Fracking: Environmental concerns
This event provides an overview of environmental and other factors which should be considered as part of the planning application processes, to ensure that potential future fracking activities are carried out in a sustainable manner in the North West of England.
Ticket information
This event is free to attend for LACL and BRMF members.
This event is £190+VAT to attend for non-members.
When?
20 May 2015
Background
Hydraulic fracturing (better known as fracking) has received media attention in past months, following the UK government encouraging ‘safe and environmentally sound exploration’ to determine exploitable shale gas reserves.
Three energy companies in the North West have been granted permission to explore at sites with shale gas reserves. Cuadrilla, the region's main player, has licenses to test drill at six sites and estimates the shale gas reserves in Lancashire alone are worth £140bn.
Much attention has been focused on the issues surrounding the trespass beneath homes by horizontal drilling, micro-fracturing and potential for earthquakes or sink holes. In addition, there has been further discussion on the potential of contamination of water supplies.
The technology also uses of large volumes of water which could impact supply and chemical additives to facilitate gas flow, that will need to be removed or remediated. Soil arisings may become contaminated by some of these additives. These are issues which need to considered in assessing applications which will require mitigation plans to be presented.
This event provides an overview of environmental factors which should be considered as part of the planning application processes, to ensure that potential future fracking activities are carried out at low impact to the environment.
Who should attend?
-
Local authorities
- Clients
- Consultants.
Required level of knowledge
There is no required level of knowledge required as part of this course.
Programme
09:45am Registration
10:15am Fracking – an introduction to the processes involved, how it varies from conventional hydrocarbon extraction methods, addressing misconceptions associated with the activity and identifying key environmental concerns.
11:00am Monitoring – establishing baseline conditions prior to well development and designing appropriate and robust monitoring schemes to allow any contamination to be identified and remediated quickly and efficiently.
11:45am Refreshments
12:00pm Volumes of water required – it is important that to identify water requirements and sustainable sources to meet this requirement, throughout the life time of the wells.
12:45pm Lunch
01:45pm Contaminants and risks to groundwater – discussion around the contaminants used during the fracking process. This addresses their mobility, persistence and toxicity in the environment.
02:30pm Uncontrolled gas release- a discussion around small and large scale pathways which could allow methane and other gases to migrate from the extraction wells to surrounding receptors, with potentially hazardous effects.
03:00pm Land reclamation and restoration plans – issues surrounding land reclamation following fracking activities at a site, highlighting the need for thorough restoration plans at the planning application stage.
04:00pm Summary and conclusions
04:15pm Close
Where?
Manchester - venue to be confirmed.
Booking
If you are unable to book online, please contact Patrick Williams on 0207 549 3308
0207 549 3308 or return the booking form by post or fax.