Shale Gas Well
At K last month, more than a few exhibitors cited North America’s shale gas phenomenon as a key factor that has the potential to overshadow Europe’s competitiveness in the global race. The good news is that we’re by no means stuck in the stalls, if overall K Show opinion is to be believed; markets and demand, it seems, remain strong in Europe’s plastics sector.
We’ve known for some time now that Europe could hold great potential for self-sufficiency if shale gas is tapped into. Would our chemical and processing industries also gain a noticeable competitive edge if we had access to local, plentiful resources for years to come?
In the UK, public opinion is shifting in favour of exploring our shale gas resources despite fracking being blamed for causing earth tremors in Blackpool two years ago. On the Continent, opinion is mixed. Most of Eastern Europe has traditionally swayed in favour of exploration, which is no surprise, as Poland is thought to have the greatest overall potential for shale gas.
Earlier this year, Romania lifted a moratorium on shale gas exploration, as speculators have suggested that the country may have access to enough resources to meet demand for a hundred years.
On the ground however, it was a different story. No sooner had US giant Chevron sent in a convoy of trucks to begin its agreed exploration drilling in the Romanian village of Pungesti last month, than the local community rallied round and formed a blockade of the proposed site. Following intervention from the Church and even violence, Chevron suspended its plans to drill.
In Western Europe, France is thought to have the largest potential for shale gas resources, according to US test drilling back in 2011. However, due to a combination of environmental concerns, and France currently being largely dependent on nuclear resources, the country has since imposed a ban on hydraulic fracking. This is despite France’s own Parliamentary Office for the Evaluation of Scientific and Technological Choices supporting further research, pointing out that at least 45 hydraulic fracking tests have been carried out already in France without harmful environmental consequences.
But in industry, there are fears that we may be missing a trick. According to the EC’s recent report concluding its public consultation, which bears the (not-too-subtle) title of "Unconventional fossil fuels (e.g. shale gas) in Europe", more than 50% of individual respondents argued that shale gas could enhance Europe’s competitiveness, and could also lead to increases in technical innovation. On the latter point, 80% of European academic institutions agree, as do roughly 80% of national authorities.
It seems pretty clear that the majority of voices support a European exploration into shale gas, in the name of competitiveness and innovation.
The EC report also explored the factors restricting further exploration in shale gas, using a survey that included 18 potential issues, such as impact on water, air and soil quality, climate risks and biodiversity. But these very valid concerns were overshadowed by the overwhelming response: quite simply, 'lack of public acceptance'.
This frustratingly vague answer might be explained by yet more EC stats, which show that before exploration goes ahead, both the public and national authorities would like to see the establishment of an information exchange, as well as guidance on best practice – so this, if the EC is to be believed, is what stands in the way of shale gas exploration.
And the good news is, it seems like such measures are already under way.
Just two days ago, at the time of writing, Water UK, the representative body for the UK’s private and waste-water firms published comprehensive research, showing that there are no risks to domestic water supplies from fracking.
Of course, this research only addresses fracking in the UK, and the specific concerns surrounding water contamination. But it is a step towards what’s required – my only hope is that more agencies follow suit quickly – when competitiveness is described in terms of a ‘global race’, it means just that!
That’s not to undermine the importance of environmental study. The recent tragedy in the Philippines has of course drawn speculation that carbon emissions are responsible. But bear in mind that in America already, statistics are showing that the switch to natural gas has reduced carbon-dioxide emissions by an estimated 12% (between 2005-2012).
If this goal is achieved, the final obstacle, which will be particularly prevalent in plastics, comes from a conflict of interests. How can European society, which projects a growing dependence on bio-resources and renewable energy justify simply reverting to non-renewable quantities as soon as they become available? Doesn’t it fly in the face of the fervent research and funding currently taking place to secure a sustainable future?
The practical answer to that question, I would suggest, is no. Knowing, as we do, that our naturally occurring supplies are a finite resource, which quickly run out, do those opposed to exploration really believe that authorities will simply allow energy firms to guzzle what’s left for a hundred years, and let the next generations deal with the problem afterwards? It may be a cliché, but if shale is our ‘second chance’, I don’t believe we will make the same mistake twice.