Fracking

So its about time I do a blog on Fracking! Its been around in the news now all year but it looks like at the moment things are coming to a climax, with protesters affecting the production of a company.

 

Today, reporters are stationed outside a Cuadrilla Well site, close to Balcombe village.

1000 anti fracking activists are set up outside with over 40 arrests already taken place. Production at the site has currently been halted as the company adds to security measurements at the site to make it safer for their workers after advice from Sussex Police. Many residents are worried of criminal activity in the area with the many protesters coming from across the UK. 

Pictures from BBC, Protesters along the road outside Cuadrilla site

 

 

So what is all the fuss about? Well here is a quick rundown on the pros and cons of Fracking.

 

HOW MUCH GAS?

A lot of the shale gas is in parts of central Britain in an area between Wrexham and Blackpool in the west, and Nottingham and Scarborough in the east. The estimate is in the form of a range to reflect geological uncertainty. The lower limit of the range is 822 tcf* and the upper limit is 2281 tcf, but the central estimate for the resource is 1329 tcf.

Data from BGS*

 

WHAT IS THE GAS?

Shale gas is mainly composed of methane which is a ‘natural gas’ and used to generate electricity for a range of uses. It is produced using technologies developed since the 1980s that enable gas to be recovered from rocks (mostly shale) which were previously considered to be unsuitable for extracting gas.

 

WHERE CAN IT BE FOUND?

There are several different rock lithologies below the UK in which have the potential to produce shale gas. Main rocks are the Carboniferous units, particularly the Bowland Shale Formation which is found across Northwest, central and Eastern England. It is possible that other sequences in the Jurassic rocks of the Weald Basin, may contain Shale gas across parts of southern and north-eastern England, and County Fermanagh Northern Ireland.

BGS*

 

WHAT IS THE PROCESS

Exploration of these rock sequences will begin first in which boreholes are drilled into the shale selected sites. They may be drilled horizontally to increase the volume of rock that can be accessed. When it is known that gases are within a process called hydraulic fracturing ('fracking') begins. This involves pumping water into sections of the borehole at high pressures in which the rock can be fractured. Sand added into the water helps keep the fractures open and this allows the gas to flow into the borehole.

 Chemicals can also be added to improve the efficiency of the fracking operation and amount of gas extracted.

 

Image from BBC

 

THE RISKS

There are a few minor risks involved with shale gas extraction. 'Induced seismicity’ can be a consequence of this fracturing rock, this has already been seen across Lancashire in 2011 when a handful of "Earthquakes" were felt by a few residents. There is also the potential for groundwater and surface water contamination. Spillage where the water and chemicals are stored and mixed at the drill/fracking site or the flow of fluids within the rocks may cause local water sources to be contaminated. There is also likely to be hundreds of service lorries and tankers visiting the site each day which will cause nuisance to the local residents in the usually quite country areas.

 

However, the medias portrayal and peoples views of "Big Earthquakes and contaminated water" are a bit exaggerated. Any tremors resulting in fracking will be minor, they will not be felt by many, if any and would cause no damage to property. Also, it was revealed that the amount of contaminants in water is also low. It has been stated, at sites which currently operate the contaminants in water sources nearby are lower than the Environment Agency standards for polluted water. 

 

Seriously, would a large company like this put lives at risk by their techniques? 

 

THE POSITIVES

Firstly, millions of pounds will be brought to the areas affected along with reduced bills. There will also be hundreds of new jobs. In the US it has boosted oil and gas production, reducing gas prices and with a security of gas for about 100 years, generating electricity at half the CO2 emissions of coal. 

 

 

The world is running low on energy resources and this area is new and needs developing. It still consists as a greenhouse gas polluter but much less than using coal. In  a few years time many other coal power station in the UK will have to close to meet EU guidelines on polluntants. This means that the UK will not be self sufficient in its power production. Meaning we will have to get gas/oil from elsewhere. Which will be costly and will increase bills. There is no way of creating enough renewable energy sources to compensate our energy loss. These sources are highly expensive. Therefore this gas, which is right under our feet is a good option in the mean-time so that we can continue developing renewable energy sources, with more money going towards them as the gas we extract will be cheaper and see bills reduce. The gas beneath us will keep us powering the UK for over a 100 years 

 

 In my opinion fracking is a good option. The media have portrayed fracking and the views of some people have been ridiculous! I heard one person say how they are "Blowing up the Earth, drilling into it!" it is not serious. These people don't understand the process, the true impacts, the current need for energy sources in a time when we are not at a stage to rely on renewables or afford to make enough to power the UK. The environmental impacts compared to coal and oil are minute and visually a few wells across the country is much better than an open cast mine and spoil heaps.

 I can understand peoples worries, but with the investments it brings, with money and jobs it is something that this country needs to help improve our economy.

 

I can imagine, that the government feel this too and the fact there are many protesting will not phase them in pushing ahead. 

 

BGS* British Geological Survey