How has our ability to drill deeper wells impacted where humans can live?
1 Answer
Feb 15, 2016
Not to any great extent, with some exceptions.
Explanation:
Most deep wells are related to oil and gas exploration and these tend to be away from major urban areas. But the depth isn't that critical - its just that oil and gas wells and urban areas just don't mix - at least in North America. I visited an oilfield in China once wherein there were active pump jacks pumping oil right in the middle of a town!
The other emerging issue that is creating conflict between oil and gas wells and urban areas is the drilling/extraction technique called "fracking". Fracking has caused small earthquakes close to urban areas and some communities are calling for bans on fracking.
