Fracking plans go under the spotlight
By Bath Chronicle | Thursday, October 18, 2012, 11:00
A public meeting has been called to discuss plans for fracking under land at Keynsham.
Specialist firm UK Methane has lodged a planning application to drill a borehole on land near the Hick's Gate roundabout, to see whether extracting methane gas is viable.
But campaigners say the move could damage the environment and that more eco-friendly energy solutions should be considered instead.
The meeting next Tuesday has been organised by Transition Keynsham and Frack- Free Somerset, and campaigner Laura Corfield said the event would be a good way for people to learn more about other energy options.
"We've organised a meeting because there is no other way for people to find out what is happening and the possible consequences for this sort of drilling to happen in the local community," she said.
"It is to inform people about the drilling and to inform people about the energy shortage in the UK and the fact there's only about 20 years of coal bed methane as an energy source. We think it is better to look at ways of producing more renewable energy now as that is going to have to be done anyway in 20 years time – so why not do it now?"
The drilling would take place on land between Durley Hill and the Keynsham bypass to the south east of the roundabout.
Gerwyn Williams, from UK Methane, agreed that it was important to harness other energy sources but argued that coal bed methane was an important energy option.
He pointed out that a recent report from regulator Ofgem had raised the spectre of an increased risk of power cuts in 2015.
"We (the nation) should be investing in other forms of energy. There is no one source. There are huge tidal resources in the Bristol Channel and wind energy for example, but in the meantime if we don't do something quickly, the Government has announced there will be power cuts after 2015."
The meeting will also see a discussion about projects such as the installation of solar panels on public buildings in Keynsham and the option of hydro-electric power on the River Avon.
Bath MP Don Foster and B&NES Council fear work to extract coal bed methane and shale gas could disturb Bath's hot springs.
Mr Williams said residents' fears were unfounded and that Bath's hot springs would not be affected.
He also said that drilling operation would be low profile.
"People would not see it (the drilling) on that site," he said. "There is a high hedge that you can't see over and the dual carriageway on one side and an A road on the other.
"People are not going to notice it at all."
The meeting takes place on Tuesday, October 23 at the Royal British Legion in Charlton Road, Keynsham from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Comments
I think all the anti fracker - windmilling - solar loons should be connected to a special energy tariff that reflects both the cost of production and the availability of their energy source - given the rather chilly few months that are apparently on the way - I'll keep warm laughing if it can be done :-)
By fusion_wurzel at 20:15 on 30/11/12
ReportAs far as I know natural gas is a much cleaner energy source than coal and is easier and cheaper to extract.So lets get on with it before the lights go out/should boost the local economy as well and create jobs - good news I say.
By lamail at 08:12 on 23/10/12
ReportHere is a link to a quick trailer of the documentary 'GASLAND' which shows the true risks of fracking
http://tinyurl.com/247ndw7
By kushty at 00:51 on 23/10/12
ReportFACTS ON FRACKING!
Source: http://tinyurl.com/6ayu4je
How does hydraulic fracturing work?
Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is a means of natural gas extraction employed in deep natural gas well drilling. Once a well is drilled, millions of gallons of water, sand and proprietary chemicals are injected, under high pressure, into a well. The pressure fractures the shale and props open fissures that enable natural gas to flow more freely out of the well.
What is horizontal hydraulic fracturing?
Horizontal hydrofracking is a means of tapping shale deposits containing natural gas that were previously inaccessible by conventional drilling. Vertical hydrofracking is used to extend the life of an existing well once its productivity starts to run out, sort of a last resort. Horizontal fracking differs in that it uses a mixture of 596 chemicals, many of them proprietary, and millions of gallons of water per frack. This water then becomes contaminated and must be cleaned and disposed of.
What is the Halliburton Loophole?
In 2005, the Bush/ Cheney Energy Bill exempted natural gas drilling from the Safe Drinking Water Act. It exempts companies from disclosing the chemicals used during hydraulic fracturing. Essentially, the provision took the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) off the job. It is now commonly referred to as the Halliburton Loophole.
What is the Safe Drinking Water Act?
In 1974, the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was passed by Congress to ensure clean drinking water free from both natural and man-made contaminates.
What is the FRAC Act?
The FRAC Act (Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness to Chemical Act) is a House bill intended to repeal the Halliburton Loophole and to require the natural gas industry to disclose the chemicals they use.
How deep do natural gas wells go?
The average well is up to 8,000 feet deep. The depth of drinking water aquifers is about 1,000 feet. The problems typically stem from poor cement well casings that leak natural gas as well as fracking fluid into water wells.
How much water is used during the fracking process?
Generally 1-8 million gallons of water may be used to frack a well. A well may be fracked up to 18 times.
What fluids are used in the fracking process?
For each frack, 80-300 tons of chemicals may be used. Presently, the natural gas industry does not have to disclose the chemicals used, but scientists have identified volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene.
In what form does the natural gas come out of the well?
The gas comes up wet in produced water and has to be separated from the wastewater on the surface. Only 30-50% of the water is typically recovered from a well. This wastewater can be highly toxic.
What is done with the wastewater?
Evaporators evaporate off VOCs and condensate tanks steam off VOCs, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The wastewater is then trucked to water treatment facilities.
What is a well's potential to cause air pollution?
As the VOCs are evaporated and come into contact with diesel exhaust from trucks and generators at the well site, ground level ozone is produced. Ozone plumes can travel up to 250 miles.
By kushty at 23:58 on 22/10/12
Report"if we don't do something quickly, the Government has announced there will be power cuts after 2015."
How can UK Methane's Williams boldy say such things? I am sure the government has said no such thing.
AllOfgem warned about was a decrease of SPARE UK production capacity by 2015.
Mr Williams is doing his company no favours. If we can't trust them to tell us the truth how can we ever trust them with the high-risk operation of coal bed methane extraction?
In the Fylde we have seen a fracking company using similar mistruths and distortions to sway public opinion. Let's hope it doesn't continue here in Somerset.
By ragamala at 12:33 on 22/10/12
Report