A UK report has confirmed that fracking has caused earthquakes on several occasions.
A report from independent experts into the seismic risk associated with hydraulic fracturing commissioned by the UK's Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has confirmed minor earthquakes near Blackpool were the result of fracking activity.
The report reviews data on small-scale earthquakes (of less than 2.3 magnitude) that occurred during fracking of the Preese Hall site near Blackpool in April and May 2011. It concludes that the tremors were caused by fracking, and recommends taking steps to mitigate future seismic risk, including the following:
- A smaller pre-injection and monitoring stage for hydraulic fracturing procedures
- An effective monitoring system that provides near real-time locations and magnitudes of seismic events
-A "traffic light" control regime – whereby a red light at activity levels of magnitude of 0.5 or above means fracking should be stopped and remedial action taken.
In effect, the UK DECC study suggests a precautionary approach is taken, with more caution applied than is currently being used – especially in such early stages of the introduction of the technique.
The Green party in NZ has been at the forefront of the opposition to fracking in NZ, calling for a moratorium on fracking until proper inquiries can be carried out to ascertain the risks and environmental impacts that come with the controversial mining technique.
Gareth Hughes, Green party spokesperson for energy, says the “link between seismic acticity and fracking is concerning for New Zealand”, being a seismically active country.
The MP was speaking from a Hastings meeting on Fracking.
Mr Hughes says there is also the issue of water contamination – with underground aquifers potentially being contaminated by the chemicals and gases associated with the fracking process. He says this is particularly important in New Zealand where many farms and communities rely on pristine underground aquifers for their water supply.
He adds that water sourcing could be an issue, for the water pumped down to do the fracking is usually sourced from a local stream or lake.
According to Hughes, New Zealand has “no guidelines such as they are recommending in UK”. He says he sees the new DECC report as strengthening the Green party call for a moratorium on fracking nationwide.
Hughes also highlights the incidents of increased methane contamination of aquifers,recorded in several locations internationally, and of a concern in a “farming nation such as New Zealand.”
Both Christchurch and Kaikoura have recently gone “frack-free”, with the Christchurch City Council voting unanimously in favour of a ban on the technique earlier this month. Hughes says this is a strong indication that fracking is contentious enough for regional councils to pre-empt national level government in devising their own preventative legislation.
Hughes says this momentum of regional opposition is spreading and several other regions are currently considering introducing regional legislation which effects a moratorium in their locale until the full effects are further investigated.
According to Hughes, of the 10 countries that are using fracking, seven of them of have introduced a moratorium – he says this indicates that there is global concern about fracking.
