Workshops Cover Risks in Shale Gas Development
Monday, May 6, 2013
WASHINGTON — The National Research Council will hold two workshops in the spring and summer of 2013 to review and discuss the state of knowledge about the risks associated with the development of shale gas resources and about various possible approaches to managing and reducing risks.
The workshops are being organized by a special committee on risk management and governance issues in shale gas development under the council’s board on environmental change and society.
Characterizing the risks
The first workshop, to be held May 30-31, is addressed to characterizing the risks of shale gas development.
Presenters will review the state and limits of scientific knowledge on selected risk issues posed by widespread use of hydraulic fracturing and related technologies for gas production.
The second workshop will be held on Aug. 15-16 and will focus on possible governance approaches to managing and reducing the risks of shale gas development.
Presenters will review the state of knowledge regarding the potential for various kinds of rules, regulations, processes, and institutions to ensure desired levels of safety, pollution prevention and risk reduction in the industry.
Registration
Both workshops are open to the public and will take place in Washington, DC.
Space is limited, but the workshops will also be webcast. To register to attend in person or to join a webcast, visit http://sites.nationalacademies.org.
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.