OGP publishes FAQs for hydraulic fracturing

To ensure a better understanding of what is involved, OGP has produced a series of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), factual information that answers questions on hydraulic fracturing and seismicity, water, greenhouse gases and chemicals. The document contains answers to thirty-two questions regarding shale gas and hydraulic fracturing. Many of these are accompanied with graphics, and are third-party referenced throughout.

“Many of the techniques involved in extracting gas from shale – including hydraulic fracturing — have been carried out in conventional drilling for over 50 years,” says Rachel Bonfante, OGP’s Deputy Director EU Affairs. “However, with the increased interest in this extraction technique in Europe we felt it would be useful to provide our stakeholders with factual information on issues identified as areas of concern. The content was created by the ‘Gas from shale Task Force’ and was designed in-house at OGP.”

The water related questions provides answers to sampling before drilling and fracturing, quantities of water used to develop a typical shale gas deposit, radioactivity and others. Readers can find out the emission footprint of shale gas in the greenhouse gases section. The use of chemicals is dealt with in detail, and concerns over the risks of earthquakes are addressed in the seismicity section.

The FAQs highlight the benefits that successful exploration of gas from shale could potentially provide to Europe: an additional source of secure and competitive energy which could make an immediate and positive impact on reaching the EU’s ambitious CO2 reduction targets.

The importance of industry and authorities cooperating and establishing a dialogue to address public concerns through the open sharing of information and knowledge is acknowledged by OGP. “Industry experience has demonstrated that dialogue is an important element of building the trust necessary for successful development,” adds Rachel.