Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
unconventional gases for which they perform various roles. The agencies
provide advice to central government and regulate operators to ensure that
the environment is protected. They also advise government on the sustain-
ability of these sources of natural gas and their associated extraction
technologies. The agencies ensure that the exploration and development of
unconventional gases is regulated effectively to manage risks to surface
water and groundwater resources. In addition, they are responsible for
granting any necessary environmental permits and have powers to serve
notices, where required, to protect the local environment.
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This is done by
applying a proportionate and risk-based approach to preventing pollution
and protecting the environment. The EA is responsible for regulating water
abstraction and regulating any discharge associated with the extraction
process and is also a statutory consultee in the planning process and will
provide advice to local authorities on individual gas extraction sites.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) administers the
licensing system under the Petroleum Act 1998, which authorises each
particular drilling as a development activity. DECC provides up-to-date
information on its website relating to the various Approved Codes of Practice,
ocial guidance and referenced codes, standards, etc., which need to be
taken into account when proposing to develop a shale gas deposit.
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The Planning Authority (generally the local authority) deals with the
planning application that is required for each site. The councillors who are
responsible for approving these planning applications are locally elected
representatives and as such are keenly aware of the local issues and the
impact that these decisions will have on the local electorate.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulates the safety aspects of the
work, which contributes to the mitigation of the environmental risk. In
particular, they are responsible for regulating the appropriate design,
construction and continued integrity of any gas well. In addition, the rest of
the requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 will also need
to be considered when proposing and undertaking any works.
The Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) has published a
guidance document, IGEM/G/101 on Onshore Natural Gas Extraction and
Route to Use, which provides an overview of the requirements in the UK.
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7 Predictions are Hard, Especially about the Future
Shale gas has not yet been developed on a commercial basis in the UK, which
inevitably means that one has to make a series of assumptions about how
successful the shale gas industry will become and the effect of shale gas on
energy prices within the UK economic environment.
As many experts have identified, there are a number of barriers and issues
about UK shale gas that are different from the situation applicable in the
USA. These include different geology, different regulation and a much
greater density of population. The experience of other European countries
also highlights that, even within Europe, opinions relating to shale gas are
