The shale gas controversy: information sources

Identification of relevant information is fundamental to organize any type of assessment exercise, be it through expert review or through participative dynamics, such as deliberation. Collection of information is the first step for developing indicators supporting the evaluation of the different options or scenarios with regards to the performance issues identified.

Information on shale gas exploration and exploitation and its impact is found in news briefs, documentaries, reports and official regulations. The selection below gives the main sources of information we have consulted for this paper.

1. Reports

The International Energy Agency: Are we entering a golden age of gas? Special Report, 20011, 131 p.

The introduction of this study gives a good summary of its perspective:

“The future for natural gas is bright. Demand has experienced a strong post-crisis recovery, while the North American shale gas boom and expansion of LNG trade have made ample supplies available in the near-term and bolstered future gas supply prospects. With mounting concerns over energy security and global climate change, and renewed debate surrounding the future role of nuclear power, these developments merit a deeper investigation of the prospects for, and the implications of, a golden age of natural gas.”

The report focuses mainly on market prospects (supply and demand) and technical aspects. Two sections deal with environmental impacts: Energy-related emissions (pages 37-41) and environmental impact of gas production and transport (pages 60-65). The first of these sections focuses on greenhouse gas emissions (CH4 and CO2 mainly). In the second section, the report underlines the public concerns regarding unconventional gas exploitation, related mainly to water consumption necessary for the fracking technique used for the exploitation of this type of gas, the contamination of the water tables, as well as the higher emission of CH4. It puts emphasis on the existing techniques for mitigating those impacts, and produces the figures of 3.5 to 12% higher emissions in the worst case.

However, the real picture, in terms of social debate, is much larger than those elements. It is necessary to identify who are the stakeholders concerned, and document their concerns and perspectives on costs and benefits of shale gas exploitation.

2. Documentaries

Josh Fox, 2010: Gasland, documentary, 104”. http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/

This documentary, based on interviews with people having allowed shale gas exploitation on their land, and field visits, reflects deep concerns with the exploitation of shale gas in the USA.

Shale gas and America’s future, American Clean Skies Foundation, 30” http://www.shalegasfuture.com/

This documentary presents itself as a balanced state of the debate on shale gas, but defends in fine this option as economically and environmentally sound. It is in fact an answer to the success of Gasland in the USA.

3. Dossiers

Affirming Gasland, July 2010, PDF, 39 p. is a dossier supporting arguments made in the film.

Chemicals in Natural Gas Operations http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/chemicals.introduction.php

Marine Jobert François Veillerette: Le Vrai scandale des gaz de schiste, éditions Les liens qui libèrent, 2011.

4. Press releases and articles

European Unconventional Commercial Gas Potential Rivals North America, IHS CERA Study Says, Press Release, March 9^th, 2011

“Regulation Lax as Gas Wells’ Tainted Water Hits Rivers”, New-York Times, February 26, 2011.

5. Position statements

Conclusions & Proposals – Workshop Marseilles – March 16^th, 2012

Against fracking and shale gas, let’s build a European international movement!

Food & Water Watch, ATTAC and others.

This is a declaration of different social movements and civil society organizations against the exploitation on shale gas.

Food & Water Europe, Friends of the Earth Europe, Greenpeace, Health & Environment Alliance, 2012: Position statement on shale gas, shale oil, coal bed methane and”fracking”