Drilling company Baker Hughes to disclose information about all chemicals used in fracking

The drilling services company Baker Hughes is implementing a policy of disclosing all of the chemicals it uses in its fracking operations.

Environmental groups and local communities have for years been pushing for full disclosure of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing, a drilling technique also known as fracking.

In response, the oil and gas industry set up an online database that lists many of the chemicals, but held back crucial information on certain chemicals and the amounts used on the grounds that it would provide competitors with trade secrets.

Baker Hughes says starting Wednesday it will not withhold any information on those grounds. It first announced the policy earlier this year.