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Hydraulic fracturing operation outside Rifle, in western Colorado
Image: Brennan Linsley/AP Photo/picture allianceImage: Brennan Linsley/AP Photo/picture alliance

Fracking

Hydraulic fracturing is a technique to extract gas from rock. But people living close to fracking sites are concerned about the impact of toxic chemicals used in the process.

Skip next section All Content on this topic

All Content on this topic

Industrial chimney stacks

UK leaves pro-fossil fuel Energy Charter Treaty

The UK is the latest in a growing wave of defections from the Energy Charter Treaty and its billion dollar lawsuits.
Nature and EnvironmentFebruary 22, 2024
DW Sendung Made | Oil

Oil drilling in South America

South America is one of the most oil-rich continents on the planet. But should it continue drilling?
BusinessDecember 6, 202306:52 min
An archive picture of a rig of the Canadian-based Talisman Energy exploring for shale gas in the village of Szymkowo, in central Poland

Is Polish shale gas the answer to the EU's energy shortage?

Although there is currently no shale gas production in Europe, Polish energy experts could alleviate the energy crisis.
BusinessApril 3, 2023
Global 3000 Fracking Retter in der Energiekrise oder Klimakiller

US: Fracking – energy savior or climate killer?

Fracking means new jobs and cheaper energy in the US. Opponents say it is disastrous for people and the environment.
Nature and EnvironmentMarch 18, 202306:37 min
Sign reading 'stop fracking' in Brünen, Germany in 2014

Fracking: The energy issue splitting the German government

FDP leader Christian Lindner wants to frack for natural gas, which could crack the government, as well as the bedrock.
PoliticsNovember 5, 2022
DW Sendung Made in Germany | Krieger

Fracking in your own backyard?

Krieger fracks in his own backyard.
OffbeatSeptember 27, 202202:08 min
Workers at a fracking operation in the US state of Colorado

UK lifts fracking ban in England

The UK government said it is ending England's moratorium on fracking.
Nature and EnvironmentSeptember 22, 2022
British Prime Minister Liz Truss speaks at Parliament

Truss introduces energy plan, ends fracking ban

British Prime Minister Liz Truss has announced a package aimed at mitigating energy costs.
PoliticsSeptember 8, 2022
Rows of pipes on top of each other. A man stands in one pipe

Germany considers fracked gas amid energy crisis

As Berlin scrambles to cut its dependence on Russian gas, could taboo fracking creep into the energy mix?
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 18, 2022
Natural gas pipeline storage facility

How can we realistically replace gas?

Coal, nuclear, fracked gas or renewables — how can Germany power itself and protect the environment?
Nature and EnvironmentJune 23, 2022
A large gas tanker with LNG on the side

The true cost of fracked US 'freedom gas'

Weaning Europe off Russian gas by importing the fracked US variety could be climate suicide.
Nature and EnvironmentMarch 28, 2022
Women hold paper bags with protest slogans in Greek. The women are wearing face masks and traditional Greek dress

In Greece, women activists sing and dance against oil

Protest and pandemic are complicating Greece's oil and gas exploration plans. 
Nature and EnvironmentApril 1, 2021
A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker arrives at a gas storage station at Sodegaura city in Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo

Does Germany need liquefied natural gas?

Critics slam Germany's planned LNG terminals on grounds of climate pollution and fracking hypocrisy.
Nature and EnvironmentFebruary 14, 2020
A ship lays pipe for the deep-sea pipeline Nordstream 2

German think tank calls for 'climate tariffs' against US

A German think tank says the EU should fight back against US sanctions related to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
PoliticsDecember 23, 2019
A fracking site in the US

UK bans fracking, effective immediately

A new scientific study has found that fracking causes unpredictable earth tremors.
Nature and EnvironmentNovember 2, 2019
Deutschland Frankfurt (Oder) Plastiktüten hängen an Zaun

Berlin and Beyond: Time for Germany to ban plastic bags

It's time Germany joined the list of countries banning plastic bags, says DW's Tamsin Walker.
Nature and EnvironmentJuly 3, 2019
Plastic

We need to talk about virgin plastics

Controversial plans in the city of Antwerp stand to contradict broad EU environmental reforms on plastics and fracking.
Nature and EnvironmentApril 26, 2019
Fracking in Patagonien, Argentinien

Argentina's power struggles

Argentina’s energy strategy relies on a major expansion of shale gas and oil drilling and the government hopes that it can raise natural gas production from 130 million cubic meters a day to 260 million, supplying the country and providing gas to export. Will this compromise Argentina's commitment towards the environment?
Nature and EnvironmentJanuary 17, 201910:37 min
Oil drilling rigs in Texas

Doubts over US shale's rapid growth

The International Energy Agency, and several oil analysts, are concerned that the US oil boom has been overhyped.
BusinessNovember 14, 2018
Symbolbild EU-Erweiterung

Inside Europe 27.09.2018

Donald Trump's new man in Brussels talks about transatlantic ties - How EU companies plan to sidestep US sanctions on Iran - Italy's new anti-migrant law - New Polish movie upsets the Catholic Church - Northern Ireland under pressure to legalize abortions - Calls to ban the use of cages in animal farming - Campaigning against the far-right in eastern Germany – The future of fracking in England
PoliticsSeptember 28, 201855:00 min
Two people hold hands in front of a protest for climate action in San Francisco

The people protecting the planet

From activists in the treetops to residents holding fracking at bay, we meet the people protecting our environment.
Nature and EnvironmentSeptember 13, 201829:59 min
A sign reads 'Frack Free Zone' in front of a red brick tower in Blackpool, England.

Keeping fracking at bay in the UK

Britain's once quiet fracking industry looks set to ramp up, thanks to a loosening of strict government regulations.
Nature and EnvironmentSeptember 13, 201805:28 min
brennende Methanhydratbrocken

Fire and ice: The world's biggest untapped fuel?

Methane hydrate could meet humanity's energy needs for a century – but would extracting it be a climate catastrophe?
Nature and EnvironmentMay 31, 2018
external

Oil Glut Lowers Prices

This week a barrel slipped below 45 dollars, even though exporters have slashed production.
BusinessJune 22, 201701:19 min
Demonstration against fracking in the UK

Gas from the Amazon or fracked in Europe?

Amid a heated national debate over fracking, the UK has received its first natural gas cargo from the Peruvian Amazon.
Nature and EnvironmentMarch 8, 2017
Deutschland Mannheim - Humboldtpinguin im Luisenpark

Through the lens

Stolen penguins and new shark species are just a few of the environmental events that made this week's news.
Nature and EnvironmentFebruary 16, 2017
Deutschland Symbolbild Frecking Schild Kein Frecking

Germany largely bans fracking

Particularly risky fracking is banned until at least 2021, while tighter rules are imposed on "conventional" fracking.
PoliticsFebruary 11, 2017
Symbolbild IEA Bericht zum Ölmarkt

Oil prices keep surging after Opec oil cut

Oil prices hit a 16-month high following Opec's deal to cut production for the first time in 8 years.
BusinessDecember 6, 201601:19 min
UK 'Frack Free Zone' opposing proposed fracking in Lancashire sign hangs along the seafront at Blackpool as locals enjoy the weekend sunshine (Photo: John Cobb/Greenpeace)

UK fracking battle

Post-Brexit UK is keen to exploit vast shale gas reserves. Many local residents are far less enthusiastic.
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 15, 2016
Ukraine Illegale Bernsteinförderung

The amber Mafia from Ukraine

Criminal gangs are hiring local people in northwestern Ukraine to mine amber illegally.
PoliticsJune 23, 201606:15 min
USA Vorwahlen Kandidat Donald Trump

Trump unveils 'America first' energy plan

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump vows to undo the Paris climate pact and boost fossil fuel production.
May 27, 2016
The Hudson river in NYC

Mother vs. pipeline

Fearing for her children's safety, scientist Courtney Williams is leading the fight against the Algonquin pipeline.
SocietyApril 15, 201606:08 min
Kohle Werk Washington USA

Coal giant Peabody bankrupt

The biggest US coal firm is bankrupt, battered by competition from cheap natural gas and a push for cleaner energy.
April 13, 2016
USA Unfall Aubrey McClendon

Oil entrepreneur Aubrey McClendon killed in crash

Chesapeake Energy co-founder Aubrey McClendon has died a day after being indicted on bid-rigging charges.
March 3, 2016
Wenkel Rolf Kommentarbild App

Opinion: Up with the oil price!

Rolf Wenkel
Rising oil price is a good thing, to an extent, Rolf Wenkel finds.
February 18, 2016
Öl Tonne Fass Umwelt Umweltverschmutzung Katastrophe

Black gold on sale

The price of oil hit a 12-year low in early 2016. When will it bounce back?
January 26, 2016
Ölfeld in China

Hit hard by sinking oil prices

Prices for crude oil are reaching new lows almost daily. Some countries have been hit harder than others.
BusinessJanuary 25, 20169 images
Symbolbild Ausfall der Ölpreise

Examining global oil market

DW takes a look at the impact of OPEC's high supply, US shale surge and the return of Iranian oil on crude oil prices.
July 30, 2015
Fracking in Poland

Fracking in Europe

Fracking has been banned in many European countries. Is the apparent European shale gas boom over?
July 20, 2015
USA Deutsche Rohstoff AG

Germany debates fracking bill

Heated Bundestag debate on fracking legislation
May 7, 2015
USA Deutsche Rohstoff AG

Massive UK oil field discovered

British oil firm UKOG has discovered a huge oil field south of London that could contain billions of barrels of crude.
April 9, 2015
Fracking Alberta

US split on fracking

Americans are split on fracking, but strong majorities want more solar and wind power, polls show.
April 1, 2015
Protest gegen Fracking vor dem Bundeskanzleramt in Berlin

German government approves controversial fracking bill

German cabinet has decided to allow shale gas fracking in Germany, but only under strict regulation.
April 1, 2015
Fracking plant in Pennsylvania (Photo: EPA/JIM LO SCALZO)

BHP cuts US shale oil

Hit by slumping commodities prices, BHP Billiton is closing some of its US shale oil rigs.
January 21, 2015
Fracking installation in Alberta, Canada

Fracked out of a job

Plunging oil prices have ratcheted up the pressure on US exploration firms.
January 19, 2015
Fracking facility in Pennsylvania (Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Finding fault with fracking

Researchers have found a direct connection between fracking and earthquakes in Ohio.
January 6, 2015
Ölbohrinseln vor der Küste von Baku Aserbaidschan

The oil price trap

An improvement in the price of oil is not in sight even in 2015, says DW's Henrik Böhme.
December 23, 2014
USA Fracking Öl-/Gasbohrung

New York to ban fracking

New York state governor Andrew Cuomo has said an existing ban on hydraulic fracturing will be extended after a review found unresolved health risks and unclear economic benefits of the widely-used drilling technique.
December 18, 2014

Brent at a bargain: China ups oil imports

Falling oil prices are a double blessing for Beijing but a continuing reliance on imports would be a fatal error for China, says DW columnist Frank Sieren.
December 12, 2014
Kohleminen Alberta

Living Planet: Fracking and ill health

Alberta residents take fracking head on, Italy’s olive oil production is hit hard, the myth of New York City’s rats revealed, and could legalizing rhino horn trade help save the species from poaching?
December 11, 201429:59 min