Hydraulic Fracturing In Northern Territory (NT): Potential Use And Environmental Impact

In a bid for economic growth, the NT Government has commissioned the Hawke Report into the assessment of the environmental risks and actual environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing and the effectiveness of mitigation measures. With existing reserves of natural gas and oil diminishing, efforts are being made to find and exploit other sources of energy. One source being examined is coal seam gas. Coal seam gas is essentially methane, which is the main component of natural gas.

Methane is often found in conjunction with coal and the fact that it is highly explosive is one of the dangers traditionally associated with coal mining. Considerable reserves of onshore hydrocarbon deposits lie under the NT, pilot projects have commenced and there are plans for the larger-scale extraction of this gas; however, several negative side effects associated with these operations have become apparent and the current NT government have imposed a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing.
Task
Investigate the potential for the use of hydraulic fracturing in the extraction of onshore deposits of hydrocarbon resources in the NT.
Investigate the impact of hydraulic fracturing on existing farming operations, ground water quality, and other activities in the area.
Discuss the first two points, including your views on whether or not the imposition of the moratorium of hydraulic fracturing was a good idea.

The small print This is not a task which can be completed simply by looking at the internet. Original thinking is required, demonstrating sound reasoning and rational argument (including diagrams and calculations as appropriate) to support your conclusions. Students’ attention is drawn to the University’s policy on plagiarism. Note also that marks
will not be awarded for information taken directly from your references, even if it is referenced.

Hydraulic Fracturing in NT

Hydraulic fracturing is a method or rather a technique that is usually used in the production of gas from the ground eccentrically (illustration on figure 1). This is known to be one of the relatively cheaper methods of extracting gas from underground reservoirs as just involves the use of stimulation technique like hydraulic fracturing in collaboration with other technology. The reason behind this is that the gas is extracted does not merely in real underground location, but it is dispersed in rocks (Laubach et al., 2004).

However, this marks the latest discovery in gas extraction as this method was hardly there before the dawn of the 1980s.  With the invention of this new method, potential areas for mining gas have been revealed. The primary concern for this paper was not going to giving a detailed procedure of how this method is done, nevertheless by providing a summary of how it is done as a hint of likely environmental effects it may pose.

It is a common knowledge that mining is very vital economic activity as it contributes a huge percentage of the economy in the concerned state. Mining products have a very high demand for almost every part of the world hence hydraulic fracturing is no exception (Mader, 1989). There is always the debate on whether to do mining activities at the expense of the environment and vice versa. Mining operations and in this case fracturing have different effects on the environment as well the living things around.

With the Northern Territory of Australia, the same is being experienced. An alarm has been raised by the people living around this area that despite promoting the rapid economic growth of the region, it is causing adverse effects that impact on their health. Bearing in mind that, a majority of people living around this area inherited the land from their fore fathers; a solution has to be put in place as relocating them would be difficult due to their attachment to their land. Moreover, the lesson can be drawn from other areas of the world where such was or is practiced.

Hydraulic Fracturing in the NT

Before a project kicks off, there has to be thorough research to collect data on the stand of the local community inhabiting the area. This is because the community plays a critical role in determining whether a project is to be established within their locality. The government of the northern territory announced an independent scientific body, which would be delegated with the duty of making an inquiry on hydraulic fracturing of onshore reservoirs.

The main aim of the investigation was to look at possible effects, which the process might cause namely, social, environmental, and economic risks. Justice Rachel Pepper was the chair of the panel, which comprised of 10 scientists. These scientists were chosen as per area of specialization and considering the various fields affected by the project. Hence, water, geology, ecology, health, sociology, and engineering were the areas of choice. The overall process of identifying and securing the gas reservoirs was approximated to be $7 as quoted from Mr. McLeod the chairperson of Imperial gas and oil during the time.

Potentiality of using Hydraulic Fracturing in the NT

Potentiality of using Hydraulic Fracturing in the NT

After the body, which was made to make, inquiry finished its work, feedback from the local community and key stakeholders were yet to come. In between this period, there has been heated debate on whether fracturing is to continue or cease with immediate effect. There has been a controversy between the government in power and the labor party in that the government is for the implementation of the project in the northern territory (Mader, 1989). On the other hand, the NT labor party strongly opposes this, and even in its manifesto for the next election, it highlights and puts it clear that once they are elected into power, they will make sure that the project is banned for good.

The elections are held, and the winning team is the NT labor party. Now the question arises here, are they going to implement their promise to the people on the project? These are some of the major concerns. Probably the government would suspend the operation of the fracturing for a particular period or rather ban it for good. This remains unanswered. From this entire scenario, it is very much evident that the hydraulic fracturing case is becoming more of a political issue. This is because the decision of the government in power is the determinant of whether the project is to continue or not. However, there is a glimpse of hope as the new government had promised a positive decision to its citizen when it gains power and hence this gives a hint of new dawn.

As earlier on mentioned, local community inhabiting the area around the project have a hand on the citing of any project in their area. Many people vehemently opposed the implementation of the plant bearing in mind that the negative outcomes outweigh the positive ones. They only waited for a savior who would guide them in revolting against it, and in this case, NT labor party came to their rescue when they said they would ensure it come to an end. As a result, NT Labor party won, and this implies many citizens were opposed to it.

On the same note, the committee chosen to investigate the impacts of the hydraulic fracturing to the Northern territory would bring it to light the dangers the project is likely to cause on the water sources, the ecosystem, and many other activities.

Hydraulic Fracturing and the Environment

The primary target of hydraulic fracturing is to extract gas from shale in the NT, and this is likely to cause adverse effects to the environment (Gill, 2010). According to report carried out to investigate the possible consequences of this process, shale gas extraction process may be a threat to the environment. However, potential risks to the environment can be reduced or rather minimized through robust management regulations.

In our case here, we still do not have well established strong rules that can act as surety that this process will be controlled effectively. Moreover, can this regulations help in monitoring the effects associated with this project in its lifetime?

Hydraulic Fracturing and the Environment

Below is a breakdown of likely effects of Hydraulic Fracturing on various environmental aspects;

Impacts on Farming Operations

It is approximated that, a significant portion of Northern Territory would be put into mining operations and hence this is will affect the local farmers around the place because they will be forced to abandon their land and pave the way for mining operations (Zoback, 2007). They would not have a say because they would be compensated for their lands, but this would have affected their farming activities in one way or the other. Large scale farming will be turned into small size simply because much of the land would be used for the activities such as packing of equipment, processing plants, feeder roads for accessing the mines just to name a few.  

Moreover, the remaining farmers will have to face the effects of the project at large extent. For instance, oil spills, as well as gas from leaking pipes, have negative impacts on the soils. This means that the soil fertility in the NT will decline drastically. This will be a result of it changing to acidic and losing critical components like nitrates, phosphate, and carbon.

In addition, methane, which is an element of this process, is known for its effects in that pipes from the project running all over the NT may leak affecting the bacterial composition of the soil, which in turn affects the plant’s ability to fix free nitrogen.

Impacts on ground water

Water is a major component of this project; however, this process causes intense effects on the water that lies on the ground. This is because most of the gas and oil are not controlled adequately, and this results to spillage, which in turn contaminates the water. In addition, disposal of waste products from the plant pollutes water too. Water contaminated by methane is known to result in blowing off buildings.

Information from a trusted source says that NT is ranked amongst the regions with clean water all over the world. With the proposed establishment of this project, things are likely to change notably. For one the gas from the project is likely to modify the taste and smell of the water because of the toxic chemicals that would be released to the ground water. On the same note, livestock of the people of the region is also to be affected as they often drink surface water, which is contaminated by fluids from the fracking process. In addition, the grass the grass is no exception, and hence this would lead to illness or death.

Since the politicians are the one to make the critical decisions on this, they should resolve to bear in mind that whatever they put into actions affects the people of Northern Territory either negatively or positively. They should be sensitive to people as well as livestock lives than allowing such practices to take place.

Chemicals used

Normally this process involves a combination of several chemicals for it to be fruitful. The main constituents are water, sand and other chemicals, which are pumped into the underground aiming at dismantling rocks to release oil and natural gas (Zoback, M.D. 2007).  Most of these ingredients pose a threat to the environment in one way or the other. With our case of NT, we are uncertain which chemical would be used, but any of the above chemicals are to be used. U.S.A is one of the known regions in the world where this is practiced published a report that indicated about 100% of the chemicals used in fracturing were deadly to the environment and life of people. Northern territory is no different as the same chemicals are the one to be employed in operation.

Environmental Impact of Hydraulic Fracturing

Wastewater

Like other mining processes, hydraulic fracturing involves a broad range of waste released into either water bodies or the environment outside. As previously mentioned, this process requires large amounts of water, and hence large quantities of water are given out as waste. It is quite unfortunate much of this waste is directed to the surface where human activities like farming and livestock rearing take place (Fjaer, 2008). The constituents of this waste water are always toxic chemicals, heavy metals and also radioactive materials.

If the project is to come to life, the people of the Northern region should be ready to face a couple of problems associated with fracturing. The wild animals, livestock in the area, will all be victims of the same. To add on the same, NT is characterized by floods and storms as this may worsen the situation by making it so risky.

Impacts on the water in the NT

Hydraulic fracturing is likely to cause water competition in the region. Bearing in mind that fracturing requires massive gallons of water, in fact, it is approximated that the amount required is about 11-34 million liters, it translates to that water shortage may be experienced. Putting into consideration that other activities need water in the NT, a relentless pressure is expected to be put the region’s underground water sources. Moreover, other factors are likely to affect water availability like current climatic changes due to global warming just to mention a few.

Pollution of Air

In the process of Fracturing, dangerous gases, which include carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, are emitted to the atmosphere (Jared, 2013). All these gases are harmful and affect the quality of air in both the location area and those surrounding it. Emission of these gases is known to bring serious health problems. People in NT region leaving few kilometers are the one to face it rough. Also, those not near to the plant are not exceptional. Research conducted in the USA show that severe respiratory problem report with people inhabiting the area around the plant. Animals are also to face the same consequences as people.

Socioeconomic Impacts

Implementation of the project is likely to bring with it some social and economic issues. Firstly, people would relocate from the region to other areas to pave the way for the project. Moreover, the establishment of the project means that the NT region would change into a mining center hence the standards of living are bound to increase. As a result, people who cannot afford to meet new charges on rent, water, electricity, and sewage.

Furthermore, demographic change is likely to be witnessed, as people would flock to the area to search for jobs. In many cases, like this one people are taken from outside the region hence this means reoccupation of the NT region by new faces (Patel, Tara.31 March 2011). As was the case with the United States where water sources were contaminated to any extent that the company in concern provided water to the communities in bottles, the same is likely to be witnessed in the NT region. 

Conclusion

Conclusion

Am made to believe and support the suspension of hydraulic fracturing. As to me, this is a good idea. In life we are living today, there are things that we cannot exchange for money hence the saying ‘money is not everything. From the above explanation on the possible dangers fracturing, it is true beyond doubts that this process has various effects almost to every sphere of life.

With the fact that approximately ¾ of NT region would be put under mining operation and to be specific, hydraulic fracturing, this is vividly clear that potential harm would be exposed to people living around this area. Firstly, people who have been used to clean water will now begin using water that is contaminated by toxic chemicals from the plant. Fresh water in the NT region has been contributing to the economic welfare of the people here regarding agriculture and other activities (IEA (29 May 2012).

After the kick off the plant, agriculture would be affected in that the fertility of the soil would be altered by the dangerous chemicals that are disposed on the surface from the fracturing process. Disposal of harmful chemical into the ground is known to have impacts on the concentration of soil minerals and nitrates. As a result, the plant would not be able to absorb the required amount of growth.

Fracturing will lead to severe health problem to the people of NT as well animals leaving around this area. Respiratory complications are likely to be reported simply because pollutants would contaminate the air beyond doubts. Bioaccumulation is at this moment to be witnessed, which would result in a build up to toxic chemicals and radioactive elements.

Erosion of soil and possible compaction of soil is another, which cannot be left un explained. Movement of heavy trucks from the site makes the soil packed together hence farmers would find it hard to restore the original state of the land (King, 2012).

Just to sum up, this report paper has sought and answered the question of concern which is, is the imposition of Moratorium or suspension of hydraulic activities in the NT region a good idea or not. I tend to believe that the answer is without a compromise a “yes.” Having highlighted the possible threats that this project would have to both the locals and the environment at large, it will not be an excellent idea at all. Despite the economic implications the project would bring, it is not a sound and a safer one to the lives of people.

I at this moment recommend the use of renewable source of energy and in this case a green one because it is cost-effective and has less or no effects on the environment.

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