Naslov
Regulatory framework development for unconventional gas projects

Autori
Karasalihović Sedlar, Daria

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, pp prezentacija, znanstveni

Skup
Baku World Forum of Young Scientists

Mjesto i datum
Baku, Azerbajdžan, 26.05.2014. - 30.05.2014

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Unconventional gas ; risk governance ; regulatory framework

Sažetak
Great potential, for reduction of European reliance on natural gas import, lies in natural gas production from unconventional reservoirs including: tight sandstones, gas shale, gas dissolved in deep aquifers, CBM and gas hydrates. According to the assessments made in 1997, natural gas reserves from unconventional gas reservoirs are estimated to 921×1012 m3, which is almost five times more than total world conventional natural gas reserves. [1] Gas shale has the highest share of unconventional natural gas reserves (50%). The unconventional gas reserves in Europe amount 35×1012 m3. However, due to lack of exploration activities these predictions are rather conservative. Due to contemporary technology and gas prices, gas production from these reservoirs is much more complex comparing to gas production from conventional reservoirs. It also requires more investments, because both horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, which must be performed in order to produce gas from unconventional reservoirs, are relatively expensive. Strict regulation and legislation on environmental protection in Europe also makes these reservoirs difficult to develop. In the first quarter of 2013, the European Commission organized major consultation with citizens, organizations and public authorities about the development of unconventional gas reservoirs in Europe. [2] Results of this consultation are feeding into the European Commission’s “Environmental, Climate and Energy Assessment Framework to Enable Safe and Secure Unconventional Hydrocarbon Extraction.” Until the publication of this EU- wide risk management framework is done, and without clear European Union policy direction, the issue is in the hands of politicians in the member states. Therefore, overall recommendations for energy sector concerning development of unconventional gas reservoirs include: A frac plan which will need to be constructed, submitted and approved by the Energy Department of the Ministry of Economy before any development activity can be initiated. An Environmental Impact Assessment Study (EIA) should be mandatory for all operations concerning development of unconventional reservoirs and involve the participation of local communities through public debate. The EIA should assess risks and impacts across the entire life cycle of unconventional reservoir gas extraction, including the disposal of wastes and well abandonment. [3] Seismic risks should also feature as part of the Study.Transparency is required through overall process: all baseline monitoring data should be uploaded on operators’ websites for public use. By implementation of stated recommendations into contemporary legislation and by introduction of new legislation framework concerning unconventional gas development, State Government can develop a much anticipated legislation that could provide greater regulatory clarity and certainty for investors (operating and service companies), including a uniform system of concessions and taxes and also transparent framework for maximal preservation of the environment. Since, it is anticipated that development of an unconventional reservoirs is in the interests of national energy sector, risk governance system should be instituted for the sustainable unconventional gas exploration. For example Croatia has a more than a century long hydrocarbon production and therefore legitimacy of unconventional gas development will be easier to accomplish. Economic crisis in Croatia and the perceived need for industrial employment make opportune business environment. On the other hand there have been previously failures and non realization of a big energy projects (Pipeline Brotherhood - Adria) due to negative perception of the nongovernmental organization. Due to long petroleum history local community opposition to unconventional gas development is not very likely to be formed, but if a strong and trusted regulatory system is not present, if concerns about safety and environmental risks are not addressed effectively, if local communities do not receive financial benefits from unconventional gas development and if permitting procedures fail to provide transparency and opportunity for community deliberation than everything is possible even ban on unconventional gas projects like in some other European Countries. Successful development of unconventional gas reservoirs and associated surface infrastructure requires large investments in related infrastructure (pipelines) that are unlikely to be accomplished without active political support. For sustainable development of unconventional gas project systematic and sustained commitment to the technological, workforce, infrastructure and communications capabilities is needed. In order to sustain political legitimacy, a strong public sector risk governance system built on the principles of sound science and data verification is critical and academic institutions and other professional associations will have the crucial role in this process. Government officials should expect activism for and against unconventional gas development. When unfounded claims (pro and con) are stated in public, the response from government officials must be timely, authoritative and responsive to the key issues. Therefore, government employees should be well educated concerning all unconventional gas issues.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Rudarstvo, nafta i geološko inženjerstvo

POVEZANOST RADA