Penn state brings fracking debate to a head
Fines and rulings by Pennsylvania's Department of Environment Protection regarding hydraulic rock fracturing has led to calls for greater transparency on additives used.
After the suspension of EOG Resources Inc's natural gas drilling operations last month by the US state's DEP, after a well blowout, key exploration service companies are talking for greater dialogue on hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking'.
The practice, which is used in oil and gas exploration to fracture rock surrounding wells using additives fired under high hydraulic pressure, has caused concern amongst health safety and environment groups. They have repeatedly called for greater transparency regarding the additives used, stating possible issues of contamination of water tables where fracking is used.
With concerns in the industry that regulation is imminent, and warnings from Department of Environmental Protection Secretary, John Hanger, there appears to be an increasing willingness amongst operators to reveal the 'secrets' of fracking fluids which, they state, have a benign impact on the environment. The Penn. rulings, cost EOG more than $350,000 in fines, although operations were allowed to restart. However, Fort-Worth-based Range Resources Corp has said it will disclose the chemical additives its uses for gas well fracking with immediate effect. The move was welcomed by local environmental groups.
Oklahoma has also weighed in with support for the process, however a fascinating Philadelphia enquirer interview with the man credited with inventing fracking, George P. Mitchell, suggests that, while he believes the process is safe, more environmentally friendly alternatives should be sought for some of the chemicals used as well as a greater drive for broader global sustainability.
