Rethinking arguments against fracking

Environmentalists are clear about their opposition to fracking. It is better to ban the process entirely instead of treading into unknown territory only to end up with a mistake that could pollute other valuable resources.

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In some parts of the globe where oil supply is abundant, however, hydraulic fracturing is already widely accepted and the energy industry forges ahead without much opposition. The benefits of accepting the process with proper regulations are also becoming clearer with explorations of underground shale gas reserves underway. In using a proven method to harvest this resource, many countries have a chance at creating more jobs and increasing energy security.

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Still, it would take time before many countries can lift their moratoriums on fracking. More studies and examples would have to be presented to convince the majority that the process can be used without dire consequences for the environment.

Meanwhile, many nations are already looking at the US for models in regulating fracking. Many are worried about whether fracking can be done safely and about how such an outcome can be achieved. To answer these concerns, experts maintain that the way to reap the economic benefits of hydraulic fracturing and large-scale oil and gas production without adversely affecting the environment and the health of the people is through strict regulation which can be formulated through the cooperation of industry experts and environmental groups.

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Dr. Ali Ghalambor has previously served as the head consultant to more than 50 petroleum production and service companies. Stay abreast on the developments in the energy industry by following this Twitter page.

Fracking regulations: Balancing economic growth and environmental protection

The use of hydraulic fracturing for high-volume oil and gas production presents the nation with large opportunities that may come with dire consequences to the state of the environment.

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For one thing, pursuing developments in this area of the energy industry could generate thousands of jobs. Meanwhile, the abundant supply of domestically produced oil and gas can be used to offer alternatives that could help them recover faster from the effects of the recession. There may also be more than enough supply, thus opening up opportunities for export.

However, those who oppose the use of fracking to produce natural gas point out that the effects of the process are still unclear. Many studies need to be conducted to determine the health and environmental impact of fracking because many fear that it could cause pollution and it may significantly deplete water resources.

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While the debate goes on, lawmakers in Illinois have gone ahead with a measure to create strict regulations for high-volume oil and gas drilling. The legislation was created through collaboration between some key players in the energy industry and an environmental group.

Strict regulations are seen as a way for the energy industry to move ahead and take advantage of the opportunity presented by the abundant supply of natural gas in several areas while taking measures to protect the environment and the health of the people.

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Dr. Ali Ghalambor is the author, co-author, and editor of several books and more than 160 technical articles and manuals that discuss various aspects of petroleum production. Find more updates on the developments in the energy industry on this Twitter page.

New rules for fracking on public lands

The US Department of the Interior has recently released an updated draft proposal for a new set of rules that would govern hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas on public lands. This update on the proposal drafted about a year ago is reported to be a part of the Obama Administration’s all-of-the-above strategy to support safe and responsible domestic energy production.

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The update on the draft proposal has kept the three main components of the proposal in 2012. Operators still need to: disclose the chemicals they use in fracturing activities on public lands, run well-bore integrity tests to make sure that the fluids used during operations don’t contaminate groundwater, and have a water management plan to ensure that fluids that flow back to the surface are handled properly.

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While the proposal is still subject to a 30-day public comment period, however, it has already drawn the ire of environmentalist groups for the allowances it gives to operators. With the new rule, operators have the option to keep some components (such as proprietary compounds) secret, and well-integrity tests can be done on a representative well instead of all wells in the field.

In light of the criticism, the Interior maintains that the new proposal ensures that best practices will be used to ensure steady development in the industry while protecting human health and the environment. And while several groups oppose the use of fracking, the fact still remains that it has been done safely for decades and that it has great potential in significantly increasing domestic resources and improving the economy.

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Dr. Ali Ghalambor has delivered numerous technical presentations on various aspects of petroleum production such as drilling, well completion, well planning, and well integrity. For more updates on policies affecting the energy industry, follow this Twitter page.

The road to clean air and energy self-sufficiency

So much has been said about the development of the energy industry in the US, particularly with the growth of the shale gas industry. The boom in natural gas supplies could usher in accelerated growth of the economy as the industries that heavily use the resource could benefit greatly from lower costs.

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Meanwhile, protests from environmentalists have also been trying to block further efforts to take advantage of the shale gas revolution as there are dangers present in the haphazard growth of the industry, which could reverse whatever progress the nation has had in environmental protection and battling climate change.

President Obama has made it clear that he wants to pursue an ‘all of the above’ energy strategy – a strategy that focuses on both the growth of clean energy and the development of domestic oil and gas resources.

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The problem is that such strategy does not seem to be feasible. Sacrifices will have to be made in favor of one agenda over another. If clean air is the priority, then efforts made for the development of the shale gas could be hindered.

Experts and analysts, however, have noted that there may still be an option that takes both sides of the debate into account and will result in better outcomes. Good regulation seems to be the key to the conundrum, and it will take high standards and regulation, the participation of environmental groups in policy-making, and the strict compliance of those involved in the energy industry to ensure that shale gas development remains sustainable.

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Tightening the rules on the operations of companies in the shale gas industry may be seen as a hindrance but, ultimately, it is necessary to ensure upward development that is safe and non-hazardous to the environment.

This Twitter account for Dr. Ali Ghalambor shares the latest developments in the shale gas industry.

Regulation and the growth of the shale gas industry

There are two sides to the coin in the development and growth of the shale gas industry. On one side, there are plenty opportunities for the growth of the economy, ushered in by the boons granted by an upsurge in the nation’s supplies for natural gas. As covered in previous entries, this advantage may give the US enough leverage to influence the global oil market and promote free-market principles.

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On the other side, there are the protests against the extraction of natural gas as the process used could do more harm to the environment than continued dependence on fossil fuels. Environmentalists argue that, because natural gas is mostly methane, if a lot of it escapes into the atmosphere, then it could trap much more heat in.

Fracking wells are known to leak and there are no conclusive studies yet that prove that the leakage amount is small enough not to affect the atmosphere and the climate. But even if it is indeed a small amount, the speedy growth of the industry could change the situation drastically.

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This is why experts argue that the shale gas industry could do much more with strict regulations in place. As shown by a pact made for fuel drilling in Pennsylvania, environmentalists have some conditions for the energy industry, and a cooperative relationship can indeed be achieved.

With the growth of the industry, it is important to put certain restrictions in place to direct the movement toward positive outcomes instead of continuing to do things haphazardly. The difference between the rules currently in place and better regulation isn’t very large, however, and with combined efforts of the industry, the government, and the citizens, better outcomes for the natural gas boom can be achieved.

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