Oz Study Gives Approval for Fracking
A new report by Australia's Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) into the impact on the environment from hydraulic fracking should pave the way for further investment in gas exploration and development across Australia, the country's minister for resources, water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt said April 27.
A number of regions have banned fracking outright or imposed moratoria while the risks are investigated, citing the risk of polluting the water table or draining away the water that farmers need. Those fears have now been dispelled.
The government said the report, released the same day, "is the most comprehensive investigation into hydraulic fracking undertaken in Australia. The study looked at all aspects of fracking and their impact on local air and water quality over a three year period at operations in Queensland’s Surat Basin.”
“It found that best practice fracking operations that have been adopted in the Basin had little to no environmental impact, even water produced directly from the wells showed no chemical residues above normal background levels within 40 days of the fracking operation taking place.
“The study brought together researchers from the CSIRO, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, University of Queensland and Macquarie University and it confirms that coal seam gas (CSG) fracking is a safe practice,” Pitt said.
“It dispels the misinformation anti-gas activists have been spreading about the CSG industry, which is poised to deliver thousands of new jobs and millions of dollars in new revenue. Last week, Arrow announced it is proceeding with a significant CSG development in the Surat Basin in a project that will create 800 jobs in the construction and operational as well as delivering the much needed gas supplies into the east coast market.
“The coalition government is committed to supporting the resources sector, which will play an important role in driving our national economic recovery as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Reports like the one released today confirm the steps taken by the industry to protect the local environment are working and I am hopeful will attract more resources companies to consider investing in CSG and other unconventional gas developments,” Pitt said.