Page 23 - Gi flipbook February 2018

Shale gas could represent an
opportunity for the UK to become
an energy independent nation

access to the EEA is not granted, and substances used are reported to carry
the UK needs to rely on the EU for its grave environmental concerns, with
supplies of oil and gas, hefty trade fears carcinogens could enter the
tariffs would apply according to World ecosystem, causing untold damage to
Trade Organisation rules. the environment, local wildlife and
even our water supplies.
IS SHALE ROCK THE SOLUTION? Significant gas leaks are also a
Could a more insular approach solve problem with fracking. In 2015, Aliso
the UK’s energy problems? With the Canyon was the site of a large-scale
North Sea reserves in disarray, coal gas leak that dwarfed the ecological
mining mothballed, government footprint of the Deepwater Horizon oil
support faltering in renewables and spill in 2010. Scientists estimate that
question marks around the safety of the leak released 97,100 tonnes of
nuclear energy, exploiting Britain’s methane and 7,300 tonnes of ethane
shale reserves has been touted as a into the atmosphere. The leak also
possible solution, and the early signs caused widespread reports of illness
are very encouraging. amongst nearby residents, including
The British Geological Survey headaches, nosebleeds and nausea.
estimates the UK has 1,327 trillion But the real story is the potency of
cubic feet of shale rock right beneath methane as a greenhouse gas. It is
our feet. Their study indicates that approximately 30 times more potent
much of the shale is in rock at trapping heat in the atmosphere
formations across the rural areas of compared to carbon dioxide, meaning
the country, including the South West, it can have a devastating impact on
the Midlands, and the North. the Earth’s climate.
The economic case for exploiting
energy in the UK is relatively clear-cut. BREXIT FORCING SHALE GAS
significant impact on the way we do Not only would it create swathes of OPPORTUNITIES?
business with the wider world. While jobs in the energy sector, but it would Shale gas could represent an
the details of what this entails are yet reduce the UK’s dependence on opportunity for the UK to become an
to be decided, there are numerous importing energy to combat the energy independent nation. Despite
scenarios that could unfold. energy deficit it faces. this, we think shale gas has a long way
With the UK government and Proof of concept lies within the US. to go before it becomes viable in the
industry keen to retain tariff-free At the turn of the century, Americans UK. In particular, attention needs to be
access to the European Economic turned to shale rock to fulfil their oil paid to environmental consequences
Area (EEA), and the remaining 27 and gas requirements. Right now, of fracturing shale rock. Appropriate
members of the EU bullish in their natural gas approximately makes up safeguards must be established in
approach to the Brexit negotiations, 35 per cent of the energy the US order to protect the environment and
the UK could end up in a situation generates, of which 60 per cent is ensure that devastating leaks are kept
where it leaves the EU without a fracked from the US mainland, to an absolute minimum.
comprehensive trade relationship with according to figures from the Brexit may yet force the UK
the world’s largest trading bloc. American government. Comparing the government’s hand, as at this stage, it
This could have an impact on the years 2000 and 2015, the US has is clear the UK needs to explore viable
UK’s need for imported fuel. At the produced approximately 62 per cent alternatives to reverse its reliance on
moment, Kremlin-controlled Gazprom more gas, of which, 67 per cent of the imported fossil fuels. ■
supplies about a third of oil and gas gas extracted is from hydraulically
for the European Union, with Britain fractured wells. ■ Elementar UK is a multinational
relying on a similar figure. As a manufacturer of elemental analysers
supplier, Gazprom has been quite POTENTIAL PITFALLS and isotope ratio mass spectrometers
volatile, switching off their supply of Despite the strong economic case, used for analysis of non-metallic
gas to Europe on several occasions shale energy is fraught with issues. In elements. Their applications and
including the 2009 and 2015 crises. particular, the technique used to machinery are used for ground-
As a consequence, the EU is now extract oil and gas from shale rock is a breaking studies and research by
exploring plans to increase its own cause for concern. Hydraulic scientists in the chemical, forensic,
energy production within the confines fracturing, or ‘fracking’, uses a blend of energy, agricultural, materials and
of the super-state itself. This could be sand, water and other substances to environmental sectors. For more
problematic for the UK. If unfettered create fractures within shale rock. The information visit www.elementar.co.uk

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