WorldWide Drilling Resource

51 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® DECEMBER 2019 Dispelling the Myths Surrounding Hydraulic Fracturing Part 2 Adapted from a Policy Brief by The Heartland Institute Myth #2 - Hydraulic Fracturing Pollutes Our Air - This myth claims air emissions from hydraulic fracturing sites create significant and widespread health problems. However, evidence from shale plays all over the United States proves this is incorrect. In fact, numer- ous studies have been conducted by various agencies and governments including: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment - The report found levels of air pollution created at active gas and oil gas drilling operations in or near residential areas are too low to pose serious health problems, even when the data was adjusted to account for people who are more sensitive to air pollution, such as those with asthma. The report concluded, “All measured air concentrations were below short- and long-term safe levels of exposure for noncancer health effects, even for sensitive populations.” University of Texas at Arlington - Analysis revealed air quality surrounding hydraulic fracturing drilling operations in the Eagle Ford Shale was well within acceptable limits. In 2015, a Modern Geosciences study of the Barnett Shale in the Lone Star State found none of the observed volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were above state-mandated public health levels. The results supported a previous study of the Barnett Shale which found “shale gas activities have not resulted in VOC levels that pose a health concern.” Drexel University - Researchers examined the Marcellus region of Pennsylvania, and did not observe elevated levels of any “light aromatic compounds (benzene, toluene, etc.)” at well sites, and “few emissions of nonalkane VOCs . . . from Marcellus Shale devel- opment.” Utah Division of Air Quality, Region 8 of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ute Indian Tribe - This multiyear study examined the VOC emissions in the Uinta Basin. What they dis- covered is VOC emission levels were much lower than previously estimated. “The emissions inven- tory shows basin-wide emissions of VOCs, thought by scientists to be the main drivers of ozone formation in the basin, are 49% lower than previous inventory estimates,” a press release noted. “Like in other oil and natural gas basins, the new inventory revealed primary VOCs have lower potency for driving ozone. That’s especially important because the oil and natural gas industry is the largest contributor of VOC emissions in the Uinta Basin. However, this downward revision of VOC emissions is yet another example of how industry has been able to reduce emissions while maintaining strong growth in oil and natural gas production.” United Kingdom Department of Health - The department issued a report concluding “the poten- tial risks to public health from exposure to the emissions associated with shale gas extraction are low if the operations are properly run and regulated.” The U.S. has revolutionized the country’s gas and oil production through the use of hydraulic fracturing, leading to a substantial increase in oil production (up 80%), and natural gas production (up 51%) from 2005. The interesting fact is national air pollution has con- tinued to decline over this period of increased production. Myth #3 will tackle concerns about the process causing health problems, next month. DIR