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Cadeirydd / Chair: Dr Madeleine Havard Cyfarwyddwraig / Director: Susan Evans www.waleslink.org
Shale Gas
January 2012
Wales Environment Link (WEL) is a network of environmental and countryside NonGovernmental Organisations in Wales, most of whom have an all-Wales remit. WEL is officially
designated the intermediary body between the government and the environmental NGO sector
in Wales. Its vision is to increase the effectiveness of the environmental sector in its ability to
protect and improve the environment through facilitating and articulating the voice of the
sector.
WEL Position on Shale Gas
WEL is concerned about the impact of shale gas extraction for the following key reasons (see
background for further detail):
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risk of groundwater contamination from fracking fluids
additional strain on scarce water resources
contribution to greenhouse gas emissions
risk of minor earthquakes
WEL would like to see a strong policy presumption against shale gas extraction in
Wales for at least the period of this National Assembly. In the absence of powers over
large energy infrastructure, the Welsh Government should work with the Westminster
Government to ensure that, in accordance with the precautionary principle, no shale gas
extraction takes place in Wales until the risks are fully understood and unless they can be
mitigated.
In relation to potential impacts of mineral extraction (including minerals for energy) Mineral
Planning Policy Wales (p14) currently states, “Mineral planning authorities must consult the
Environment Agency on these complex issues and, where doubt exists, should adopt the
precautionary principle in taking planning decisions on mineral development.” Clear guidance
on shale gas extraction could be added to the onshore oil and gas section of Mineral
Planning Policy Wales to give a clear signal to Mineral Planning Authorities that shale gas
extraction may be in conflict with the Welsh Government’s guidance on planning for
sustainability (Planning Policy Wales Chapter 4) and with its guidance on protecting surface
and groundwater resources.
Given the potential impact on the environment and on communities, the development of
shale gas should be subject to full public consultation and rigorous evidenced-based
impact assessment, before any exploration of shale gas extraction takes place. In
particular this should examine issues relating to fugitive emissions, carbon footprint and effect
on meeting climate change objectives, contamination of ground water, increased risk of
earthquakes and social impacts.
WEL believes that we should aim to reduce our dependence on oil and gas. If we are
serious about tackling climate change, we should be improving energy efficiency and building
a strong renewable industry in Britain, rather than encouraging further extraction of fossil fuels.
Background
Shales are fine-grained sedimentary rocks that can be rich sources of petroleum and natural
gas. The gas (mainly methane) can be extracted by drilling into shale formations, vertically and
horizontally, and then fracturing the shale rocks by injecting a pressurised fluid. This hydraulic
fracturing process, or ‘fracking’, releases the gas which then travels back along the bore hole.
On 11 June 2011, Wales Online reported:
“A shale gas field comparable to some of the largest in the world could be trapped
beneath the coal fields of South Wales, a report has found. An Australian exploration
firm which holds several licenses to exploit the gas reserves trapped in the shale rocks
deep beneath the UK believes the reserves in Wales are far larger than previously
thought. Eden Energy’s studies suggest that the quantity of gas would be equivalent to
the amount needed to meet the UK’s gas use for four years.
The potential value, if the company’s estimate is proven to be accurate, could be as
high as £70bn at current market prices.
Eden Energy’s report into the region’s potential shale gas reserves were carried out by
US consultants RPS Group. In its report, RPS found exploration licences in South
Wales could hold 34 trillion cubic feet of gas, of which 12.8 trillion cubic feet is
classified as recoverable. In 2009 the UK used a total of 3.6 trillion cubic feet of gas.”
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/06/11/is-wales-sitting-on-gasreserves-worth-billions-91466-28859676/
Environmental concerns regarding shale gas extraction
There are many concerns about the environmental impact of shale gas extraction. These
include concerns about risks of contamination of water by fluids used for hydraulic fracturing or
by substances present in the rock formation (over 1,000 such cases have already been
reported in 5 US states). A major investigation into this issue is being undertaken by the US
Environmental Protection Agency. A January 2011 report by the Tyndall Centre also shows
that hydraulic fracturing also uses significant amounts of water, which may place undue
burdens on the areas where extraction is taking place, particularly in the light of future stresses
on water supplies due to climate change.
http://www.tyndall.ac.uk/sites/default/files/coop_shale_gas_report_final_200111.pdf
Exploiting shale gas is likely to hinder attempts to mitigate climate change. An assessment by
R.W. Howarth et al of Cornell University found that fugitive emissions of methane to the
atmosphere over the lifecycle of a shale gas well would be greater than for conventional gas. It
also found that the GHG emissions from production and use of shale gas could be greater than
for coal. More peer-reviewed research is required to establish whether this is the case.
http://www.sustainablefuture.cornell.edu/news/attachments/Howarth-EtAl-2011.pdf
There are concerns in Canada and the US that hydraulic fracturing for shale gas extraction has
set off minor earthquakes. In the UK, Cuadrilla Resources, an energy company that claims
that there are 200 trillion cubic feet of gas in shale under the Bowland Basin in Lancashire,
suspended fracking operations near Blackpool in June over fears of a link to two minor
earthquakes in the area. (BBC News Wales 26 Sept: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales15040977)
The French parliament has become the first to vote for a ban on a controversial new technique
for extracting natural gas, amid concerns about environmental pollution.
http://www.channel4.com/news/france-votes-to-ban-shale-gas-drilling
New York State Assembly has renewed its moratorium on issuance of new permits for the
drilling of hydraulic fractured natural gas wells in New York State until June 2012. In August
2011, New Jersey also imposed a year ban on fracking.
On 5 October 2011, GreenWise, a news information service for business, reported that the EU
commission has decided to back a new directive on fuel quality. This will set minimum
environmental standards for a range of fuels, including tar sands, coal converted to liquid and
oil from shale rock. The proposals have been sent to EU member states who will meet in four
to six weeks to vote on the proposal. It will then go to the European Parliament for final
approval.
The article went on to mention shale gas:
“Although gas from shale is not yet included, because the proposed directive is focused on
transport fuels, the acceptance that fuels must meet minimum environmental standards makes
it much more likely that it too could fall foul of legislation in the future. Shale gas has come
under the spotlight as vast sources in the US have proved a cheap source of fuel there, but
allegations of widespread pollution caused by the shale gas projects has led green groups to
call for a moratorium.”
http://www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/news/oil-sands-imports-could-be-banned-under-eudirective-2676.aspx
The following WEL members support this document:
BTCV Cymru
Butterfly Conservation Wales
Campaign for National Parks
Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales
Coed Cadw / Woodland Trust
RSPB Cymru
Wildlife Trusts Wales
WWF Cymru
Wales Environment Link unites voluntary bodies whose primary aims include the conservation, protection or quiet enjoyment of landscape, wildlife or amenity in Wales
Mae Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru yn uno cyrff gwirfoddol sydd â’u hamcanion pennaf yn cynnwys cadwraeth, gwarchodaeth neu fwynhad tawel o dirlun, bywyd gwyllt ac amwynder yng Nghymru
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