Fracking
Posted by Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton, Kemptown, at 13:53, Mon 3 October 2011:
Further to constituents who have raised this matter with me, I have already written to the Minister regarding this issue and also please see the below information.
Conventional gas is found in rock formations which allow some degree of passage for the gas. Other kinds of reservoir rocks, like shale, however, require stimulation, such as the use of hydraulic fracturing, before gas can produced. Although this is not a new concept within the oil and gas industry, it is only in the last decade or so that the refinement and widespread application of this technique has allowed for the commercial exploitation of unconventional hydrocarbons, such as the large shale gas deposits in the US.
This has resulted in a dramatic increase in US production of unconventional gas, which now accounts for over 20 per cent of total gas production there. Whether the North American experience can be replicated elsewhere is the subject of much speculation and uncertainty. For example, there are differences in environmental regulations and access to water.
The impact of hydraulic fracturing on the water environment in England and Wales would be assessed on a site-specific basis by the Environment Agency. The Agency would perform this role as a statutory consultee in the planning process, or as part of its consideration of the need for, and response to, an application for an environmental permit. It has its own in-house technical expertise, which is used to support its role in protecting and managing water quality and resources.
The UK has a robust regulatory regime in place to ensure that any environmental risk from these activities would be controlled. Both Government and Environment Agency guidance support this regulatory regime.
I agree that there are uncertainties about the global future for unconventional gas production. I am pleased that the Department of Energy and Climate Change recently sought out views for a wide range of experts on this issue. Based on experience to date in the UK, Ministers do not believe there is a need to modify any formal guidance or regulations, but this will be kept under review.
I hope this is helpful.
Kind regards.
Simon Kirby MP
Comments
If you are subscribed to HearFromYourMP in this constituency,
log in to post a reply.
Otherwise, if you live in the UK,
sign up in order to
HearFromYourMP.
Posted by philip carr, 18:04, Mon 3 October 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #
Its well worth checking out the most recent Private Eye as well on this one. Basically, done properly (we live in hope), these gas explorations are a potentially positive thing. There are however vested interests that would prefer us to remain reliant upon dodgy imported energy so that we may more readily accept the, say, nuclear option. Something worth keeping an eye out for as the debate progresses.