shale gas mining: understanding the hurdles
TRANSCRIPT
Essential Issues
Chemical Disclosure Well Construction
Storage, Transport, Treatment of WasteWaterEmissions of Methane & Other AirPollutantsLand Use, Land Quality & Cumulative Impacts
Water Resources
http://ofpeaceandpolitics.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/hydraulic-fracturing-making-the-headlines-in-2011/
Well Construction and OperationPerhaps the Most Important Issue for Public Health
Requires Strong Regulation, Inspection and Enforcement
Improper Construction and/or Operation Can Lead to Groundwater Contamination by Chemicals, Contaminated Water, And Gases
Chemical DisclosureConcern: Injection of Potentially Toxic Chemicalsin Hydraulic Fracturing Fluidinto Wells
Can Such Toxics Be Kept Out of Groundwater in NC?
•NC Shale Deposits Relatively Shallow
•Shallow Shale Outcrops Break the Surface inNumerous Locations
•Vertical Fissures in Deep River Region Sub-surfaceGeology May Intercept Shale Deposits
http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/pubs/PDF/NCGS_OFR_2009-01_20090709.pdf
Water Resources
•Hydraulic Fracturing Requires Millions ofGallons per Well
•The Deep River Region – One of the moreWater Scarce Regions in the State
•Flashy Surface Water Flow – Large Withdrawals Could Dry Up River -Impacts Unknown
•Hydraulic Fracturing in Fissured Subsurface Geology – Impacts Unknown
Wastewater Treatment•Hydraulic Fracking Fluids and Produced
Water – Potentially Toxic andSometimes Radioactive
•Municipal Wastewater Treatment PlantsNot Designed For Such Waste –Discharge to These Plants Should Not be Allowed
•Deep Well Injection Illegal in NC
•Suspected Induced Seismic Events –Ohio, Arkansas, Oklahoma
•Proximity of Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant
Air Pollutants•Potential Release of Toxic Chemicals such as
VOC’s and Heavy Metals•Especially Problematic with Open
Pit Storage•Methane (aka Natural Gas) Can Leak into the
Atmosphere – Potent GHG•Recent NOAA Study Found
2X Leakage Rate at Site Monitored in Colorado
•If Not Minimized, Could Undo Much of the Environmental Benefit
Image from http://blog.hilncore.com/2011/10/hydraulic-fracturing/http://www.nature.com/news/air-sampling-reveals-high-emissions-from-gas-field-1.9982
Land Use, Land Quality & Cumulative Impacts
•Unique Among Heavy Industries –Usually Located in Forests,Grasslands and Residential Communities
•Standard Multi-Head Well Pad Can BeOver 7 Acres –Multiplied by 1000’s of Well Sites
•Wells must be Served by New Roads,Pipelines and perhaps Liquid StorageFacilities
Image from http://www.pioga.org/environment-safety/hydraulic-fracturing/