Science & Data
Below are resources which detail the scientific evidence justifying concerns about fracking. We are currently in the process of scrutinising information relating to Somerset and will upload our research as soon as possible.
Medical Impact
- Health and Fracking – the impacts and opportunity costs – A link to the Medact (health professionals for a safer, fairer and better world) Report
Environmental Impact
- Cracks in the Facade – Water Contamination – Fractures can extend for 2500 ft and frequently to 1000ft, and can spread to neighbouring wells.
- Methane contamination of water, April 2011 – Shows very large increase of Methane up to 1km from active wells with concentrations high enough to be an explosive hazard. Heightened methane levels also found up to 4.5km from inactive wells.
- Fracking contribution to truck traffic – Trucking stats suggest that transportation related to fracking could account for 4.5% of US truck loads and 26% of tank loads
- Air samples reveals high emissions from fracking – Air samples near Denver suggest as much as 4% of methane may be leaking from fracking sites.
- Frac Focus – Chemical disclosure registry – Texas drilling operators will have to provide this site with details of chemicals and water used (starting Feb 2012)
- Chartered Institute of Environmental Health report on fracking risks An independent assessment that highlights major shortcomings of the regulatory framework; the large potential for UK shale gas exploitation to undermine the UK’s efforts to tackle climate change; the water intensive nature of fracking could cause local water shortages; the complete lack of evidence behind claims that shale gas will bring down UK energy costs
- EU report on the risks to the environment and human health of fracking A very detailed report into the risks and adequacy of current EU legislation to address these risks. A high risk of surface and groundwater contamination is identified across all the stages of shale gas exploration and drilling.
Climate Change
- Greenhouse gas footprint of shale gas – Shows that shale gas has from 20% to 100% greater contribution to GHG than coal over a 20 year period, and similar effectover 100 year period. Methane leakage during production is 30% to 100% more than conventional gas.
- 2010 CO2 emissions a record high
- An assessment of climate change and environmental impacts – Tyndall Centre, Nov 2011
Economic Perspective
- A first look at EU shale gas prospects. Deutsche Bank Oct 2011 – Assessment suggests more limiting factors and higher cost in Europe than in USA so will not have nearly as significant in impact on gas prices. UK break-even costs approx twice that of US European Gas.
- Fracking boom likely to be a bubble. Huffington Post, Jan 2012
- Analysis of UK Energy policy and role of Shale Gas exploitation from Economist Intelligence Unit May 2014 ‘If the UK wants to permanently reduce its fossil fuel import dependence and vulnerability to future price shocks, then the priority must be to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels in the first place. .’
Geology, Licensing
Health and Community
- Breast cancer links to shale gas extraction – Links cancer rates to states where shale gas extraction is prevalent
- Fractured Communities – Case studies of environmental impacts
A detailed look at some of the effects of gas drilling on environment, communities and health. Based on investigations, findings, and statements of state and federal regulators. - A compendium of the US experience of risks to human health from fracking A fully referenced compilation of the significant body of scientific, medical and journalistic findings demonstrating risks and harms of fracking.
- A summary of risks and hazards from Food and Water Watch
- Health and Fracking: the impacts and opportunity costs. Medact (Health Professionals For a Safer, Fairer and Better World) report.
Political