A new report from US scientists suggests that using shale gas as an alternative to coal and fossil fuels could actually be worse for the environment.
The report from scientists at New York's
Cornell University, published this week, indicates that up to eight per cent of
methane, a powerful greenhouse gas (GHG), makes its way into the atmosphere from producing
shale gas, about twice as much as escapes during
traditional gas extraction.
Recent technical advances are making it possible to exploit previously untapped shale gas, mostly in the US, China and Australia, and oil companies are turning to it and marketing it as a clean, plentiful and relatively cheap form of energy. However, when gas is extracted from shale, the well is hydraulically fractured, and methane is released. Methane is 25 more potent than carbon dioxide when contributing to climate change.
"The footprint for shale gas is greater than that for conventional gas or oil
when viewed on any time horizon, but particularly so over 20 years," the Cornell University report says. "Compared to coal, the footprint of shale gas is at least 20 per cent greater and perhaps more than twice as great on the 20-year horizon and is comparable when compared over 100 years."
Shale gas has been thought to be a viable alternative to coal because burning it does not produce a lot of carbon dioxide, unlike coal. However, extracting shale gas releases much more methane than mining coal does, indicating that shale gas may not be the best solution to meeting rising energy needs while combating climate change.
On the rise
Current estimates from the US Department of Energy indicated that the use of shale gas is expected to increase from 16 per cent to 45 per cent in 2035. If this is the case, it could mean detrimental affects for the environment.
In the UK, environmental concerns were raised last January when Cuadrillo Resources, a mining company, announced it would drill for shale gas near Blackpool.
In an interview with the BBC, a spokesman for the Department for Energy and Climate Change, said to address the issue of methane levels the Government will "closely monitor developments and consider the need for additional research to improve our understanding of the implications for policy."
Like this story? Please subscribe to our free weekly e-newsletter at the top of the page for more content like this.
Related content:
Energy & resources
Green policy
CO2 reductions
