noun
- the process of injecting liquid at high pressure into rock to force open existing cracks and extract oil or natural gas
Usage: also called hydraulic fracturing; commonly used in energy industry and environmental discussions
Examples
- Fracking has increased oil and natural gas production in the United States.
- Environmental groups have raised concerns about the effects of fracking on groundwater.
- The company uses fracking techniques to extract shale gas from deep underground.
- Fracking requires large amounts of water mixed with chemicals and sand.
- Some states have banned fracking due to environmental worries.