There IS an alternative way to "frack"; it uses small amounts of explosives put into the pipe and detoinated; but it`s MUCH more dangerous to the drillers and apparently isn`t as "cost effective' as the chemicals; BOTH methods CAN (and HAVE ) also "fracked" the upper level shales that would optimely hold in the natural gas so more can be collected and sold. This is what causes the gas to enter the ground water table and is such a hazzard. It`s just not well enough understood yet to SAFELY do this around populated areas, because fracturing that shale can allow the local water tables to fall SIGNIFICANTLY; anyone want to pay to drill a 1,000+` deep water well?