Fracking Report

Report on the effects of shale gas extraction by means of hydraulic fracturing in the Republic of Ireland.
2nd edition
Edited by Brigit Beemster and Ron Beemster BSc MSc, for the
Fracking Research and Information Centre, Sligo
15 December 2011

Table of Contents:
Section

1
2
3
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
6
7
8
9
10

Page
Summary
The authors
Introduction
Licences in Ireland
Introduction to shale gas extraction by means of hydraulic fracturing
Effects on the environment
Space
Earthquakes
Water
Air
Sand
Greenhouse gas emissions
Economic effects of shale gas extraction in Ireland
Roads
Tourism
Agriculture
Jobs
Gas
Revenue and markets
International financial markets
Regulation
Conclusions
Recommendations
References

2
3
4
6
7
8
9
10
11
25
26
26
34
34
36
38
39
40
41
43
48
49
51
52

1

Summary
This report is intended as a first attempt to summarize the effects that shale gas exploitation may have on the Irish environment and economy. It is meant as a discussion document and as a basis for further research in these fields.
Currently, three companies hold a Licensing Option in Ireland to research if there are viable gas reserves under Irish soil. If successful, they intend to use hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) to exploit these resources.
To date, there has been no proper discussion about the possible consequences that this method of extraction may have in Ireland. Gas companies point out that it is perfectly safe, while environmentalists and action groups stress the negative effects and accidents. On top of that, there are no Irish or European regulations specifically for hydraulic fracturing.
To ensure that these different viewpoints will not lead to entrenched polarization of the issue, we recommend that before giving out any licences, the government should thoroughly investigate the effects that shale gas fracking will have on all aspects of

References: 1. J Poto nik, GH Oettinger and C Hedegaard, 2011, Letter to the Members of the European Parliament, Brussels, 22 July 2011, ref 2. Cuadrilla Resources, 2011, ITRE hearing, 5 October 2011 3 5. F Gény, 2010, “Can Unconvenntional Gas be a Game Changer in European Gas Markets?” The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, University of Oxford, 6. D Guckian, 2011, “Report and letter from Des Guckian, of Carrick group”, Fracking Matters Newsletter (22) – 11 November 2011, page 3, 7. Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, 2010, “Onshore Petroleum Licensing over the Northwest Carboniferous Basin and the Clare 10. P McMahon, 2011, Letter to Dr Robert Anthony Bazley, re: Application from Tamboran Resources Pty Ltd, for an Onshore Licensing Option in the North 15. Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, 2011, “Petroleum Licences in Northern Ireland, June 2011” www.detini.gov.uk 16. E Mills, 2011, “Ireland Orders Investigation into Shale Gas Fracking”, http://www.naturalgaseurope.com/ireland-orders-investigations-into-shale-gasfracking-2868, posted 6 October 2011 20. Groundwater Protection Council Oklahoma City and ALL Consulting Tulsa, 2009, “Modern shale gas development in the US, A primer”, US Department of 21. S. Lechtenböhmer, M Altmann, S Capito, Z Matra, W Weindrorf, W Zittel, 2011, “Impacts of shale gas and shale oil extraction on the environment and on human 26. A McLoughlin, 2011, “Shale Gas Extraction, The Next Boom?”, Presentation given in Ballyshannon, Co 27. R Moorman, 2011, statement made to R Beemster after Tamboran Resources Pty Ltd Community Information Meeting, Ballyconnell, Co