Is shale gas a good thing?

[Dave2002]

Back to shale gas, and I see even the Guardian, in a balanced article for a change, seems in favour:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jul/08/shale-gas-fracking-good-for-environment?INTCMP=SRCH

Davey's enthusiastic:
http://www.energylivenews.com/2013/0...onfirms-again/

The Guardian article does seem balanced and informative. Applying some of the logic given there it'd make sense for China to start to develop shale gas. There are deposits in southern China according to the map associated with this article - http://www.eia.gov/analysis/studies/worldshalegas/
Shale gas may not be a good solution for the long term, but in a world where Chinese coal fired power stations are continuing to be deployed, and where some of them are not ultra modern in design, it must make sense at least in the short to medium term to switch the energy consumption in China more towards shale gas and away from coal.

The situation in India may be slightly different, though there does appear to be some shale gas in the north of India close to Pakistan.

[An_Inspector_Calls]

I agree entirely.

Even if we don't exploit shale gas in the UK, extraction elsewhere must lower the price of gas imports to the UK as there'll be a glut of production. And fortunately, we're very well placed to accept LNG imports as we have high capacity facilities such as Milford Haven.

[Simon B]

Not sure of the veracity of the info (though there seems to be a trail back to something official) but this is interesting re numerical data on UK wattage demand and the breakdown of how it's being met:

http://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk/

[Phileas]

What do you think about the proposed Severn Tidal Barrage scheme, Dave2002?

There are alternative proposals, e.g.:

http://www.theengineer.co.uk/energy-and-environment/news/engineers-head-to-swansea-for-tidal-energy-lagoon-world-first/1016351.article

[An_Inspector_Calls]

Of course there are alternatives if the engineers had a look in to designing the sytem.

But on shale:
More good news:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/economics-blog/2013/jul/16/bowland-shale-fracking-uk-economy-co2-emissions

From which:
"Consider the three standard arguments for a green economy: climate change, energy security and jobs. As it turns out, fracking does better on all three."

[Beef Oven]

Of course there are alternatives if the engineers had a look in to designing the sytem.

But on shale:
More good news:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/economics-blog/2013/jul/16/bowland-shale-fracking-uk-economy-co2-emissions

From which:
"Consider the three standard arguments for a green economy: climate change, energy security and jobs. As it turns out, fracking does better on all three."

Seems like shale gas could well be the future direction of travel for a world-wide energy solution. Have to say though, the Guardian newspaper gets most things wrong - so proceed with caution.

[Dave2002]

From which:
"Consider the three standard arguments for a green economy: climate change, energy security and jobs. As it turns out, fracking does better on all three."

Depends what the base line is, I think. Also depends on the geology where it's being attempted. Compared with coal shale gas may be better, but it's still a fossil fuel, so to call it "green" is perhaps going too far.

[Bryn]

Depends what the base line is, I think. Also depends on the geology where it's being attempted. Compared with coal shale gas may be better, but it's still a fossil fuel, so to call it "green" is perhaps going too far.

Well, it's recycling biomass, innit?

[ahinton]

Well, it's recycling biomass, innit?

Note to self: must recycle mine one day (although doing so would only risk increasing carbon footprint/emissions, atmospheric pollution and much else that's generally regarded as environmentally unfriendly)...

[Phileas]

One thing I've noticed is that the BBC always seem to refer to shale gas extraction as "the controversial process known as fracking".

[An_Inspector_Calls]

Yes, I noticed that from the lovely Fiona last night.

[Dave2002]

Well, it's recycling biomass, innit?

So is burning coal and oil!

Depends how you define recycling, and also on timescales.

[Flosshilde]

One thing I've noticed is that the BBC always seem to refer to shale gas extraction as "the controversial process known as fracking".

What's wrong with that? It's completely accurate.

[Phileas]

What's wrong with that? It's completely accurate.

I wonder how many controversial things the BBC don't feel the need to remind us they are, every time they refer to them.

[MrGongGong]

What's wrong with that? It's completely accurate.

Indeed