT CARBON FRACKING
Matt Montedoro (mjm291@pitt.edu)
ETHICS
STEADY METHODS
An ethical dilemma is a situation in which one struggles
with determining the correct path to take based off of moral
ideals. In our everyday life, we constantly face ethical
dilemmas through work, education, social lives, and
personal decisions. These conflicts challenge our moral
imperatives and values. In the profession of engineering,
an ethical conflict challenges our education, reputation,
and personal qualities. The ability to handle these scenarios
is what defines us as engineers. Engineers must hold
themselves to higher ethical values due to our ability to
affect the public with every decision made. To further help
me decision, I referenced the National Society of
Professional Engineers and the Society for Mining,
Metallurgy, and Exploration ethics codes. They had
distinct similarities which signifies that ethics maintain a
high importance throughout all engineering disciplines.
The National Society of Professional Engineers code of
ethics listed professional obligations to serve the public
interest and to not have conflicting interests while working
on projects or for clients [2]. These stood out to me because
they described the way engineers should hold themselves
professionally. Serving public interest, in my case, would
be to develop carbon dioxide as a fracking liquid to
eliminate the chance of water contamination. However that
goes against the methods of big business. My conflicting
interests also stood out due to my desire to help the mining
communities, while also pleasing my management by
obtaining the highest amount of gas for my company. The
Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration code of
ethics had a specific canon directed towards not
jeopardizing public welfare, health, or safety [3]. This
forced me to think about the consequences of mining in
certain communities that could be detrimental to the health
and welfare of the public. Codes of ethics are standards by
which professional engineers and members must follow in
order to maintain a positive image for the profession. It is
vital to follow these values and ideals to be ethically
correct.
As the world moves forward and grows, natural gas
companies and their drilling of Marcellus shale will
provide the United States and possibly global societies,
with natural fossil fuels. Therefore, the boom of mining
must continue to grow as well to compensate for the growth
of dependence. Effective mining techniques optimize the
retrieval of gas from deep below the bedrock. As a mining
engineer, it is my job to apply new technologies and
theories to the practicing of drilling and mining natural
resources. While working for Range Resources, as the head
engineer on a team that is extracting Marcellus shale gas in
Western Pennsylvania, I am faced with an ethical dilemma
on how to focus our work. Should we as a team and
company continue to mine as much Marcellus shale gas as
possible, or should we turn our attention to the need of
developing a more environmentally friendly method of
drilling? I even ask myself is it ethical to drill Marcellus
shale bores with the possibility to contaminate water
supplies?
The present method of mining Marcellus shale
reservoirs is effective, yet detrimental to surrounding areas.
Millions of gallons of water, mixed with sand and chemical
additives, are forced down a drilled shaft lined with steel
casing. The high pressurized water forces crack in the steel
casing, which in return, allows the buried natural gas to
escape the bore and travel back up through the shaft. Along
with the gas, the water also follows back out of the shaft
[1]. The method is a generally safe process, but instances
of water and chemical contamination have occurred. Due
to this, companies and private contractors are researching
and developing ways to substitute carbon dioxide for water
as the main fracking liquid, which would eliminate
chemical additives, the wasteful use of water, and would
utilize an abundant gas in a productive process [1].
Fracking with carbon dioxide is the future of drilling for
fossil fuels.
Therefore, I ask myself how I should lead my team. I
could conform to the industry, and focus on optimizing
profit while disregarding the environmental impact of our
actions. The majority of management believes this business
is about making money. Another option is to delay future
drillings to research and investigate using carbon dioxide
in our own process. This would cost the company millions
of dollars and bring production to a standstill, but if
successful, Range Resources could be the wealthiest and
most revered mining company in the world.
STUDIES
However, codes of ethics are not enough to make a
decision regarding to the already profitable technique or a
risky, new innovation that has potential to change the
industry. I turned my attention to case studies for more
information on how other ethical situations were handled.
One such case study I found was tailored towards integrity.
In the study, a fictional structural engineer had erected a
famous skyscraper, but a college student proved his design
1
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering
2014-10-28
Matt Montedoro
to be flawed. The engineer faced the decision to fix his
design or keep a secret to save his reputation [4]. I thought,
was maintaining a good reputation, or fixing the possibly
devastating issue more important? I could continue to
follow the lead set by my management, or I could do the
right thing to decrease the environmental impacts. The
opportunity at Range Resources offers me a chance to
thrive, so I continued to research the possibilities of an
alternative method of extracting gas from below the
surface.
Another case study I discovered was one performed by
Texas Tech University, Case 1032. A fictional city
engineer had knowledge of city plans of industrial growth
that would greatly impact the lives of the poorer families
in the town. He was faced with telling them this
information prior to it being released so they could vote
against it or to let them struggle with the growth [5]. Like
the fictional engineer, I could secretly talk to local families
and community members about the negative effects of
drilling Marcellus shale, so that prior to drilling they could
protest drilling before it got started. Despite this, I would
also be able to follow the instructions of management and
keep production on schedule.
Still unsure of how to handle the situation, I turned to a
final case study, discussing wastewater containers. An
inspector noticed several leaking wastewater containers.
After talking to the head of sanitation, it was decided they
would move them back to the home site even though that
is against health protocol. Years later, they came under
questioning for handling these containers incorrectly
despite fixing the problem [6]. Two workers solved the
problem so no one would get hurt, but they did not follow
correct protocol and were scrutinized for their actions years
later. If we continue to use water and chemicals as a
fracking fluid, we as mining engineers, will be scrutinized
years later for the problems we caused to the environment.
Carbon dioxide fracking may not be the method used right
now, but it will save our reputations along with the
environment years from now.
contaminated our water supplies, but in some cases cattle
and food sources. This could be a crippling effect to areas
that heavily rely on cattle and farming for welfare. It is
unethical to continue to put this water and chemical
mixture into our wells with the chance of contaminating
surrounding water, food, and land. Drilling companies
violated a law stating a direct threat to the environment and
community 2,392 times in Pennsylvania alone from 2008
to 2011 [8]. That is careless work. The production of fossil
fuels is a thriving business that gives us a domestic source
of energy. We should not violate a towns’ growth and
safety if they allow companies to drill by hindering their
future with chemical contaminants. In a study examining
all of the chemicals used in natural gas production, it was
found that 75% of them affect sensory organs and
respiratory systems. Up to 50% have impacts on the
kidneys, nervous system, immune system, and
cardiovascular system. 37% affect hormones, and 25% are
linked to cancer and mutations [8]. Those numbers are
scary to think that we as a mining industry, are putting
these horrible chemicals into the environment carelessly.
At almost every stage of developing and using an oil or
natural gas rig, petrochemicals are discharged into the
environment [8]. I believe that in all cases, extracting
natural gas and oil from the Earth’s core will always put
the environment at risk, but it is our job and duty as
engineers to decrease that risk to the lowest negative
impact possible.
SOUL SEEKING
I continued to weigh my options on how to approach
the situation. My bosses pushed me to head the extraction
process, but I was not sure I could do so knowing that
people in certain communities had been deceived into
allowing companies such as Range Resources to drill on
their land without hearing the negative effects it that could
have. I struggled with this inner conflict for quite some
time. I had a long conversation with my father, as he is the
foundation of my moral values. We did not talk about
specific engineering problems, but I listened to his words
on right and wrong and trusting yourself [9]. That simple
conversation gave me confidence to make a large scale
decision. I also thought back to a moment where I
conversed with Dr. Dan Budny, about the struggles and
adversity we, as engineers, all face within the profession.
He challenged me to work harder than ever before and to
stand up to adversity each time it arose [10]. Thinking back
to that conversation cemented my faith in my education
from the University of Pittsburgh. I trusted that my
dedicated time growing as an engineer now had meaning.
RESEARCH
Continuing my search to resolve my self-conflict, I did
research on how bad mining processes impact areas of
drilling. Each mine uses 4 to 6 million gallons of water, and
produces flow back water for 20 to 30 years [7]. The flow
back water and water lost underground, are the main
contaminants that spoil well water supplies. Drilling in
areas depending on well water greatly increases the chance
to ruin fresh water and put public safety at risk. Choosing
those areas seems morally wrong to me. I found that in
western Pennsylvania, an overflowing container of
wastewater sent fracking fluid filled with chemicals into a
pasture where pregnant cows were grazing. Half of the
calves were birthed dead [8]. The fracking fluid not only
2
Matt Montedoro
really focus on the codes of ethics to develop your own
personal beliefs. Engineering is a special profession where
people need to hold themselves to higher standards to
perform tasks to the best of their ability. Overall, trust your
education and background. Ethical dilemmas can be solved
by sticking to what you believe is right. We, as engineers,
are the future. We will all face multiple ethical questions
over the years, but how we handle them will defines us.
THE DECISION
After weighing all of the research, codes of ethics, case
studies, and my own personal beliefs, I arrived upon the
idea that it would be unethical for me to continue to frack
Marcellus shale wells due to the contaminants that were
introduced to the environment through the fracking fluid. I
believe that we need to advance as an industry to eliminate
the large amounts of water mixed with horrendous
chemicals that permeate into water supplies, air, and even
land. I decided that I would develop a plan to present to the
management explaining that I believed it was morally
wrong, as a human being, to continue to use such harmful
chemicals in our fracking fluid due to the occurrences of
water contamination and mistreatment. I would also
present a project where I could lead a team to investigate
using alternatives to water such as carbon dioxide as the
fracking fluid. Discovering how to use an alternative
source to frack with would also put Range Resources far
ahead of its competitors. The investment towards an
abundant and natural resource replacement would reward
the company with an immense profit. Also, switching to
carbon dioxide decreases the chances of scrutiny and law
suits years from now due to lingering health and
environmental effects. I will aim my proposal for
management to deeply explain the problems with using
water and chemicals leading to contamination. I will
provide supporting details and alternatives. In the end, it
will be up to my superiors as to how the company moves
forward. They can decide to keep using the obscene
amounts of water and disregard my proposal and beliefs,
but I will stand up for what I believe in, and make the tough
ethical decision, that places the public welfare, health, and
safety paramount.
REFERENCES
[1] M. Fellet. (June 2014). “Science of Hyrdaulic
Fracturing Contains Materials Questions.” Cambridge
Journals Online. (Online article).
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?from
Page=online&aid=9280807&fileId=S0883769414001146
[2] “NSPE code of ethics for engineers.” National Society
for Professional Engineers. (Website).
http://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics
[3] “SME Member Qualifications and Ethics.” Society for
Mining, Metallurgy, & Exploration. (Website).
http://www.smenet.org/page/index.cfm?id=1016
[4] “The Cost of Integrity.” WebGuru; Guide for
Undergraduate Research. (Online case study).
http://www.webguru.neu.edu/professionalism/casestudies/cost-integrity
[5] “Case 1032 – Plains, Prairies, and Porches.” Texas
Tech University: Ethics Cases. (Online case study).
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/murdoughcenter/products/cases.
php
[6] J. Jaksa. “Leaking Waste Containers.” Online Ethics
Center for Engineering and Science. (Online case study).
http://www.onlineethics.org/Resources/Cases/Containers.
aspx
[7] Shale Gas International. (April 2014). “Using CO2
Instead of Water May Make Fracking More
Environmentally Friendly.” Japan News. (Website).
http://www.shalegas.international/2014/04/15/using-co2instead-of-water-may-make-fracking-moreenvironmentally-friendly/
[8] E. Royte. “What the Frack is in Our Food?” The
Nation. (Online article).
http://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?si
d=46809720-035d-4995-b37103d88951eed8%40sessionmgr4001&vid=10&hid=4209
[9] M. Montedoro. (2014, Oct. 25). Conversation.
[10] D. Budny. (2014, Oct. 12). Conversation.
LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE
Carbon dioxide has been used on a smaller scale in
fracking. The switch from water to carbon dioxide would
be an industry altering one. Carbon dioxide out performs
water. It can also be reused where as it does not collect and
carry contaminants like the water [1]. Many companies and
private parties are investigating this futuristic innovation
that will decrease our carbon footprint and environmental
risks. Hydraulic fracturing is an evolving industry that will
challenge ethical and moral beliefs as it continues to
develop. I faced the pressure from management by
stepping back and analyzing research. I studied the codes
of ethics for professional mining engineers, as well as
engineers in general. The Case studies gave an idea of
ethical problems that could be handled in many different
forms. I learned different moral aspects about myself. The
paper taught me how to use all the different resources to
reach a conclusion that I felt strong enough to endorse as a
professional engineer. I would advise other engineers to
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First off, I would like to thank Dr. Budny for his work
with me during class time. I want to acknowledge Ms.
Emelyn Fuhrman for taking time to come into our class and
describing this assignment in great detail. I would like to
thank Ms. Lisa Roulette for guiding and critiquing me
3
Matt Montedoro
writings. I would also like to acknowledge Justin Cooke,
who I spent countless hours with in the library and for
keeping me focused on the assignment. Thank you to the
librarians who guided in the right direction during research.
Lastly, I would like to acknowledge Dan Leon and Dan
Passarello for being the best group and for giving me extra
motivation to complete this assignment.
4