Who will pay the penalty for this madness?

Editorial Department • Published 12 Jan 2012 13:00 2 Comments

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Dear Sir, - JR Ewing and "Dallas" have a lot to answer for. Some of our politicians must believe that shale gas extraction in Northern Ireland, better known as fracking, will usher in an era of wealth glamour, big shoulderpads and hairdos. Despite the hype by Richard Moorman, CEO of one of the Gas/Oil companies licensed to extract gas here, he doesn't seem to really share the dream.

From the 6th-8th February Mr Moorman will be at the The EMEA Unconventional Gas and Exploration Forum conference in Turkey where he will be talking about "building proactive government relationships." At the same conference Dr Ruud Weijermars will be talking about the economic return of shale gas operations. His introduction states -

"Shale gas operations are business ventures that compete for investor money. Operational profits from North American shale gas companies have been very low or negative. New projects are typically driven by the issuance of new shares. This is not sustainable and there are several factors that can help to improve the performance of shale gas wells: a rise in gas prices, and improvement of well productivity/cost ratio."

What a wonderful solution for us - a rise in gas prices!

We are told there are immense reserves of shale gas in the ground worth billions and billions but according to an EU report on shale gas in 2011, based on the US experience it is not unlikely that significantly less than 10% of the evaluated gas-in-place might be converted into recoverable gas reserves over the next several decades. They also find that the decline rate of shale gas wells is up to 85% in the first year. After several years all new wells are used to compensate for the decline of elder wells. As soon as the development of new wells stops, the overall production immediately declines.

This is not a good technology. The only way to keep getting the gas out is to keep drilling more and more wells and to keep fracking.

So what we stand to gain seems very nebulous.

On the other hand what we risk losing is very, very real: direct loss of arable land by well pads and access roads; significant risk of contamination to water and air with the potential to devastate both the agricultural and tourism industries throughout Northern Ireland. We risk the future of any of our industries which depend on the purity of our air and water, from Bushmills whiskey to the Fermanagh Lakelands. We risk water security, we risk food security and we risk the health of ourselves and our children.

Who will pay the penalty for this madness: the cost of lorries tearing up our roads; the cost of trying to clean up when the wells are spent? In the US the cost to restore and plug a well is over $100,000, but the gas companies are only been charged $10,000. The burden of the deficit falls on the taxpayer. And don't forget future healthcare costs and potential compensation claims. It took years for the dangers of asbestos to be recognised and the cost is enormous both in terms of human suffering and compensation. Knowing what we know, do we want to repeat this suffering by allowing fracking to proceed?

Only in JR's dreams would fracking seem like an economic bonanza.

Yoursfaithfully,

Majella McCarron

5 Wynchurch Road

Belfast BT6 0JH

This letter appeared in Impartial Reporter 12 Jan 12

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meglin
2 posts
Jan 13, 17:08
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I agree one hundred percent with Ms. McCarron. The rush for fools gold will result in riches for a very few, and a devastating negative impact on our lives in terms of quality of air, water, and a safe environment. The gas industry is rushing to exploit the naivety of policy makers in Europe, before mass class actions and a huge reality check occurs in the US, and Canada. Mr Richard Moorman of Tamboran is particularly glib and quick off the mark to allay the fears of anyone raising valid concerns. Much of his talk of "development of new technology" has apparently taken place in the four short months since his award winning performances as the "front man of fracking" in Ireland. All this new technology has yet to be proven to work, and I very much doubt if the residents of NI or the Republic wish to be guinea pigs to untried, untested, and potentially unsafe technologies, that will destroy our tourist industry, our eco and green credentials, and possibly our health. If his spin doctoring, and slick PR rhetoric does not placate, he changes tactics very swiftly, stereotyping concerned citizens as "the opposition", and insultingly, on National Radio in Ireland, suggesting that everyone who is anti fracking has based their facts on watching the documentary "Gasland". Thank you for publishing Ms. McCarron's letter.

Meg Rybicki

Co. Leitrim

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LowerErnesider
1 post
Feb 3, 05:35
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Actually "Gasland" is not such a bad place to start for an understanding of fracking.

I understand Sligo County Council have banned this so hopefully Leitrim and Fermanagh will ensure similar safeguards and politely send the nice men back to Australia as soon as possible.

Tamboran officials will use their skills not only to push this program but no doubt to in some manner convince a local voice to chirp about this wonderful gift they are sharing with us.

Apart from destroying farmlands and the health of generations fracking brings short term economic benefits.

The beauty of our landscape and the friendliness of her people on the Fermanagh-Leitrim border is our strength.

We still haven't done all that we should to promote the attractiveness of our homeland to not only those outside Ireland but to our fellow islanders too.

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