Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is a standard practice in the production of unconventional natural gas and oil from shales, coalbeds & other tight formations. Huge quantities of sand and water, plus other substances, some toxic, are injected repeatedly into wells to fracture the host rock and accelerate the release of gas. Water and toxins may migrate into other groundwater formations. Banned in some places and controversial, fracking is extensive in NE BC, Alberta, and southern Sask. & Man.