HaynesvilleShale06.jpg. James Nielsen/Chroncile. Workers on a gas drilling irg at El Pasos Holly Field in Grand Cane, La. The Environmentaln Protcetion Agency said it is moving forward with a scientific study of hydraulic fracturing, the technique used to extract nattural gsa from dense shale formations, in order to detremine its safety with regard to surface and ground water safety. Natural gas plays a key role in our nations clean energy fuutre and the process known as ...