Hydrocarbon Development from Shale: A Set of Important, Unsolved Problems
Abstract
Hydraulic fracturing has become synonymous with the new technologies and processes used to develop oil and methane from shale formations. We will address the following important set of problems associated with such development and the role scientists are playing in communicating these to the public. Human Health Consequences: The health consequences of the wide-range of fugitive hydrocarbon emissions associated with methane and oil are not adequately addressed. New evidence about exposure to, and the known and possible health effects of, these toxic hitch hikers will be presented. Methane Emissions: Methane is a more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, though atmospheric residence is shorter. Methane is emitted through-out the development life-cycle, albeit there is uncertainty over the rate, and short-term effect on global warming. Leakage from Faulty Wells: Multiple industry studies show that about 5 percent of oil and gas wells immediately leak methane and other fluids into the atmosphere and water wells due to integrity issues and increasing rates of leakage over time. With millions of wells drilled worldwide, and millions more expected, this problem is neither negligible nor preventable with current technology. Federal Exemptions and Home Rule: 'Fracking' currently slips through federal environmental statutory law because of an industry-friendly exemption. However, trusts are established in US law and the Public Trust Doctrine provides a basis for courts to enjoin 'fracking' due to the potential impact on beneficiaries of the trust --present and future generations. The public trust designates government as a trustee of crucial resources and imposes a fiduciary obligation on agencies to prevent "substantial impairment" of- and protect access to- clean air, clean water and other natural resources vital for public welfare and survival. Already applied to the realm of ecology, the doctrine is reviewed as a legal and policy toot to protect communities threatened by 'fracking.' Additionally, 'oil and gas - rights' Legislation and State Supreme Court decisions in communities underlain by shale deposits has been to silence 'Home-Rule' rights. The post-extraction impact of such rulings on public health and property values is dramatic. Soil Quality: Fracking poses a serious threat to soil quality and underlines the crucial role that soils can play in mitigating climate change. In addition to critical ecosystem and agricultural benefits, healthy soils represent a significant natural carbon reservoir. Enhancing the Natural Terrestrial Sequestration (NTS) potential of soils is an important carbon management strategy. Our studies reveal undisturbed soils underlain by intermediate to mafic volcanic rocks and shale formations sampled can have 2 to 6 times greater total organic soil carbon (TOSC) than global averages. However, anthropogenic disturbed-lands now represent the 7th largest- land class (ISRIC, US-DOI) and may account for a significant reduction in NTS potential. EPA studies indicate 20 to 85% of frack-fluids are not recovered. This could continue to be a long-term source of soil and groundwater contamination - risking further decreased NTS potential.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013AGUFMPA14A..04I
- Keywords:
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- 1831 HYDROLOGY Groundwater quality;
- 3305 ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES Climate change and variability;
- 5104 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ROCKS Fracture and flow;
- 6620 PUBLIC ISSUES Science policy