Expert warns fracking leaks are result of cutting corners
An applied geophysicist was in Glastonbury on Tuesday night to talk to civic leaders about fracking.
Dr James P Verdon, a research fellow from the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol talked to town councillors and members of the public – which included people from Frack-Free Somerset – about the implications of fracking.
Fracking involves injecting high-pressure water and chemicals into shale rock to blast out trapped natural gas.
A Government document has identified parts of Somerset as having the best potential for "shale gas".
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Councillors had already passed a resolution not to support fracking in Somerset, but some had asked for more information.
Dr Verdon showed a series of slides detailing the fracking process and answered questions from councillors and members of the public.
He also talked about the effects of fracking on the health and environment near the wells and dispelled a number of myths and fears.
"I am not here to tell you if you should support fracking," he said.
"That is for you to decide.
"I am here to tell you how the process works and the effects that science has shown that it has on the people nearby and the surrounding areas."
He highlighted incidents where there had been contaminated water and chemical leakages, which he said had historically been caused by companies cutting corners or not adhering to regulations.
Councillors were so impressed with the talk they have asked Dr Verdon to return to the town to speak to members of public at a later date.
You can view Dr Verdon's research and website at http://www1.gly.bris.ac.uk/~James Verdon/
You can comment on this story on our website: www.thisissomer set.co.uk, or write to us at ed itor@midsomnews.co.uk.
Comments
by JamesVerdon
Thursday, March 21 2013, 12:08PM
“I thought I might add a comment to round out your report a little, as I feel that I am at risk of being mis-construed. I did indeed highlight the handful on incidents that have occurred in the USA. However, it is crucial that they are placed in the appropriate context. For instance, the handful of incidents discussed represent a tiny percentage (something like 0.03% according to the US Groundwater Protection Council) of the number of wells drilled across the US.
It is also important to highlight key differences in the regulatory regimes in the US and what is applied to UK oil and gas activities. One issue in the US is that waste fluids are stored in open pits or 'tailing ponds'. Occasionally these can be prone to leaking or overflowing. In the UK, such ponds are not permitted - any waste has to be stored in double-lined steel tanks prior to disposal at treatment plants.
The debate over unconventional gas extraction has become hugely polarised. I do not envy the position of Glastonbury's council as they are bombarded by pro and con arguments from either side: tales of untold riches and a booming economy on the one hand and of environmental wastelands on the other, both completely exaggerated. My personal view is that unconventional gas development, done at a slower pace than the 'gas-rush' seen in the US, conducted under a much more rigorous regulatory regime than that of the US, will be beneficial for the region. However, that is my personal view, and it is right that the people in the regions affected should have the biggest say on what goes on in their local area.”