Saturday 28 September 2013

Living is easy with eyes closed......................

In the past week 20,000 frack sites and oil and gas installations have been destroyed by massive flooding in Colorado. The implications must be obvious to all. 20 inspectors for 50,000 frack sites. Go figure.

See the short video report ( under 3 minutes ) here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75h8Ilma8JI&feature=em-share_video_user

Never mind, in the UK they are 'certain' that fracking can be done safely ( never any floods there are there! ) and the upcoming Commission report here ( November ) is believed to say the same for France.

Hot enough?

So just why are we pushing so hard to burn yet one more fossil fuel?

Click the link to decipher the riddle: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/sep/27/ipcc-world-dangerous-climate-change

Friday 27 September 2013

'Natural Gas' installations - aerial views. The reality.

Have you ever wondered just what so called 'natural' gas / fracking operations might look like from the air?

Click here to see the reality :http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/chemicals.photos.php

We feel that image number 14 ( btm left of the page ) might make a really nice desktop image / screensaver.

Thursday 26 September 2013

WATER - Just imagine..................

It is sometimes difficult to envisage the sheer volumes of water that will be transported, contaminated and then either laid to evaporate onto the surrounding countryside or re-injected back into the frack 'hole' after each frack operation. In 'Blackpool' the operation there deployed and spoilt over 2 Billion litres. Hard to imagine is it not. If that is hard to imagine, try this for size:https://twitter.com/sandyd68/status/382762311187824640/photo/1

That is correct. 

'If fracking is allowed in New York State, the wastewater generated is equal to the water volume cascading over Niagara Falls for 35 straight hours. So, imagine standing in front of Niagara Falls for 35 hours. Now imagine that all the cascading water you see is radioactive and full of toxic chemicals, and your job is to figure out where to put it so that it won't come in contact with any person or any other body or water or the soil or the air. FOREVER.'

Sandra Steingraber Phd.

Wednesday 18 September 2013

Fracking in UK - significant risks to livestock and food chain.

Today we break our rule ( hey, we make the rules around here!! ) and feature a report in today's Independent (The) newspaper regarding conclusive research carried out by Cornell University's Professor Robert Oswald relating to serious and significant risks to UK livestock and therefore the food chain based on findings in six US states.

The Independent - Tuesday, 17th September 2013

'Fracking sparks food safety concern as expert warns of serious risk to livestock'

"Professor Robert Oswald says his findings of deaths and deformities in American livestock are so alarming that Britain should halt the practice 'until its impact is fully assessed."

"Fracking for gas and oil in the British countryside poses such a significant risk to livestock that a moratorium should be imposed on the industry until its impact on food safety can be assessed, a leading researcher has warned."

Read the report by clicking this link: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/fracking-sparks-food-safety-concern-as-expert-warns-of-serious-risk-to-livestock-8822746.html?printService=print


Editors note: 

Please refer to our recent article gving specific details of the type and amount of chemicals typically deployed in fracking - and be apalled.

Note also, our earlier report where we mention the concern expressed by the French Agriculture Minister relating to the possible effect upon the food chain.

Saturday 14 September 2013

US - Draft FRAC Act before Congress.

Today we read of a draft FRAC Act currently before Congress seeking to................

a. Require disclosure of the chemical constituents used in the fracturing process, but not the proprietary formula.

b. Repeal a provision added ( by the Bush Administration ) to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 exempting the industry from complying with the Safe Drinking Water Act ( SWDA), one of America's landmark environmental and public health statutes.

We wish them well and wonder if a similar disclosure clause might be introduced in mainland Europe. Ed.

Read the full report here: http://degette.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&id=1056:degette-hinchey-and-polis-introduce-frac-act-to-ensure-safe-drilling&catid=76:press-releases-&Itemid=227

French anti-fracking law faces uncertain future....................

Hydraulic fracturing is banned in France - for now. Read here how the law (loi Jacob - July 2011) may face an uncertain future and how we may all soon be back at the barricades ( click the link ) : http://www.english.rfi.fr/france/20130913-gaslands-director-toursfrance-anti-fracking-law-faces-uncertain-future

Friday 13 September 2013

A primer on the rapid decline in production of fracked oil - and gas.



" Back to the question of whether hydraulic fracturing could help export energy from the US. Sounds fine except for the small matter of  - depletion.

Fracked wells age very quickly. The initial production is very high and so is the rate of depletion. The point is, a newly fracked well may produce 1,000 barrels per day, but this falls by sixty per cent the next year, thirty five by the third and fifteen per cent by the fourth. Oil/gas companies should replace forty to forty five percent of the current production each year to maintain/increase production. For now at least, the number of wells and cost of production can keep pace with profits because of the higher oil prices. But what happens when the price comes down? The depletion rates will make the wells non-viable and the search for new supplies will continue elsewhere. Roughly, the US ( for example ) will need more than 9,000 wells at more than $50 billion to counterbalance the declines.

The number of operating wells in the US has been increasing rapidly while the corresponding productivity ( considering all the wells in the US ) has declined. There are about 9,000 wells in North Dakota ( analysts expect the number to go up to 50,000 by 2030 ). The state produced more than 800,000 barrels of oil per day in May, a new record. This averages 89 b/d from each well in N.Dakota, hence the need to constantly add new wells in order to maintain a sustainable level of output. The parallel implication for fracked gas is clear. Ed.

Also, in the case of Bakken, the wells are cheaper compared to the deepwater offshore wells but cost three times those of conventional wells. This is because the wells must be drilled vertically for a distance of nearly two miles, then angled to hroizontal like the branches of a tree to more than three miles......................."

Thank you for this piece to our contributor 'Bob'. Ed. 

Read the full article by clicking the link below....................

http://www.oil-price.net/en/articles/shale-high-depletion-rates-in-bakken.php

Bakken's high depletion rates means more drilling, more often. Shale: High depletion rates in Bakken By STEVE AUSTIN for OIL-PRICE.NET, 2013/09/04 If you can, you could term it delusion, the theory that Shale gas is the answer to all problems in terms of energy. Just extract the gas, ship it across the pipeline and export the excess, or so goes the popular theory (boom. How easy!). Let's call this 'Sale for Energy Security Theory' or SEST) If you believe in SEST, here's a simple task for you: Take a towel or cloth soaked in water. Wring it. Note the amount of water that comes out. Now, wring it again. Okay, once more. How many drops of water did you get in the third time? Two, three? This is precisely what's happening in the Bakken. Imagine that there aren't buckets of oil underneath the Bakken but towels soaked with oil. And it is only recently that we figured out the technique called "fracking": how to wring a towel full of oil. The first time oil companies twist the towel, a stream of oil comes dripping out. Success! Then second time around, surprise: just a few drops, and the third time and subsequent times... nothing. This is what high depletion rates mean and this is what is happening.















Bakken's high depletion rates means more drilling, more often. And this is precisely what will happen with fracked gas. More derricks, more trucks, more noise, more airborne methane and more toxic chemicals pumped into the ground.

Shale: High depletion rates in Bakken By STEVE AUSTIN for OIL-PRICE.NET, 2013/09/04


If you can, you could term it delusion, the theory that Shale gas is the answer to all problems in terms of energy. Just extract the gas, ship it across the pipeline and export the excess, or so goes the popular theory (boom. How easy!). Let's call this 'Sale for Energy Security Theory' or SEST)
If you believe in SEST, here's a simple task for you: Take a towel or cloth soaked in water. Wring it. Note the amount of water that comes out. Now, wring it again. Okay, once more. How many drops of water did you get in the third time? Two, three? This is precisely what's happening in the Bakken. Imagine that there aren't buckets of oil underneath the Bakken but towels soaked with oil. And it is only recently that we figured out the technique called "fracking": how to wring a towel full of oil. The first time oil companies twist the towel, a stream of oil comes dripping out. Success! Then second time around, surprise: just a few drops, and the third time and subsequent times... nothing. This is what high depletion rates mean and this is what is happening.

Thursday 12 September 2013

Energy giants feeling threatened by renewables.

We read today how European energy giants such as GDF Suez, Enal, Gas Terra Dutch and others are feeling threatened by the steady expansion of renewable sources including wind and solar and how they have been appealing to the EU to severely limit its support. Of course they have. They represent dirty 'traditional' sources for which the future is far from unclear.

Read the report here: http://alalumieredunouveaumonde.blogspot.fr/ . 

Or here in English: http://www.photon.info/photon_news_detail_en.photon?id=80471

Depressing is it not?

Saturday 7 September 2013

FRANCE - focus

With our next post we shall return to all matters Gaz de Schiste 'en France' and technical/data based articles relating to fracking from around the world. UK coverage is aplenty elsewhere and those in need of factual back up may return to our recent feature on the chemicals deployed ( see post of 27th August - click 'Older posts' at the foot of this page ) and of course our comprehensive treatise - A Dozen Devastating Denials which may be accessed with just one click on our Home Page at www.schistehappens.com. and which will provide you with answers to just about any fracking related issue.

In the meantime, we await the final report of the Commission of Inquiry set up under the terms of the loi Jacob of July 2011 and charged with investigating alternative methods to fracking. We understand that the report is likely to find that the process can be carried out 'safely' so no surprises there. Also, we await the ruling of the Constitutional Council on the challenge to the loi Jacob deeming it 'unconstitutional' and President Hollande's response. Both in October we understand.


Thursday 5 September 2013

Ed Davey ( who?!) says fracking not evil.

UK Minister Ed Davey has declared that fracking 'is not evil'.

Read the article here: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/sep/05/fracking-not-evil-ed-davey

At the close of the article a survey revealed that of those polled ( UK ) 77% said that they 'knew nothing or little at all' about the fracking process. We wonder why.

Excellent UK made documentary dealing with the FACTS.

If you are in any doubt whatsoever about what the eventual outcomes might be from fracking do please watch the following UK made documentary dealing with the results in the USA. Coming to a venue near you soon.........................unless you stop it of course.

Click the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEB_Wwe-uBM

Of the 5 million gallons of fluid used to frack each single well, 75,000 are toxic ( and usually secret ) chemicals. Radon gas and radium are now believed to be released routinely during the process in certain areas. Hard to believe? Watch the video.

UK - Wakey, wakey.....................


We are surprised and yet, we are not surprised.

The Daily Mail ( yes, the Daily Mail! ) reported yesterday that the DCLG ( Department for Communities and Local Government) is to 'allow fracking companies to frack horizontally under people's homes without telling them, if Government plans go ahead'

WHY does this come as a surprise to people? Anyone who has spent even 30 mins seriously researching the fracking process via the Internet ( as opposed to watching pointless debates on TV and absorbing biased press reports )  will know that the horizontal aspect is that which makes it all viable for the oil and gas companies in the first place. Horizontal fracking takes place over a distance of several kilometres and it is normal to frack radially ie in several directions centred on the main vertical well over time as gas bearing seams become exhausted.

We are amazed. This is what the fuss ( or should have been ) has been about from the very outset. Even now, there are those who pointedly resist watching 'that film' ( by which they mean the excellent GASLAND  documentary by producer Josh Fox. The film has been around for over three years and tells all and GASLAND P2 is shortly to be released here in mainland Europe. Full version of the original movie can be seen here on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phCibwj396I There really is no excuse for not knowing what is involved and the widespread ignorance and 'confusion' in the UK resulting from even a cursory study of the basics of the fracking process is one of the reasons why George Osborne et al have been able to steal up on the population and take them by surprise.

If you have ANY questions about the process itself, you will find them answered here...............

http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/whats-fracking  This is an excellent page of FACTS.

Other descriptions include...................http://www.eawag.ch/medien/publ/fb/doc/fb_fracking_e.pdf

and.................. http://shalestuff.com/education/fracking/fracking

There really is no excuse for not knowing the basic procedure. THIS is why we have all been so excited from Day 1 ( here in Europe, from late 2010 ).

Oh, by the way, here is the Daily Mail article ( E&OE! ).

Read the article here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2410694/Fracking-firms-drill-homes-telling-owners-Green-groups-fury-horizontal-drilling-plans.html



Wednesday 4 September 2013

UK - Balcombe. Surprise, surprise...............

Pretty well as we forecast....................


BBC News reported on 3rd September 2013, 16.54 GMT that 'Oil Exploration on hold after fracking protest'

Pretty much as we predicted, after a policing cost ( in total ) of £3.7 million, scores of abstentions by local police ( the picture lower down the page is of police from the 'Met' ), weeks of disruption for the village and no doubt a less than profitable exercise for those nice people at Cuadrilla.....................
'...........exploration will cease in a village at the centre of an anti-fracking campaign by the end of September after plans to extend the current work were withdrawn'.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-23944344

So, it's back to the drawing board lads. Perhaps a little bit of careful thought on the part of UK Prime Minister 'Dave Cameron' and his pals in the 'dirty' industry might have (easily ) forseen this mess.

And this is just the first real example of what happens when Middle England finally gets excited.

Well done to all those who inconvenienced themselves ( residents, mums with kids,MPs, celebrities and yes, even the so called 'activists' who care more for the environment than money). Government can try to force this sort of thing on communities, it can waste millions on irrelevant policing, tell local authorities to 'ignore protest' but in the final analysis........

Monday 2 September 2013

France - two things...............

Quick reminder that here in France, although President Hollande has given his word that there will be no fracking for the duration of his period of office, October will see the publication of the final report of the Commission established under the terms of the loi Jacob of July 2011 charged with researching alternative methods to fracking. We expect them to report that fracking can be carried out 'safely'.

Also in October, we can expect the verdict of the Constitutional Council on a recent challenge to the legitimacy of the loi Jacob. Of course, if it is ultimately deemed 'unconstitutional' it is by no means certain that this will affect Monsieur le President's stance.

We will report both items here at Schiste Towers in due course.

Finally, we understand that film-maker and shale gas campaigner JOSH FOX will visit France on the 5th and 7th September to promote/launch GASLAND - 2 in Europe. Details as we have them.

Sunday 1 September 2013

'To a venue near you soon Dave.........'

Our closing remark in our very last blog and then what do we find in our copy of The Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Times but this...........................

Click the link below to see just how close the frackers could come to the man who would wish it on much of rural England.

Read the article here: http://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/10638819.Fracking_could_come_to_the_Cotswolds_within_two_years/?ref=erec

Maybe he thinks that it really is of little consequence. We spoke to one noble Lord recently for instance who assured us that 'they' would never frack under his house. He clearly did not understand the horizontal nature of the process.