French Government has granted permission for the exploration of shale gas plays across the whole country without any local consultation. Indeed, french laws do not provide for residents to be consulted to do so. The problem is that local populations felt caught off guard. This is particularly true that those permits were granted by the end of 2009, a few months before the coming out of the polemical film Gasland.
According to the IEA (International Energy Agency), as far as shale gas represents a very recent energy that is not well known, a local consultation was necessary for residents to be aware and to discuss the terms of the exploration contracts.
Moving to shale gas is not a decision to take without thinking. It has huge consequences not only in terms of energy policy mix but also in terms of industry and so of local environment. The well itself is not the problem, it is rather the infrastructure needed to transport the gas and the direct consequences of fracking.
Recent studies show that that shale gas’ exploitation can be environmentally questionable, but there is no consensus about it. We definitely lack of deep and relevant information. The only thing we can be sure of is that we cannot have, for the moment, an independent and a precise idea of all the impacts.
Let’s try to see what are the arguments of each stakeholder in the debate on local impact.
As we have said, local populations want to be heard and involved in the debate. They denounce a failure in the legislative system.
Most of the arguments put forward by local populations are related to hydraulic fracturing rather than to shale gas itself. Their claims have been heard since the government has forbid the use of fracking in July 2011.
On water pollution
The fracking technique is considered as a catastrophe in terms of ecology and health. Local anti-shale gas movements question the impact of the chemicals used for fracking on ground water and so on health.
Furthermore, they denounce the opacity of the composition of the fluids pumped during fracking as far as each company has its own one. But there have been advances in that domain, since companies now agree to disclose their recipe.
On waste of water
In addition they criticize the amounts of water used for fracking: 15,000 to 20,000 m3 are required and the operation has to be renewed every 4 or 6 months. In south regions often threatened by droughts, water is a crucial point.
On visual pollution
The main argument put forward concerning shale gas concerns the industry around it. Local populations fear for their activities. It appears that shale gas were mainly located in south France, where economic activities are essentially based on tourism and where efforts have been made to protect and optimize landscapes. They see shale gas industry as a huge threat: a lack for their business.
A group of economic intelligence experts (AEGE), has published a document untitled: The interest of shale gas in the case of France – critical analysis of the debate around shale gas. We cannot conceal the fact that the AEGE has been commissioned by TOTAL. What certainly explains that the critical analysis is maybe not has objective has it pretend to be. Nevertheless, the report is a good approach of the arguments put forward by gas and fuel companies concerning shale gas local impacts.
On water pollution
First, in order to protect ground water and to respect the legislation, the part of well that is in contact with water is insulated thanks to one or two casings. The watertightness of the well is ensured. Extraction procedures are absolutely reliable. They respond to international norms and do not accept any kind of porosity. Furthermore, there are several hundred meters separating water tables and fracking.
Then, a large majority of the water and the additives used for fracking are collected and transport to purification. The water can be reused for another hydraulic fracturing.
Concerning the composition of fluid they explain that the chemical additives enable to avoid any bacterial activity inside the well, and facilitate water to drain away. Furthermore, companies are working at the moment on substitutes to chemical additives in order to replace them by products used in the food processing industry.
On methane emissions
Shale gas is nothing else but methane, so it is totally insoluble in water. The natural methane production on earth due to vegetal, animals, etc, is largely more important than the one that could be eventually induced by shale gas extraction.
On geological consequences
Many geological studies are conducted in order to determine the potential areas where shale gas extraction could represent any kind of seismic risk. Shale gas exploitation does not imply lack of control or analysis or scientific rationality.
On local employment
Shale gas should be seen as an economic opportunity for the concerned areas. It is an industry, which will create a lot of jobs. It has to be taken into account, especially when France’s unemployment rate exceeds 10%.
