Shale Gas Seen As Global Warming Factor
Author:
First published in Sanctuary Asia,
Vol. 31
No. 4,
April 2011
This footprint - in the form of methane emissions - calls into question the use of gas extracted from shale, often promoted as a climate-friendly alternative to fossil fuels.
Researchers from Cornell University evaluated the greenhouse gas footprint of natural gas obtained by high-volume hydraulic fracturing of shale formations - often referred to as "fracking" - and estimated methane emissions created by the process.
They calculated during the life of an average shale-gas well, 4 percent to 8 percent of the total production of the well is emitted to the atmosphere as methane in routine venting and equipment leaks, as well as with flow-back return fluids during drilling following the fracturing of the shale formations, an article in the journal Climate Change Letters said. Read the full report here.
Source: Science News, ITHACA, N.Y.
