The Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering recommendations: review of progress
20 March 2015
UKOOG, the representative body for the onshore oil and gas industry, has today published a report into progress made against recommendations from the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering into the management of shale gas extraction in the UK.
“Shale gas extraction in the UK: a review of hydraulic fracturing” was published in 2012 at the request of the UK Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir John Beddington FRS, who asked the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering to review the scientific and engineering evidence and consider whether any risks associated with hydraulic fracturing as a means to extract shale gas could be managed effectively in the UK.
The report made a number of recommendations, some which related directly to operators and others to government and regulators.
Since the report has been produced, substantial progress has been made in addressing the recommendations, which will need to be ratified by exploration activity and the drilling of wells.
Ken Cronin, CEO of UKOOG, commented:
“At a time when the industry continues to come under scrutiny, we’re keenly aware of the need to provide reassurance around the steps we’re taking to ensure we build a world-leading approach to shale development.
“The Royal Society and The Royal Academy of Engineering report was a watershed moment for the industry and I am pleased to report that substantial progress has been made in addressing their recommendations. The majority of the actions have now been completed or, subject to operational data, are in the process of being completed, which is a great achievement for an industry at an early stage of development and testimony to the commitment Government, regulators and operators have made towards building a system of regulation and governance that is second to none.”
Recommendation 1 - To detect groundwater contamination: Status: Complete
Recommendation 2 - To ensure well integrity: Status: Complete
Recommendation 3 - To mitigate induced seismicity: Status: Complete
Recommendation 4 - To detect potential leakages of gas: Status: Complete
Recommendation 5 - Water should be managed in an integrated way: Status: Ongoing
Recommendation 6 - To manage environmental risks: Status: Complete
Recommendation 7 - Best practice for risk management should be implemented: Status: Ongoing
Recommendation 8 - The UK’s regulators should determine their requirements to regulate a shale gas industry should it develop nationwide in the future. Skills gaps and relevant training should be identified. Additional resources may be necessary: Status: Ongoing
Recommendation 9 - Co-ordination of the numerous bodies with regulatory responsibilities for shale gas extraction should be maintained. A single body should take the lead: Status: Complete
Recommendation 10 - The Research Councils, especially the Natural Environment Research Council, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council, should consider including shale gas extraction in their research programmes, and possibly a cross-Research Council programme. Priorities should include research into the public acceptability of the extraction and use of shale gas in the context of UK policies on climate change, energy and the wider economy: Status: Ongoing
-ENDS-
Contact: Jason Nisse/Ian Schofield 0207 680 6550 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Notes to editors:
The original Royal society report can be found here:
http://www.raeng.org.uk/publications/reports/shale-gas-extraction-in-the-uk
UKOOG’s progress report can be found here:
About UKOOG:
UKOOG is the representative body for the UK onshore oil and gas industry, including exploration, production and storage. The organisation’s objectives are to enhance the profile of the onshore industry, promote better and more open dialogue with key stakeholders, deliver industry wide initiatives and programmes and to ensure standards in safety, the environment and operations are maintained to the highest possible level. Membership is open to all companies active in the onshore industry including those involved in the supply chain.
