LITTLE ROCK — The National Science Foundation has awarded the University of Arkansas at Little Rock a $35,773 grant for a conference on hydraulic fracturing and environmental pollution.
UALR will host the conference on April 20 and 21. Organizers say it is the first of its size and scope for UALR and is designed for leaders in academia, industry and government.
The grant's principal investigator, Dr. Lashun K. Thomas, said the conference was created to bring together experts from all sectors to promote ideas, address fracturing efficiency and discuss ways to mitigate the environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing.
Hydraulic fracturing is a commonly used technology for well stimulation to increase oil and gas production. Thomas said there is an urgent need for improved fracturing fluids and methods to minimize the potential environmental impact.