5.2 Background
DECC (2015) delineates hydraulic fracking as an unconventional method of extracting natural gas reserves situated in shale rock. Fracking for shale gas occurs in fractured rock sediments when pressurized liquid (water and additives) and sand are ingested at high pressure through wells to crack shale rocks sediments (Evensen, Jacquet, Clarke & Stedman, 2014). The most commonly extracted shale gas is methane gas even though other secondary gases may also be present (American Petroleum Institute [API], 2009).
The flow of water and additives in and out of the wells occurs in a continuous cycle throughout the lifespan of the well (EPA 2011), with the flow back fluid consisting of a mixture of methane, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxides, …show more content…
In the United Kingdom, the Scottish government has also appended indefinite moratorium on hydraulic fracking. The English government in contrast is considering hydraulic fracking based on compliance with certain statutory regulatory requirements as a substitute for total prohibition (Bakewell, 2012). The Royal Society of London [RS] (2012) reports that UK national parks and other national designated sites are excluded from shale gas exploration activities regardless of the amount shale gas deposit …show more content…
Before the commencement of the exploratory drilling activities in the UK, a completed comprehensive environmental impact assessment is summited to the Environmental Agency of England, Northern Ireland Environmental Agency (NIEA) and the Natural Resources Wales before an environmental permits is approved and issued as illustrated in figure (2) below (DECC, 2013; PHE,
DECC (2015) delineates hydraulic fracking as an unconventional method of extracting natural gas reserves situated in shale rock. Fracking for shale gas occurs in fractured rock sediments when pressurized liquid (water and additives) and sand are ingested at high pressure through wells to crack shale rocks sediments (Evensen, Jacquet, Clarke & Stedman, 2014). The most commonly extracted shale gas is methane gas even though other secondary gases may also be present (American Petroleum Institute [API], 2009).
The flow of water and additives in and out of the wells occurs in a continuous cycle throughout the lifespan of the well (EPA 2011), with the flow back fluid consisting of a mixture of methane, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxides, …show more content…
In the United Kingdom, the Scottish government has also appended indefinite moratorium on hydraulic fracking. The English government in contrast is considering hydraulic fracking based on compliance with certain statutory regulatory requirements as a substitute for total prohibition (Bakewell, 2012). The Royal Society of London [RS] (2012) reports that UK national parks and other national designated sites are excluded from shale gas exploration activities regardless of the amount shale gas deposit …show more content…
Before the commencement of the exploratory drilling activities in the UK, a completed comprehensive environmental impact assessment is summited to the Environmental Agency of England, Northern Ireland Environmental Agency (NIEA) and the Natural Resources Wales before an environmental permits is approved and issued as illustrated in figure (2) below (DECC, 2013; PHE,