Fracking pollution claims ‘unproven’

A team of Texan scientists has studied the much-criticised ‘fracking’ method of extracting natural gases, writes John von Radowitz

Surface spills of fracturing fluids posed greater risks to groundwater sources than the actual process of fracking, said the researchers

Claims that a controversial method of extracting natural gas contaminates water supplies are not backed by scientific evidence, experts have concluded.

The technique, known as hydraulic fracturing or “fracking”, involves shattering shale rock with high-pressure injections of water and chemicals deep underground.

Test drilling for shale gas in Lancashire is already believed to have triggered minor earthquakes.

But the biggest complaint about fracking, voiced by critics in the US where it is already extensively used, is that it pollutes groundwater with toxic chemicals.

A team of Texas scientists has now reviewed the evidence and concluded that fracking cannot be linked directly to reports of groundwater contamination.

The scientists found that many problems attributed to hydraulic fracturing are common to all oil and gas drilling systems.

Many reports of contamination could be traced to above-ground spills or mishandling of wastewater rather than the fracking technique itself, they said.

Lead scientist Dr Charles “Chip” Groat, from the University of Texas Energy Institute, said: “Our goal was to provide policymakers a foundation for developing sensible regulations that ensure responsible shale gas development. What we’ve tried to do is separate fact from fiction.”

The Texas team presented its findings today at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Vancouver, Canada.

It showed that gas found in water wells within some shale drilling areas could be traced to natural sources, and was probably present before fracking operations began.

Surface spills of fracturing fluids posed greater risks to groundwater sources than the actual process of fracking, said the researchers.

Dr Groat said: “The immediate concern with shale development and hydraulic fracturing is that fracturing at several thousand feet below the surface would put chemicals in the groundwater that people drank that would be very bad for your health.

“An important part of our study was to determine whether or not there was any direct verified evidence that fracturing itself was producing contaminated waters that ended up in that process in the groundwater.

“Our preliminary finding is we have found no demonstration that that has happened.”

However the report said there was a need to carry out more sampling and analysis of groundwater, to get to the bottom of where contamination was coming from.

More “baseline studies” were also required showing what conditions are like before the start of drilling operations. This would make it easier to establish what effects should or should not be attributed to fracking.

A report published in November last year said it was “highly probable” that shale gas test drilling had triggered earth tremors in Lancashire.

Six protesters from the campaign group Frack Off climbed a drilling rig at one test site at Hesketh Bank, near Southport.

Critics argue that as well as causing tremors and polluting water supplies, shale gas extraction could rob alternative clean energy sources of vital funding.

Doug Parr, chief scientist at the environmental group Greenpeace, said: “Anyone who believes shale gas is the solution to our energy needs is being hopelessly naive.”