Activities of Martin CALLANAN related to 2011/2308(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the environmental impacts of shale gas and shale oil extraction activities PDF (255 KB) DOC (171 KB)
Amendments (23)
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital Ba (new)
Recital Ba (new)
Ba. whereas hydraulic fracturing is neither a new nor an intrinsically complex process; whereas hydraulic fracturing has taken place in more than two million wells worldwide, including around 300 wells in Europe, since the late-1940s;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the two main techniques deployed in unleashing the UFF potential, horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, have been used for decades;, including in Europe,
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Takes note of some, widely contested, studies claiming that GHG emissions from shale gas, in the short run, may not be lower than these from coal; points out, however, the uncontested view that both conventional and unconventional gas provide, in the long run, a clear environmental advantage over coal which is still an important energy source in some EU countries; sees, in this context, shale gas as a valuable "bridge fuel" on the EU's path to energy based on renewables;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Recognizes, however, that unconventional gas operations will have an impact on GHG emissions and must be addressed by the adoption of Best Available Techniques, helping to reduce emissions throughout the whole life-cycle of the shale gas process and in particular helping to drastically contribute towards the reduction of fugitive gas emissions in the well venting and flaring process;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1 c. Notes that the exploration and production of natural gas in Europe is already among the most highly regulated processes in the world; further notes a recent study commissioned by DG Energy confirmed the EU's current regulatory framework is adequate for early exploration (seismic/test drilling) activities; recognises the importance of effective implementation at Member State level of existing regulations as a crucial way of reducing risk in all gas extraction operations.
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that, given the relative novelty of UFF to the general public, a thorough assessment should be conducted on the basis of the European regulatory framework and improvement measures taken, where necessary; in relation to large-scale commercial exploitation;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that prevailing expert opinion indicates that the inherent risks of UFF extraction, most of which are common to conventional fossil fuel extraction, could be contained through pre-emptive measures, including proper planning, testing, use of new technologiesand best available technologies as available within the industry, best practices and continuous data collection, monitoring and reporting as well as a regular involvement of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in order to ensure that the critical safety and environmental equipment continue to perform in the most effective manner aiming at fulfilling safety standards;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recognises the relatively high water volumes involved in hydraulic fracturing; points out, however, that such volumes are not as significant in comparison to the needs of other industrial activities and many other energy production methods (such as coal, biofuels or nuclear energy); highlights the need for advance water provision plans based in every single case on local hydrology;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Takes note of research indicating that a distance of 600 metres between aquifers and drilling provides safety for aquifers as fractures are not known to exceed this range; takes note that in a vast majority of cases this distance is maintained as shale gas reservoirs usually lie at a depth 3km or even lower; points out, however, that if this distance was in some rare cases shallower than 600 metres additional precautions should be applied
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. BelievRecognizes, that, given the depth (over 3km) at which hydraulic fracturing takes place, the main hydraulic fracturing take place at the depth of 3+km, whereas groundwater aquifers generally do not exist beyond a depth of around 300 m, and there is a thick, impermeable formation of rock above the shale deposit that prevents any fluid migrating upward, in the direction of groundwater aquifers; believes consequently that the first and foremost concern regarding groundwater contamination is well integrity and the quality of casing and cementing;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that, given the depth (over 3km) at which hydraulic fracturing takes place, the main concern regarding groundwater contamination is well integrity and the quality of casing and cementing which should be resistant to low magnitude earthquakes;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses that effective prevention requires consistent monitoring of strict adherence to the established highest standards and practices in well-bore construction; underlines that both industry and competent authorities should ensure regular quality control for casing and cement integrity; well completion reports should be submitted to appropriate authorities;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Stresses that a minimum safety distance should be maintained between drilling pads and water wells.
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17 b. Calls upon competent national geological surveys to carry out baseline sampling of aquifers in areas where permissions for shale gas extraction are granted in order to be able to assess whether possible incidences of methane occurrence in drinking water have anything to do with drilling activities or had been there before drilling took place;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considers that there should be aBelieves that many of current controversies over UFF have partly resulted from an initial refusal by the industry to disclose the chemical content of fluids used to enhance hydraulic fracturing; deems mandatory an obligation tofor declareing the chemical content of fracturing fluid; maintains thatere should be full transparency and disclosure should be required ofby operators;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Stresses that additives used in hydraulic fracturing fluids are widely used in many commercial products and other applications.
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Takes note of recent Austrian research on fracturing without chemicals which are replaced by cornstarch; points out, however, that if proved successful there, this technique may still need adjustments to different geological conditions in other countries;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Notes that multi-horizontal-well drilling pads minimise land use and landscape disturbance as well as GHG emissions;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Recognizes that constant technological improvements in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling enable to safely develop vast deposits of UFF and to limit potential environmental effects; encourages industry to continue efforts to advance technology and to use the best technological solutions in development of UFF resources.
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Calls upon competent national geological surveys to carry out baseline seismic monitoring in seismically vulnerable areas where permissions for shale gas extraction are granted in order to establish background seismicity which would allow assessment for the possibility and potential impact of any induced earthquakes;
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19 b. Underlines that additional natural gas from unconventional resources can significantly lower the level of GHG emissions, and thus help achieve EU's GHG reduction goals while at the same time maintaining security and affordability of energy supplies and preserve Europe's competitiveness.
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Believes that public participation should be ensured through adequate public information campaigns before exploration and through public consultation before the exploitation stages; calls for greater outreach and public education in UFF activities in order to ensure public understanding, acceptance and confidence in the regulation of these activities; is of the opinion that business's involvement in these campaigns may also contribute to the general acceptance of their future operations;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Encourages Member States and the Commission to use the framework of the EU-U.S. Energy Council to exchange expertise and best practices on environmental issues related to the UFF;