The well is first drilled using a drill pipe. At least eight thick layers of steel casing and concrete are then cemented in place to create a solid barrier and help ensure safe well construction and drinking water protection.

Underground aquifers lie between 50 and 600 feet below earth’s surface. The shale rock is found more than a mile (or the length of six empire state buildings) below the these aquifers.

At about 500 feet above the shale formation, the drilling is then angled, ultimately creating a horizontal line. A tool is then inserted into the pipe to create small holes in the pipe in preparation for fracturing and for eventual hydrocarbon production.

The fracturing fluid, a mud-like consistency composed of sand, water and chemicals, is pumped through the protected well. This process is then repeated multiple times.

The fracturing fluids pumped into the section under high pressure create cracks to allow oil and gas to move freely from the rock pores into the pipe. Plugs are inserted into the section as the fracturing repeats across the entire length of the horizontal well. Once complete, all of the plugs are removed, allowing the gas to flow out of the well.

A wellhead (and other collection equipment) is installed at the surface before the well goes into production. Once complete, this well can create decades of reliable energy production.