Shale Oil and Gas
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Shale Oil and Gas
by Henrik Wed Jun 12 2013, 14:04
I have been meaning to write something about this for a while, but other things keep getting in the way. Nevertheless, as the hype seems to increase on a daily basis, I figured it was past time that I provide my personal opinion of this issue.
For starters, I do not know much about what the potential ecological risks are with regards to fracking, but I am a bit worried about the fact that it does not seem like anybody really knows what the dangers are. We read horror stories about the consequences of fracking, and see it as a recurring issue in several TV series. Clearly there must be some truth to the dangers involved, even if some are perhaps exaggerating the reality. I think we have all seen images of people setting fire to their tap water, something that can’t be a good thing! Also, there are concerns about the increase of seismic activity as a result. Strictly from a logical perspective, and applying some of the geology I learnt back in school, it does seem likely that pumping water and other chemicals (and what chemicals are they?) in to the ground to try and break it up in order to release gas, will somehow create the occasional seismic movement.
I think the big problem from a geological and ecological point of view is that we don’t really know what the consequences are going to be. There is a lot of guessing going on, but there just isn’t enough experience to make confirmed statements. It’s a bit like how things were going on back at the turn of the last century, when our grandfathers were going about their business discovering a lot of new things, and not having a clue about what it would do to the world. We can see the results of the recklessness today. It concerns me that we seem to have learnt nothing from the mistakes of the past.
With the world’s oil reserves beginning to run out, and a general growing concern for pollution, I was hopeful that finally we would start finding realistic alternatives to oil and gas. The considerable increase in hybrid car sales was a sign that people were beginning to care a bit. Okay, the reality is that hybrids are not really helping, and it cracks me up when I see cars like a Cadillac Escalade hybrid! Sure, it may just be a little bit more fuel efficient than a regular Escalade, but the consumption that has gone into the production of it is much greater than the regular car, and it certainly is not less polluting and more economical than a regular small car. It is a way for wealthy people to try and give themselves a better conscience. Still, I suppose it is a sign that people are beginning to care a bit about the issue at hand. Now there is a sudden boom with the shale oil and gas, and some people are beginning to think that there is no more shortage of the fossil fuels and we can go back to our normal ways.
Early signs are showing that this boom is having a positive impact on the US economy, and it comes as no surprise that many will jumps blindly on this train. With the global crisis having been hitting pretty much everybody for a number of years now, any sign of hope will be welcomed with open arms. This new oil boom is by far the biggest sign we have seen so far, and with the US looking at a potential self-sufficiency in fossil fuels, the warning voices are being silenced as quickly as possible.
An exit from the global crisis is certainly a welcome thing, but rather than being based on old fashioned, nature destroying, fossil fuel technology, I was sort of hoping that this time we would actually get serious about alternative power sources, and let that development drive the economy. Unfortunately it seems as if our addiction to the easy oil solution is at least as strong as my addiction to nicotine! In the end, both addictions are likely to head in the same direction, with the difference being that mine only concerns me whereas the oil addiction is likely to wipe out the planet…
For starters, I do not know much about what the potential ecological risks are with regards to fracking, but I am a bit worried about the fact that it does not seem like anybody really knows what the dangers are. We read horror stories about the consequences of fracking, and see it as a recurring issue in several TV series. Clearly there must be some truth to the dangers involved, even if some are perhaps exaggerating the reality. I think we have all seen images of people setting fire to their tap water, something that can’t be a good thing! Also, there are concerns about the increase of seismic activity as a result. Strictly from a logical perspective, and applying some of the geology I learnt back in school, it does seem likely that pumping water and other chemicals (and what chemicals are they?) in to the ground to try and break it up in order to release gas, will somehow create the occasional seismic movement.
I think the big problem from a geological and ecological point of view is that we don’t really know what the consequences are going to be. There is a lot of guessing going on, but there just isn’t enough experience to make confirmed statements. It’s a bit like how things were going on back at the turn of the last century, when our grandfathers were going about their business discovering a lot of new things, and not having a clue about what it would do to the world. We can see the results of the recklessness today. It concerns me that we seem to have learnt nothing from the mistakes of the past.
With the world’s oil reserves beginning to run out, and a general growing concern for pollution, I was hopeful that finally we would start finding realistic alternatives to oil and gas. The considerable increase in hybrid car sales was a sign that people were beginning to care a bit. Okay, the reality is that hybrids are not really helping, and it cracks me up when I see cars like a Cadillac Escalade hybrid! Sure, it may just be a little bit more fuel efficient than a regular Escalade, but the consumption that has gone into the production of it is much greater than the regular car, and it certainly is not less polluting and more economical than a regular small car. It is a way for wealthy people to try and give themselves a better conscience. Still, I suppose it is a sign that people are beginning to care a bit about the issue at hand. Now there is a sudden boom with the shale oil and gas, and some people are beginning to think that there is no more shortage of the fossil fuels and we can go back to our normal ways.
Early signs are showing that this boom is having a positive impact on the US economy, and it comes as no surprise that many will jumps blindly on this train. With the global crisis having been hitting pretty much everybody for a number of years now, any sign of hope will be welcomed with open arms. This new oil boom is by far the biggest sign we have seen so far, and with the US looking at a potential self-sufficiency in fossil fuels, the warning voices are being silenced as quickly as possible.
An exit from the global crisis is certainly a welcome thing, but rather than being based on old fashioned, nature destroying, fossil fuel technology, I was sort of hoping that this time we would actually get serious about alternative power sources, and let that development drive the economy. Unfortunately it seems as if our addiction to the easy oil solution is at least as strong as my addiction to nicotine! In the end, both addictions are likely to head in the same direction, with the difference being that mine only concerns me whereas the oil addiction is likely to wipe out the planet…
Henrik- Killer Whale
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Re: Shale Oil and Gas
by glendo Fri Jun 14 2013, 13:24
it's too late for the human race, because such massive change goes against religion, politics and profits.
glendo- Killer Whale
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Gelert- Killer Whale
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Henrik- Killer Whale
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da silva- Killer Whale
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Re: Shale Oil and Gas
by da silva Tue Jul 23 2013, 15:48
Just watched Gasland 2 on HBO two days ago. I highly recommend both installments.
da silva- Killer Whale
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Henrik- Killer Whale
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