Hydraulic Fractioning is it a sustainable, safe alternative fuel supply?
Can it be said to provide a 'green' source?
Bowland shales (the Fylde) are they a green solution to the problem of UK energy demands?
- Uncertainty? Natural gas at any price? Should diminishing North Sea Gas reserves necessitate recourse to unconventional natural gas deposits? How safe is shale gas extraction? What would be the impact on Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions?
- Governance? Responses from the European Union (EU), UK Parliament, the Whitehouse
- Globalisation? Hydraulic fracturing world-wide: USA, Canada, France, Poland and Australia
- Sustainability? Fossil fuels are considered to be finite. UK governments have made commitments to lower greenhouse emissions and to increasing the percentage of power supplies from renewable sources. How sustainable is shale gas?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Module themes
Uncertainty
Joan Garside is an undergraduate with the Open University who chose U316 The Environmental Web because it combined two of her main interests - the Environment and the Internet. Coming from North East Lancashire, the earthquakes headlined in April and May of 2011 led me to investigate hydraulic fracturing; are these unusual occurrences harbingers of environmental problems?. Earthquakes seldom occur in the Fylde, Lancashire.
Bowland shale - what, where and why?
Shale is a hard rock previously considered to be merely a seal for hydrocarbon reservoirs until gas deposits were identified within it. Modern technology and advanced (horizontal) drilling in combination with fracturing made shale gas accessible. Deposits stretch from the Bowland in the Pennines to the Fylde coast. Natural gas supplies are limited; North Sea supplies dwindle and gas prices are rising. This meant shale gas exploration became viable. Discovery of vast reserves of shale gas in the United States led to similar searches world-wide.
What is hydraulic fracturing?
(See figure 1)
Natural gas hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, propane and butane) trapped within shale seams are released by hydraulic fracturing.
After drilling into the shale and encasing the pipe in concrete, hydraulic fluids known as 'fracking fluids' (water, sand and chemicals) are pumped under high pressure into the reservoir rock (shale). (Tyndall 2011) Fractures are created allowing gas to flow out.
Uncertainty
- Current knowledge about hydraulic fracturing and its implications on the environment is incomplete (uncertain).
- Living sustainably, without further irreparable damage to the environment.
Joan Garside is an undergraduate with the Open University who chose U316 The Environmental Web because it combined two of her main interests - the Environment and the Internet. Coming from North East Lancashire, the earthquakes headlined in April and May of 2011 led me to investigate hydraulic fracturing; are these unusual occurrences harbingers of environmental problems?. Earthquakes seldom occur in the Fylde, Lancashire.
- Energy prices continue to rise and some householders are in 'fuel poverty'.
- In the UK, there is a second 'dash for gas'. But should new sources of fuel be accessed no matter what the cost to the environment?
- What are the risks to the environment of shale gas exploitation?
- What lessons can be learned from the experiences of other countries in this globalised world?
- What are the Greenhouse Gas Emissions GHG emissions from shale gas?
I intend to look at the UK shale gas industry, and focus on Cuadrilla Resource's shale gas operations in the Fylde. Following input from my tutor, I intend to focus on the module themes of Uncertainty and Sustainability.
This is written from a personal standpoint with the intention of exploring the topic using methodology taught in U316. My main resource is the Internet through which I shall find, access and assess information.
The target audience is my peer group and spatial scale is three-fold: at International, national and local level; from the United states, Canada, Australia, France and Poland to the UK and Lancashire..
My aim is to make the information readable, accessible, to provoke interest and to question the latest 'dash for gas'. 'Cheap' energy at any price?
FAQs
Dash for gas - was in response to the discovery of North Sea Gas (1970s). Government energy policy shifted in favour of natural gas. Today's dash for shale gas could lead to more gas-fired power stations.
Fuel poverty: when a household spends more than 10% of its income on fuel bills.
Hydraulic fracturing - see next page
Hydraulic fracturing - fracking This is written from a personal standpoint with the intention of exploring the topic using methodology taught in U316. My main resource is the Internet through which I shall find, access and assess information.
The target audience is my peer group and spatial scale is three-fold: at International, national and local level; from the United states, Canada, Australia, France and Poland to the UK and Lancashire..
My aim is to make the information readable, accessible, to provoke interest and to question the latest 'dash for gas'. 'Cheap' energy at any price?
FAQs
Dash for gas - was in response to the discovery of North Sea Gas (1970s). Government energy policy shifted in favour of natural gas. Today's dash for shale gas could lead to more gas-fired power stations.
Fuel poverty: when a household spends more than 10% of its income on fuel bills.
Hydraulic fracturing - see next page
Bowland shale - what, where and why?
Shale is a hard rock previously considered to be merely a seal for hydrocarbon reservoirs until gas deposits were identified within it. Modern technology and advanced (horizontal) drilling in combination with fracturing made shale gas accessible. Deposits stretch from the Bowland in the Pennines to the Fylde coast. Natural gas supplies are limited; North Sea supplies dwindle and gas prices are rising. This meant shale gas exploration became viable. Discovery of vast reserves of shale gas in the United States led to similar searches world-wide.
What is hydraulic fracturing?
(See figure 1)
Natural gas hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, propane and butane) trapped within shale seams are released by hydraulic fracturing.
After drilling into the shale and encasing the pipe in concrete, hydraulic fluids known as 'fracking fluids' (water, sand and chemicals) are pumped under high pressure into the reservoir rock (shale). (Tyndall 2011) Fractures are created allowing gas to flow out.
Figure1 BBC diagram shale gas extraction
The precise mixture varies, but water supply contamination is a possibility.
Figure 2 fracking fluid.
Photo courtesy of 'Engineering and T'
Coincidentally, earth tremors and earthquakes have been recorded since Cuadrilla Resources began operations in the Fylde.
The precise mixture varies, but water supply contamination is a possibility.
Figure 2 fracking fluid.
Photo courtesy of 'Engineering and T'
Coincidentally, earth tremors and earthquakes have been recorded since Cuadrilla Resources began operations in the Fylde.
Earthquake events
The British Isles (BI) is a low seismicity area as it lies far from any plate boundary. According to the British Geological survey (BGS), Britain is affected by plate movements and by readjustment after the last ice age. However, the Fylde area had been notably free of earth movements until Cuadrilla began operations. Since then, several earth tremors and two earthquakes have been recorded in the Fylde.
Neither earthquake was of extreme magnitude, earthquakes in the British Isles tend to be low key events. But, their occurrence in conjunction with drilling operations at the Preece Hall site gives cause for concern. The epicentre of the April event was within 500 metres of the drill site.
Cuadrilla and BGS have been at pains to point out that there has been no evidence of cause and effect. However, the nearest BGS permanent monitoring site is 50 miles (80 km) away. BGS have temporarily set up two instruments close by the drilling site.
Figure 5 UK Hazard map (BGS) showing the Fylde
PGA Peak Ground Acceleration a measurement of ground movement during an earthquake.
Before 2010 when Cuadrilla began operations the Fylde was classified as a low hazard area. According to the BGS
13th December - First drilling stage completed
Sponsors film Gasland
February - Parliamentary Environment and Climate Change Committee ECCC) hear evidence on shale gas.
2nd March - Site visit by Chair of Parliamentary Environment and Climate Change Committee (ECCC) (Her Majesty's Government)
26th March - Testing ceased to allow investigation of 'localised earth tremors'.
1st April - BGS record Fylde earthquake
10th May - Publication Parliamentary ECCC report
27th May - BGS record second Fylde earthquake
31st May - Shale gas operations cease to allow further consultations with the BGS
September 2011
Gas licensing - Department for Environment and Climate Change encourages companies to apply for licences to grant them 'exclusive rights' to drill onshore in the UK.
Through international release of his film Gasland, Joe Fox has raised a storm of controversy surrounding the risks and dangers of hydraulic fractioning. He points out cases of groundwater contamination. UK screening was sponsored by the Cooperative as part of their Toxic Fuels campaign. He recorded interviews with people who claim their lives have been blighted by fracking. The film is widely available on-line and has been aired on terrestrial and satellite television channels.
Toxic Fuels Campaign, what is it all about?
On one side Cuadrilla Resources. the ECCC, HSE and other vested interests look to Bowland shale gas extraction as a positive outcome.
Ranged against them are local inhabitants, Friends of the Earth, the Cooperative and sundry other NGOs.
In 2008 the European Commission 'Climate Action: Energy for a Changing World' set three targets
In their report (2011), the ECCC regard the change to more gas-fired electricity generation as positive because of 'lower greenhouse gas emissions'. They recommend technological development to capture carbon from gas powered stations. Also, they oppose a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing.
UK Renewable energy programme
In their September 2011 Energy Trend bulletin, the DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) report an increase of 143 per cent in electricity from renewable sources (2003-2010).
However, all is not a positive as this seems. In September 2011 a Norwegian company was paid 1.2 million GBP not to supply energy from its wind farms on the Scottish borders.
Have I gone off topic? No, this is to show that as yet UK renewable energy provision remains unreliable.
How can a reduction in greenhouse gases be achieved if methane from shale gas escapes into the environment?
How can it be more 'energy efficient' to build more gas-fired power stations?
Contributions from renewable energy schemes remain costly and unreliable
Uncertainty
Cuadrilla resources claim of bountiful gas supplies from Bowland shales remains unsubstantiated.
Tremors and earthquakes in the Fylde 2010-2011 are a matter of record (BGS). Investigations by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, BGS and Keele University are ongoing.
Sustainability
Globalisation
Cuadrilla and BGS have been at pains to point out that there has been no evidence of cause and effect. However, the nearest BGS permanent monitoring site is 50 miles (80 km) away. BGS have temporarily set up two instruments close by the drilling site.
Figure 5 UK Hazard map (BGS) showing the Fylde
PGA Peak Ground Acceleration a measurement of ground movement during an earthquake.
Before 2010 when Cuadrilla began operations the Fylde was classified as a low hazard area. According to the BGS
"The Blackpool region is an area of low seismicity even for the UK.."
FAQs Magnitude a measurement of earthquake intensity.
FAQs Magnitude a measurement of earthquake intensity.
Time-line hydraulic fracturing Fylde UK
2004 UK becomes net importer of natural gas; search for alternative supplies intensifies.
2006 New round of onshore gas licensing is announced
2010 Cuadrilla licensing (4 years) to explore and develop shale gas found in Bowland shales, Fylde, Lancashire.
16th August - Cuadrilla Resources began operations at Preece Hall Farm, Weeton, near Blackpool13th December - First drilling stage completed
2011
January - Cooperative publishes Tyndall Centre for Climate Change report into frackingSponsors film Gasland
February - Parliamentary Environment and Climate Change Committee ECCC) hear evidence on shale gas.
2nd March - Site visit by Chair of Parliamentary Environment and Climate Change Committee (ECCC) (Her Majesty's Government)
26th March - Testing ceased to allow investigation of 'localised earth tremors'.
1st April - BGS record Fylde earthquake
10th May - Publication Parliamentary ECCC report
27th May - BGS record second Fylde earthquake
31st May - Shale gas operations cease to allow further consultations with the BGS
September 2011
- Camp Frack protest weekend organised by local residents and various environmental groups: Campaign against Climate Change, Friends of the Earth, and the Cooperative
- Cuadrilla Resources announces 200 trillion cubic feet of shale gas in Bowland Basin. But as yet there has been no independent verification of the figures.
- The Cooperative and WWF call again for a moratorium on shale gas exploitation.
Gas licensing - Department for Environment and Climate Change encourages companies to apply for licences to grant them 'exclusive rights' to drill onshore in the UK.
Alternative Views Attempting to separate myths from facts
Cuadrilla Resources claim that natural gas is environmentally friendly because of its low carbon dioxide content; seeing it as transition fuel whist renewable energy sources are being developed.
In his report on Shale Gas Production, the Chief Executive Officer of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says that Cuadrilla Resources Limited received advice from the HSE regarding health and safety during site operation.
In his report on Shale Gas Production, the Chief Executive Officer of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says that Cuadrilla Resources Limited received advice from the HSE regarding health and safety during site operation.
Energy and Climate Change Committee report summary:
- shale gas in the UK is more highly regulated than in the US
- UK regulation is 'stringent', the Government remains committed to protecting the environment.
- groundwater contamination is 'unlikely', 'hypothetical' and 'unproven'
- shale gas could encourage the switch to more gas-fired power stations
- the Environment Agency (EA) needs to find out the composition of fracking fluids from the companies involved
- potential risks must be weighed up against long-term 'energy security'
Through international release of his film Gasland, Joe Fox has raised a storm of controversy surrounding the risks and dangers of hydraulic fractioning. He points out cases of groundwater contamination. UK screening was sponsored by the Cooperative as part of their Toxic Fuels campaign. He recorded interviews with people who claim their lives have been blighted by fracking. The film is widely available on-line and has been aired on terrestrial and satellite television channels.
Toxic Fuels Campaign, what is it all about?
On one side Cuadrilla Resources. the ECCC, HSE and other vested interests look to Bowland shale gas extraction as a positive outcome.
Ranged against them are local inhabitants, Friends of the Earth, the Cooperative and sundry other NGOs.
Climate Action
In 2008 the European Commission 'Climate Action: Energy for a Changing World' set three targets
- cut greenhouse gases by 20% or if agreement is reached (internationally) 30%
- increase energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption by 20%
- each member state should use renewable resources to meet 20% of energy needs
In their report (2011), the ECCC regard the change to more gas-fired electricity generation as positive because of 'lower greenhouse gas emissions'. They recommend technological development to capture carbon from gas powered stations. Also, they oppose a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing.
UK Renewable energy programme
In their September 2011 Energy Trend bulletin, the DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) report an increase of 143 per cent in electricity from renewable sources (2003-2010).
However, all is not a positive as this seems. In September 2011 a Norwegian company was paid 1.2 million GBP not to supply energy from its wind farms on the Scottish borders.
Have I gone off topic? No, this is to show that as yet UK renewable energy provision remains unreliable.
How can a reduction in greenhouse gases be achieved if methane from shale gas escapes into the environment?
How can it be more 'energy efficient' to build more gas-fired power stations?
Contributions from renewable energy schemes remain costly and unreliable
Conclusions
Uncertainty
Cuadrilla resources claim of bountiful gas supplies from Bowland shales remains unsubstantiated.
Tremors and earthquakes in the Fylde 2010-2011 are a matter of record (BGS). Investigations by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, BGS and Keele University are ongoing.
Sustainability
Globalisation
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