Institution responds to Committee on Climate Change report on UK shale gas

The Institution's Dr Jenifer Baxter welcomes the report and says the regulatory framework for well integrity must continue post Brexit.

Dr Jenifer Baxter, Head of Energy and Environment at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said in response to the new report by the Committee on Climate Change on shale gas:

"This is a very welcome report. The Committee on Climate Change is right to suggest there are strict limits on methane leaks from the extraction, storage and transportation of natural gas as well as restrictions on gas consumption and carbon output imposed on any UK shale gas project. Sites must be closely monitored by both the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive to ensure environmental impact assessments are carried out and appropriate well depth and integrity is maintained. In a recent report from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and IOM3 the regulatory framework for well integrity in the UK was shown to be robust and comprehensive and we must ensure that this continues to be the case post Brexit.

"Shale gas is not a silver-bullet solution to meeting the UK's future energy demands, but has a role to play in a diverse and balanced energy portfolio which also includes nuclear, renewables, demand side management and storage. UK shale could make a helpful contribution and help protect the UK from the volatility of the global energy markets.

"The UK shale gas industry has the potential to contribute to securing energy supplies and creating much-needed jobs in regions such as Lancashire and Yorkshire, particularly in a time of uncertainty around markets, investment and supply.  Shale gas could provide opportunities for localised UK supply that replaces imports. Government and industry must now work to help change public perceptions of shale gas to convince the public that hydraulic fracturing (fracking) of rock for shale gas extraction is safe. There is a long way to go before shale gas provides significant amounts of gas in the UK.  If local authorities and communities are to make informed decisions on whether to allow fracking to take place in their locality they need to understand all the issues and have an opportunity to discuss them sensibly.”