Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Introduction and Overview: the Role of
Shale Gas in Securing Our Energy Future
PETER HARDY
ABSTRACT
The phenomenon of shale gas is both topical and controversial. Its
proponents claim that it is a clean, environmentally friendly and
abundant source of cheap natural gas; its opponents believe the op-
posite. In several countries it is a fast-growing industry and operations
have begun in the UK.
With conventional reserves of natural gas being quickly depleted, gas
prospecting is turning to ''unconventional resources'', one example
being gas found in shale. Uncommon technologies, notably hydraulic
fracturing and horizontal drilling, are necessary for shale extraction to
be economical.
Shale gas has faced some diculties over concerns regarding en-
vironmental pollution. In the US, Gasland, an influential film was re-
leased alleging that waste fluid from hydraulic fracturing, ''flowback
water'', was polluting groundwater. While it is possible for methane to
enter groundwater through a faulty well completion, in the UK it is the
responsibility of the Environment Agency and HSE to ensure regulation
is adequate to prevent risks to the environment or human health.
There have been two earthquakes in Lancashire thought to have
been caused by shale gas operations. The results of an investigation
into these have been accepted as revealing that they were caused by
hydraulic fracturing operations and new guidelines are being proposed
to reduce the risk of this happening again.
