Northern Territory (Australia) Fracking Implementation Plan: a policy review

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Northern Territory Fracking Implementation Plan: a policy review

Contents

Introduction

Background of fracking

Evaluation of Plan

Problem Framing

Policy Framing

Policy Implementation

Monitoring and Evaluation

Policy Implementation for Stakeholder

References

Introduction

Coal seam gas (CSG) is the major contributor for future fuel demand. New emerging technology called fracking is way for exploring new era of petroleum resources.

Better and cheaper than conventional method

Methods are clear but chemicals are used are still not well documented.

Fracking not only related to petroleum industry but also related to Water resource, ecology including marine ecology, health sector, air quality, and agricultural sector

Requires a joint management approach for any decision making about fracking

Background of Fracking

Fracking also known as hydraulic fracturing is a method for extracting unconventional gas from deep shale bed using high pressure water to make crack into petroleum bearing formations. Known as shale gas

Labelled as “clean” alternative to coal (Moore, 2013)

Pros

Alternative source of fuel

Low cost

More job opportunity

Cons

Requires huge amount of water

Contamination of ground water

Lose of potential aquifer

Can trigger earthquake

Fracking process

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/what-is-fracking-and-why-is-it-dividing-australia

As of AU water per capital is still better and showing less scarcity but its long drought and on going increase in demand raising a new think about current water policy.

Fracking also known as hydraulic fracking is a method for extraction gas and oil from deep underground using high pressure water to make crack into petroleum bearing formations.

(After CON) Fracking policies vary widely across Australia’s states and territories, and so do community attitudes.

How Fracking Threatens Drinking Water (https://www.cleanwateraction.org/features/fracking-threatens-drinking-water)

Ritchie & Roser, 2017

Threat for local water resources: contaminate both SW and GW (Batley & Kookana, 2012)

Open pit waste water storage facilities are responsible for risking death of animals and human health

Open disposal of fracking fluid

Gas production will last nearly 50 years

Gas production is temporary but damage of water bearing formation is permanent

Global Perspective

First used in 1940’s but popularized in 1990’s (Mooney, 2011)

Popularly used in USA

Australian Perspective

Started operation in 1960’s in the Cooper Basin

Fully/ partially moratorium imposed since 2017

Queensland currently sole produce of shale gas

WA onshore operation create large amount of GHG

Northern Territory Perspective

Started independent inquiry and review in 2016

Lack of management and regulatory system helps to halt fracking operation to avoid radioactive contamination (Waste, N.D.)

Large portion of NT owned by Aboriginal people

Continuous protest going on against fracking

NT Govt. issue moratorium on fracking in 2016 (Pepper et al., 2018)

https://smallcaps.com.au/fracking-landscape-australia-by-state-and-territory/

Bista et al., 2017

Evaluation of plan

After Dovers and Hussey, 2013

Problem Framing: identify an issue, gather information and construct a policy problem

Policy Framing: guideline principles are identified, policy position and goals defined

Policy Implementation: instruments selection, resources allocated, communication and enforcement activity undertaken and monitoring established

Monitoring and evaluation: on going process to enable learning and performance enhancement

Fracking in Wyoming. Photo by EcoFlight, courtesy of SkyTruth

Problem Framing

Current law got loopholes that restrict the flow of information on chemical used in fracking- “Trade Secrete”

Fracking related to mining industry- wrong concept

Agricultural sector

Water resource sector

Environmental sector (ignored completely, Grudnoff, 2014)

Health sector (ignored completely, Grudnoff, 2014)

There is no conventional dollar value for water pollution caused by fracking

A little knowledge among aboriginal communities about fracking

Policy Framing

Developing a policy framework for reducing the risk related to water sector, to increase affective use of hydraulic fracking and engage stakeholders for long-term solution

Agencies like DENR, Department of health, NLC, EPA, DPIR work together for risk assessment using their own framework.

Review Water act, water regulations, marine pollution act, national gas act etc. to reduce loopholes

Access to relevant information at community level

Policy Implementation

Interdepartmental Collaboration to implement the term ‘fracking’ into water policy- a joint management approach

Research and monitoring

Detailed GW mapping before fracking

Risk assessment before fracking

GW data collection for laboratory analysis

Find an upgrade solution for waste water treatment

Establish monitory value (Tool) for compensation- a common language

Correlate existing framework

Provide education, training and raise awareness by involving community

Consultation with mining industry for an effective solution

Review existing law and implement new law and/or regulations (if required)

Policy Implementation: for Stakeholder

Federal and local Govt. – providing existing legislation for sustainable framework

Mining industry – provide information/data to clear the uncertainty of chemicals used in fracking process

Researcher – monitor fracking program and find a solution for debating issues

NGO’s – increase social awareness specially in remote communities

Law makers reduces the loopholes for a sustainable framework acceptable for all

Monitoring and Evaluation

https://frackinginjurylaw.com/dangerous-fracking-chemicals/

Regular monitoring of groundwater quality near fracking site and surface water near open pit waste water storage facility

Surrounding air quality, Seepage and spill check

Data collection from monitoring sites and labs for reporting and further evaluation

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO)- conduct research, review and reporting to publish for wider community

Related national and local govt. organizations for monitoring and evaluation

References

Althaus, C., Bridgman, P., & Davis, G. (2013). The Australian policy handbook. Allen & Unwin.

https://ceowatermandate.org/policyengagement/understanding-water-policy

Mooney, C. (2011). The truth about fracking. Scientific American, 305(5), 80-85.

Moore, R. (2013, March). Fracking, PR, and the Greening of Gas. In The International.

Batley, G. E., & Kookana, R. S. (2012). Environmental issues associated with coal seam gas recovery: managing the fracking boom. Environmental Chemistry, 9(5), 425-428.

Ritchie, H., & Roser, M. (2017). Fossil fuels. Our World in Data.

Pepper, R., Hart, B. T., Jones, D., Smith, R., Prioestly, B., & Anderson, A. (2018). Final report: Scientific inquiry into hydraulic fracturing in the Northern Territory. Available at:(accessed 4 June 2018).

Dovers, S., & Hussey, K. (2013). Environment and sustainability: a policy handbook. Federation Press.

Grudnoff, M. (2014). Fracking the future: busting industry myths about coal seam gas.

Bista, S., Jennings, P., & Anda, M. (2017). Cradle to grave GHG emissions analysis of shale gas hydraulic fracking in Western Australia. Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability, 2, 45.