Shale Gas: The Promise and the Peril (RTI Press Books)

Highly researched and detailed information about various kinds of "fracking" and the process involved--so be prepared for some technical language and distinctions. Still quite readable though and has excellent information for anyone interested in learning more about fracking- also known as unconventional oil extraction--and the politics behind it. However, I have to say I don't agree with the conclusion of the book. The author seems to think that fracking (even in its extreme forms) could be safe enough to adopt on a widespread level within the next 2 to 5 years provided the oil industry, government officials and communities work together to properly test, monitor, oversee and manage the process. His advice is to wait until the there are further tests to make the process more fullproof. Although I found the information given was useful in learning more in-depth information about fracking, I don't agree with his more positive outlook about the "promise" of fracking ---that it will lift our general economic level, be the boon in jobs or necessarily maintain our country's power and political clout on the international level. I don't think his premise of cooperation will work. So far I have not seen that the oil industry has shown it can be trusted to monitor the process safely, be truthful with the public on environmental impact reports, be responsible and caring of the welfare of the people living near fracking areas, clean up, repair or recompense after "accidental leaks" or deal honesty with government officials whom they seem to pay off (or sue) to get them to support their agendas. Additionally, I don't agree that alternative forms of energy are too distant to come into play. They have not been supported, tested, tried or funded properly. As fossel fuel is limited. We must have the political will to seek alternatives. My conclusion is that Shale Gas is more peril than promise.

This well-researched book explores the dangers and the benefits of hydrofracking in the United States. The presentation was impressive. The author examined environmental drawbacks to shale exploration and offered viable solutions for exploiting this natural resource while minimizing negative impacts. He also explores impacts on national security and international relations.A weakness of the book is the redundancy of certain points made in several chapters when once might have sufficed. Some of the technical information and chemistry is probably beyond the average reader, such as myself, but the book is organized so it can be skimmed or skipped.I have read so much on the dangers of fracking. This book enabled me to understand more about the positive impacts it could have. Drilling should proceed carefully and slowly enough to allow the best practices suggested in this book to become widespread. Research on aquifer protection and assessment of environmental impacts need to be fully funded and carried out as quickly as possible.I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the issues surrounding shale exploration. The author discloses that he is a lifelong member of the Sierra Club. If he disclosed that he worked for Halliburton for years, I missed it. He currently works for the Research Triangle Energy Consortium. Environmental concerns are listed as two of the group's five goals. Perhaps that accounts for my perception that the book presented both environmental concerns and economic impacts of natural gas exploration. Yet as I considered this book over time, I developed concern that the environmental impacts might be glossed over by an author clearly coming at the issue from the energy camp. Protecting drinking water and the aquifer has to be the number one priority for our country.

Here are a few fundamental points that I found important;Can Fracking cause methane to leak out? There is a very small chance of this. BUT regular and fracked wells can and do leak gas. The leakage is due to poor cement jobs in the well lining, remember the Mocondo well?Can Fracking fluids leak out of the well? There is no evidence for this. BUT there is plenty of evidence that companies have spilled and improperly dumped the fluids. This is a particular problem for the Northeast because deep well disposal is not possible.How dangerous is Fracking fluid? Most of the chemicals they put in the fracking fluid are not highly toxic; In fact people have drunk the fluid as a demonstration of safety (There is one exception, diesel fuel). BUT when the fluid comes out of the well, it is much more of a problem because it is highly saline. The claim by industry that fracking fluid composition is proprietary is basically Bull****, a position that originates from the legal department.The author also had some novel interim solutions in the period of time between total reliance on renewables and our present state. I did not realize how useful natural gas (and derivatives such as methanol) would be for transportation. Because the octane rating of these fuels is so much higher than Gasoline, and engine that is optimized for this sort of fuel is 25% lighter and as efficient as a diesel...

This book is excellent in that it certainly points out dangers of hydraulic fracturing in shale gas whilst correctly addressing and mitigating with the primary fears which plague the mainstream perception of fracking.The book addresses not only the immediate concerns of water pollution, excessive nuclear elements etc but also accounts for the overall economic and transport difficulties of shale gas.There were some areas which I wish the book had such as a section describing the fracking process a bit more in depth and the size and length of fractures produced.Also the economic situation of shale gas is developing quickly into one of calamity in the US, and that perhaps may need to be addressed in due course in the next revision of this book.

My job involves energy markets so I found this book invaluable to get me up to speed on the basics of the shale gas revolution.The contents are very US specific. There's possibly too much discussion of policy choices the US government should be taking (in the opinion of the author). Apart from that the book is excellent, short and concise.

Although written by a former exec of Haliburton, this book does bring light to the positive and negative aspects of shale gas and fracking. Extremely informative and quite easy to read.

I have found this book to be a useful introduction to the shale industry. It is very US centred but can applied to other plays. I have recommended this book to colleagues.

Un livre utile pour les acteurs du gaz de schiste et les industriels mais néanmoins très facile a lire. Les citations de musiciens sont sympas.