Risks and Risk Governance in Shale Gas Development

Risks and Risk Governance in Shale Gas Development PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309312604
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 232

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Book Description
Natural gas in deep shale formations, which can be developed by hydraulic fracturing and associated technologies (often collectively referred to as "fracking") is dramatically increasing production of natural gas in the United States, where significant gas deposits exist in formations that underlie many states. Major deposits of shale gas exist in many other countries as well. Proponents of shale gas development point to several kinds of benefits, for instance, to local economies and to national "energy independence". Shale gas development has also brought increasing expression of concerns about risks, including to human health, environmental quality, non-energy economic activities in shale regions, and community cohesion. Some of these potential risks are beginning to receive careful evaluation; others are not. Although the risks have not yet been fully characterized or all of them carefully analyzed, governments at all levels are making policy decisions, some of them hard to reverse, about shale gas development and/or how to manage the risks. Risks and Risk Governance in Shale Gas Development is the summary of two workshops convened in May and August 2013 by the National Research Council's Board on Environmental Change and Society to consider and assess claims about the levels and types of risk posed by shale gas development and about the adequacy of existing governance procedures. Participants from engineering, natural, and social scientific communities examined the range of risks and of social and decision-making issues in risk characterization and governance related to gas shale development. Central themes included risk governance in the context of (a) risks that emerge as shale gas development expands, and (b) incomplete or declining regulatory capacity in an era of budgetary stringency. This report summarizes the presentations on risk issues raised in the first workshop, the risk management and governance concepts presented at the second workshop, and the discussions at both workshops.

Risks and Risk Governance in Shale Gas Development

Risks and Risk Governance in Shale Gas Development PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309312604
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 232

Get Book Here

Book Description
Natural gas in deep shale formations, which can be developed by hydraulic fracturing and associated technologies (often collectively referred to as "fracking") is dramatically increasing production of natural gas in the United States, where significant gas deposits exist in formations that underlie many states. Major deposits of shale gas exist in many other countries as well. Proponents of shale gas development point to several kinds of benefits, for instance, to local economies and to national "energy independence". Shale gas development has also brought increasing expression of concerns about risks, including to human health, environmental quality, non-energy economic activities in shale regions, and community cohesion. Some of these potential risks are beginning to receive careful evaluation; others are not. Although the risks have not yet been fully characterized or all of them carefully analyzed, governments at all levels are making policy decisions, some of them hard to reverse, about shale gas development and/or how to manage the risks. Risks and Risk Governance in Shale Gas Development is the summary of two workshops convened in May and August 2013 by the National Research Council's Board on Environmental Change and Society to consider and assess claims about the levels and types of risk posed by shale gas development and about the adequacy of existing governance procedures. Participants from engineering, natural, and social scientific communities examined the range of risks and of social and decision-making issues in risk characterization and governance related to gas shale development. Central themes included risk governance in the context of (a) risks that emerge as shale gas development expands, and (b) incomplete or declining regulatory capacity in an era of budgetary stringency. This report summarizes the presentations on risk issues raised in the first workshop, the risk management and governance concepts presented at the second workshop, and the discussions at both workshops.

Governing Shale Gas

Governing Shale Gas PDF Author: John Whitton
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 9780367459864
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 310

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Book Description
Shale energy development is an issue of global importance. The number of reserves globally, and their potential economic return, have increased dramatically in the past decade. Questions abound, however, about the appropriate governance systems to manage the risks of unconventional oil and gas development and the ability for citizens to engage and participate in decisions regarding these systems. Stakeholder participation is essential for the social and political legitimacy of energy extraction and production, what the industry calls a 'social license' to operate. This book attempts to bring together critical themes inherent in the energy governance literature and illustrate them through cases in multiple countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, South Africa, Germany and Poland. These themes include how multiple actors and institutions - industry, governments and regulatory bodies at all scales, communities, opposition movements, and individual landowners - have roles in developing, contesting, monitoring, and enforcing practices and regulations within unconventional oil and gas development. Overall, the book proposes a systemic, participatory, community-led approach required to achieve a form of legitimacy that allows communities to derive social priorities by a process of community visioning. This book will be of great relevance to scholars and policy-makers with an interest in shale gas development, and energy policy and governance.

Managing the Risks of Shale Gas Development Using Innovative Legal and Regulatory Approaches

Managing the Risks of Shale Gas Development Using Innovative Legal and Regulatory Approaches PDF Author: Sheila M. Olmstead
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 24

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Book Description
Booming production of oil and gas from shale, enabled by hydraulic fracturing technology, has led to tension between hoped-for economic benefits and feared environmental and other costs, with great associated controversy. Study of how policy can best react to these challenges and how it can balance risk and reward has focused on prescriptive regulatory responses and, to a somewhat lesser extent, voluntary industry best practices. While there is undoubtedly room for improved regulation, innovative tools are relatively understudied. The liability system predates environmental regulation yet still plays an important -- and in some senses predominant -- role. Changes to that system, including burden-shifting rules and increased bond requirements, might improve outcomes. Similarly, new regulation can and should incorporate modern understanding of the benefits of market-based approaches. Information disclosure requirements can benefit the liability system and have independent benefits of their own. Policymakers faced with a need for policy change in reaction to shale development should carefully consider alternatives to regulation and, when regulation is deemed necessary, consider which tool is best suited.

The Global Impact of Unconventional Shale Gas Development

The Global Impact of Unconventional Shale Gas Development PDF Author: Yongsheng Wang
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 331931680X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 252

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Book Description
This book discusses the economic, political, and environmental issues surrounding the international exploration and exploitation of conventional and unconventional natural gas. Shale gas development in recent years has changed the energy discussion in the US as existing reserves of natural gas coupled with horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing make exploitation of these reserves economically feasible; the discussion is quickly becoming international in scope. The potential expansion of natural gas development impacts many regions of the globe and spans multiple perspectives. In a volatile international climate, one of intense geopolitical conflict between Russia and the West, economic slowdowns in Europe and China, military conflicts in the Middle East and northern Africa, and widening income disparity in the U.S., a relatively inexpensive and plentiful energy source like shale gas could play a key role in mitigating such conflicts. In an energy interdependent global community, however, multiple factors such as oil prices, differing rates of exploration, environmental concerns, strategic initiatives, institutional changes, legal and regulatory issues, and actions of the nations involved all have the potential to influence future outcomes. This book discusses each of these in turn, detailing the issues most prevalent in each geographical area. The first volume to provide a comprehensive global view of the impacts of shale gas development, this book fills a gap in the current research literature, providing vital information for the scholarly community and the public alike. This book will be of interest to researchers and students of economics, energy policy, public administration, and international relations as well as policy makers and residents of the regions that are experiencing shale gas development.

Governing Shale Gas

Governing Shale Gas PDF Author: John Whitton
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 9781315637280
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 310

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Book Description
Shale energy development is an issue of global importance. The number of reserves globally, and their potential economic return, have increased dramatically in the past decade. Questions abound, however, about the appropriate governance systems to manage the risks of unconventional oil and gas development and the ability for citizens to engage and participate in decisions regarding these systems. Stakeholder participation is essential for the social and political legitimacy of energy extraction and production, what the industry calls a 'social license' to operate. This book attempts to bring together critical themes inherent in the energy governance literature and illustrate them through cases in multiple countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, South Africa, Germany and Poland. These themes include how multiple actors and institutions - industry, governments and regulatory bodies at all scales, communities, opposition movements, and individual landowners - have roles in developing, contesting, monitoring, and enforcing practices and regulations within unconventional oil and gas development. Overall, the book proposes a systemic, participatory, community-led approach required to achieve a form of legitimacy that allows communities to derive social priorities by a process of community visioning. This book will be of great relevance to scholars and policy-makers with an interest in shale gas development, and energy policy and governance.

Economics of Unconventional Shale Gas Development

Economics of Unconventional Shale Gas Development PDF Author: William E. Hefley
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319114999
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 248

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Book Description
This book examines the economics and related impacts of unconventional shale gas development. While focusing on the Marcellus and Utica Shales in the Mid-Atlantic region, additional insights from other regions are included to provide a broader view of these issues. Shale gas development in recent years has changed the energy discussion in the US, as existing reserves of natural gas coupled with horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing make exploitation of these reserves economically feasible. The importance of natural gas is seen as likely to continue to expand over the coming years, and is expected to increase even further with environmental considerations, such as greenhouse gas emissions. Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing producing natural gas from deposits such as the Marcellus Shale is making the US a net producer of natural gas. Previous studies have examined the economic impact of exploration and production in the region. Other studies have addressed legal, environmental, biodiversity, and public health impacts of unconventional shale development. This is the first volume to focus solely on the economics and related financial impacts of this development. This book not only fills the research gap, but also provides information that policy makers and the public need to better understand this pressing issue.

Shale Gas and the Future of Energy

Shale Gas and the Future of Energy PDF Author: John C. Dernbach and James R. May
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 178347615X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 343

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Book Description
The rapid growth of shale gas development has led to an intense and polarizing debate about its merit. This book asks and suggests answers to the question that has not yet been systematically analysed: what laws and policies are needed to ensure that shale gas development helps to accelerate the transition to sustainability? In this groundbreaking book, more than a dozen experts in policy and academia assess the role that sustainability plays in decisions concerning shale gas development in the US and elsewhere, offering legal and policy recommendations for developing shale gas in a manner that accelerates the transition to sustainability. Contributors assess good practices from Pennsylvania to around the planet, discussing how these lessons translate to other jurisdictions. Ultimately, the book concludes that major changes in law and policy are needed to develop shale gas sustainably. Policymakers and educators alike will find this book to be a valuable resource, as it tackles the technical, social, economic and legal aspects associated with this sustainability issue. Other strengths are its clear language and middle-ground policy perspective that will make Shale Gas and the Future of Energy accessible to both students and the general public.

Risk Analysis for Prevention of Hazardous Situations in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering

Risk Analysis for Prevention of Hazardous Situations in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering PDF Author: Matanovic, Davorin
Publisher: IGI Global
ISBN: 1466647787
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 433

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Book Description
The accelerated growth of the world population creates an increase of energy needs. This requires new paths for oil supply to its users, which can be potential hazardous sources for individuals and the environment. Risk Analysis for Prevention of Hazardous Situations in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering explains the potential hazards of petroleum engineering activities, emphasizing risk assessments in drilling, completion, and production, and the gathering, transportation, and storage of hydrocarbons. Designed to aid in decision-making processes for environmental protection, this book is a useful guide for engineers, technicians, and other professionals in the petroleum industry interested in risk analysis for preventing hazardous situations.

Regulatory Fracture Plugging

Regulatory Fracture Plugging PDF Author: Caroline Cecot
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Debates about the desirability of widespread shale development have highlighted outstanding uncertainty about its health, safety, and environmental impacts--most prominently, its water-contamination risks--and the ability of current institutions to deal with these impacts. States, the primary regulators of oil and gas extraction, face pressure from the energy industry, local communities, and, in some cases, the federal government to strike the right balance between energy production and the health and safety of individuals and the environment--an elusive balance given the ongoing risk uncertainty. This dynamic is not especially unique to fracking, or even oil and gas extraction; instead, this dynamic, characterized by tradeoffs between environmental protection and economic development under risk uncertainty, is a common theme of environmental risk regulation. Regulators at every level of government weigh and evaluate potential interventions against this background. This Article contributes to a symposium held at Texas A&M School of Law that explores the advantages and disadvantages of various government interventions in the environmental context in an effort to identify ideal risk-management tools under various circumstances. It argues that the most important considerations for identifying risk-management tools in the environmental context are risks, incentives, and cost-benefit analysis. These cornerstone principles provide a useful framework for environmental policy in general, especially in situations that involve heterogeneous and uncertain risks. By paying attention to risk, incentives, and cost-benefit analysis, government regulators are more likely to promote optimal levels of environmental quality and avoid unintended, or even perverse, consequences. To demonstrate the usefulness of these concepts concretely, this Article applies them to the fracking context, focusing on the most prominent risks from widespread shale development, risks to water from shale gas extraction. It identifies risk-management gaps in tort litigation, insurance markets, and regulation schemes and suggests potential solutions.

Regulating Shale Gas

Regulating Shale Gas PDF Author: Leonie Reins
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 1786433192
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 189

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Book Description
Regulating Shale Gas discusses the regulatory context of shale gas in the European Union and draws conclusions on the EU’s broader approach towards the regulation of new technologies. Providing the first dedicated examination of the overall regulatory context of shale gas in the EU, Leonie Reins reveals how the EU’s new constitutional setup after the Lisbon Treaty has complicated rather than facilitated the EU’s quest for a common energy policy.