While a debate rages over the use of hydraulic fracturing to exploit fossil fuel reserves inland, the practice has quietly taken hold offshore, in the Gulf of Mexico. Documents obtained by “Fault Lines” reveal that the world’s largest oil firms are now fracking in some of the Gulf’s deepest waters — raising questions about how […]
What caused January earthquake in Alberta
On January 22, Fox Creek, Alberta was struck by a 4.4-magnitude earthquake. While the earthquake caused neither significant property damage nor injury, it did shake residents up. More importantly, it brought up the ongoing debate regarding the cause of the seismic activity. The science is still out on the definitive cause of the quake, but preliminary […]
Fracking fortunes
U.K. Software pioneer Tumbling Dice Ltd has secured part of a £2m ($3.8-million CAN) fund to develop a way to transform the way shale oil and gas drilling is guided. Daisy technology was originally designed to identify insects. Now the recognition software is being looked at to analyze soil samples. A sample will be looked at for […]
From Russia with love-the answer to fracking concerns?
Something new from Russia may make fracking superfluous. Unlike hydraulic fracturing, Plasma Pulse Technology doesn’t use chemicals, water or pressurization. PPT uses vibrations, or electrically generated plasma impulses to reduce viscosity, increase permeability and improve flow of oil and gas to the surface for extraction. There is a small tubular device on the end of […]
Is fracking responsible for earthquakes in Ohio
Until three years ago earthquakes were not only not felt in Poland Township, Ohio they just didn’t occur. Then says Miami University seismologist Robert Skourmal, three years ago oil and gas companies started hydraulic fracturing in the region. Since 2012 there have been 77 quakes. They were small and not felt by residents adds Skourmal. […]
Oil industry fights fracking bans
Longmount Colorado, a city of 25-thousand, is locked in a battle against the oil industry. The issue is fracking rights. Located in the northern part of the state, its residents decided to ban hydraulic fracturing a couple of years back. The decision protect open wilderness spaces and a reservoir popular with fishermen. The decision obviously […]
Just say no to fracking
In some European Union countries the debate over fracking is leading to governments taking steps to either curb or stop oil companies from using the practice. Germany doesn’t plan on lifting its conditional ban on the process any time soon. A moratorium has been in place for two years on new permits. And while fracking […]
Oil & gas exploration expert John Fontana on what companies should do to monitor fracking issues better
John Fontana of Vista GeoScience talks with Rob Hislop about fracking issues, well water and best practices for being responsible while drilling.
Campaign pushes for stiffer penalties in environmental disasters
A global campaign to make “ecocide” a crime under international law is an attempt to outlaw the worst kinds of environmental destruction. A grassroots movement called End Ecocide on Earth is seeking to have the wholesale destruction of ecosystems ranked alongside offences such as genocide and war crimes. The International Criminal Court (ICC) would then […]
Fracking review panel set to study issue on East Coast
A panel of five academics is getting set to tackle the issue of fracking. The group, put together by the Newfoundland & Labrador government will have a year to investigate the controversial subject. The review panel includes: Graham Gagnon, a professor at Dalhousie University and expert in water management; Maurice Dusseault, a professor in the […]