Topic: shale gas

ADVISORY: WRI's Stories to Watch 2013

James Anderson — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:03:26 -0500

WRI will host its 10th annual Stories to Watch event on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Dr. Andrew Steer, WRI’s President & CEO, will present insights into the big environmental and international development trends and events that will affect people and the planet in 2013.

Topics will likely include: What will the Obama Administration do to address climate and energy? How will China’s new leadership advance its goal of “ecological progress”? What countries will emerge on the forefront of sustainability? And, how will financial constraints impact businesses seeking to shift to a more sustainable pathway?

A continental breakfast will be served.

WHAT
World Resources Institute’s Stories to Watch 2013

WHO
Dr. Andrew Steer, President & CEO, World Resources Institute.

Dr. Steer is a leading expert on economic development and environmental issues. He has three decades of experience working on international development and on the front lines in Asia and Africa, and at a senior level in international policy roles.

WHERE
National Press Club
Holeman Lounge
529 14th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20045

CALL-IN INFO
USA (Toll Free): (866) 803-2143
International (Toll): + 1 (210) 795-1098

Access code: “WRI”

WHEN
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
9:00 - 10:30 a.m. ET

Use #STW2013 on Twitter.

RSVP required to press@wri.org

Proposed Shale Gas Lifecycle Process Map

Kevin Lustig — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:04:15 -0500

Defining the Shale Gas Life Cycle: A Framework for Identifying and Mitigating Environmental Impacts

Sarah Parsons — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:53:32 -0500

Executive Summary

Life cycle assessments of shale gas activities differ in their findings. Among the various studies, researchers estimate different greenhouse gas emissions, rates of water use, and rates of wastewater production.

Some of the variation in findings is due to the parameters of each study, particularly the life cycle boundary. The life cycle boundary determines which life cycle stages—and which processes attributable to those stages—are included in the assessment. For example, a life cycle boundary for shale gas often includes stages for exploration, drilling, fracturing, well production, processing, and combustion. Attributable processes further define the activities in those stages. However, some assessments omit stages—such as exploration, processing, or combustion—or do not delineate between stages and processes at all. The variations make it difficult to compare assessments and begin a constructive dialogue on strategies that reduce impacts.

This working paper proposes a life cycle boundary for shale gas spanning exploration to well closure/site remediation and from natural gas production to use. It follows the boundary setting guidance given in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard, which builds and expands on the ISO 14044 standard for life cycle assessment. In addition, WRI compares its life cycle boundary to those in 16 assessments of the environmental impacts of shale gas production. The findings illustrate significant variations in the scope of such studies, which complicate shale gas discussions. WRI will seek feedback on its life cycle boundary and apply it in a forthcoming working paper that summarizes the findings of previous assessments on the greenhouse gas emissions of shale gas production; estimates the implications on emissions from the Environmental Protection Agency’s revised Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule; and highlights the potential for additional methane abatement from natural gas systems in the United States.

Shale Gas

Kevin Lustig — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:10:56 -0500

WRI is providing insight into this issue by:

Creating guidance on how to define the life cycle of shale gas projects, in order to better assess their impacts
Studying how shale gas development in China affects the energy picture in the U.S. and internationally
Taking a detailed look at how we produce and consume energy in U.S. states and regions
Assessing the risk to water resources posed by shale gas development

Shale gas is a game-changer for global energy supply. It is already transforming the U.S. energy outlook (see figure below), and is expected to deliver over 40% of domestic gas production by 2025. Opinion is bitterly divided, however, over the environmental risks and benefits of this abundant new source of energy – so much so, that the different sides struggle to agree even on basic facts. The debate is raging over two key issues – on-the-ground impacts to water, air, communities, land use, wildlife, and habitats; and the broader energy and global warming implications of developing shale gas.

Upcoming Event
April 4, 2013
Launch of a new WRI working paper Clearing the Air: Reducing Upstream Greenhouse Gas Emissions from U.S. Natural Gas Systems

Power Almanac of the American Midwest

Kevin Lustig — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:07:40 -0400

Testimony: China's Prospects for Shale Gas and Implications for the U.S.

Maggie Barron — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:51:49 -0500

Testimony Of Sarah M. Forbes
Senior Associate, Climate and Energy Program
World Resources Institute

HEARING BEFORE THE U.S.-CHINA ECONOMIC AND SECURITY REVIEW COMMISSION

CHINA’S GLOBAL QUEST FOR RESOURCES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE UNITED STATES; CHINA’S PROSPECTS FOR SHALE GAS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE U.S.

Introduction

Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the deliberations of this Commission. My name is Sarah Forbes, and I am a Senior Associate for the Climate and Energy Program at the World Resources Institute. I am also manager of the World Resources Institute’s Shale Gas Initiative.

I am delighted to speak with you today about China’s prospects for shale gas and the implications for the United States. The United States and China share an interest in the domestic and international development of shale gas resources. In this testimony I will describe the state of China’s shale gas industry as well as the governmental policies that will drive its future development in China. I will discuss the implications of U.S.-China business-to-business partnerships as well as government-to-government cooperation―including the risks and opportunities such cooperation could yield. I will also describe how shale gas development in China and the United States changes the global dynamics of energy security. In conclusion, I will provide recommendations for future actions Congress and this Commission can take. In the interest of time, I have limited the scope of my testimony to a discussion of the implications of shale gas development in China on the U.S. and China.

Considering the speed with which shale gas has shifted the U.S. energy outlook1, this is an important moment to consider the implications of the development of China’s shale gas resources. Development of shale gas in China will shift future global energy dynamics. How it is done will affect the environment and global climate picture. As I describe in this testimony, shale gas can help improve international energy security by providing an abundant domestic energy resource and reducing the need for natural gas imports. What role it plays in addressing climate change will depend in large part on the degree to which shale gas displaces inefficient coal plants and supplements continued improvements in energy efficiency and renewable energy.

As I start, I would like to emphasize the following key points, which I will describe in detail in the sections that follow.

1. Current state and future direction of China’s shale gas industry: The shale gas industry in China is in early development, but the topic has already garnered significant interest from the national government. The Chinese government is implementing new policies that support the future development of China’s gas industry broadly, as well as supporting shale gas research. State-owned and provincial-owned enterprises are conducting exploration and pilot demonstrations on shale gas in China. Through its state-owned enterprises, China2 is also investing in shale gas development in the United States.

2. U.S.-China cooperation on shale gas: The global oil and gas industry operates joint ventures (JVs) to sustain growth and defuse financial risk. The emerging international shale gas industry will rely on the same tactics, particularly given the current state of the global economy. In recent years, major investments or partnerships between U.S. and Chinese companies in the shale gas sector have been used to the near-term economic benefit of both countries and provide potential for U.S. companies to benefit domestically and abroad.

3. Impacts on the energy situation in China: Shale gas development in China will reduce natural gas imports, thus improving China’s energy security. Because total natural gas demand will continue to far outstrip all domestic production for the foreseeable future, any natural gas from shale in China is expected to be consumed domestically. From an environmental perspective, the more China can develop energy alternatives to imported oil and domestic coal, the less pressure it exerts on global energy markets and the global environment. China’s domestic use of its own natural gas resources would be unlikely to have an effect on net U.S. energy imports, as the U.S. is projected to domestically produce sufficient quantities of natural gas to meet its own demand for at least the next 25 years.

Throughout my testimony, I will also emphasize a fourth point that cross-cuts these three themes.

4. Ensuring responsible operations and creating a “level playing field”: Shale gas development should proceed in China (or any country) with environmentally and socially responsible operations which are (1) enforced by appropriate laws, regulations, and standards, (2) realized through implementation of international best practices, and (3) based on an understanding of the real risks and benefits of responsible deployment (both to industry and the public). Such approaches drive demand for U.S. products and ensure a “level playing field” between companies operating in the United States and those in China. More importantly, they help ensure that any negative environmental impacts associated with shale gas development in the United States are not repeated elsewhere.

Read the full testimony here >>> (PDF, 454 Kb)

STATEMENT: WRI Response to 2012 State of the Union Address

Michael Oko — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:37:22 -0500

In response to President Obama’s State of the Union speech, following is a statement from Manish Bapna, Interim President, World Resources Institute:

“In his speech tonight, President Obama reiterated his vision for American’s energy future—a vision based on expanded energy production at home and less dependence on energy from abroad.

“The president declared that he is not going to ‘walk away’ from his commitment to clean energy. Despite the naysayers, President Obama doubled-down on clean energy, calling for a renewed commitment to energy that will create jobs and protect the environment.

“Expanding investment in clean energy can help America rebuild its manufacturing base, drive innovation, and create more jobs. The president also pointed out that government can play an important role in helping new technologies come to fruition, including through important incentives and policies to help the United States compete in the global clean energy race.

“As the president said, passing federal climate legislation may be too politically challenging today. But greater investment in clean energy can help drive down greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, leaders in Washington need to come back to the table to move forward with a comprehensive national response to climate change.

“President Obama also called for expanded development of natural gas. Natural gas is a potential game-changer for domestic energy production, but its full picture remains unclear. The president’s emphasis on additional incentives in clean energy– in wind, in solar, in batteries– are an important first step in ensuring renewable energy can compete with natural gas.

“Natural gas should be part of America’s low-carbon energy mix, but it must be pursued carefully to ensure that proper environmental and social safeguards are in place. We need to ensure that natural gas complements rather than displaces cleaner alternatives, such as wind and solar.

“It’s well past time for leaders in Washington and across the country not just to listen, but to act on America’s clean energy promise. America should embrace a national energy plan that provides the clarity and certainty our country– especially our businesses– need to move to a cleaner, lower-carbon future.”

Shale Gas: Friend or Foe?

Manish Bapna — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:17:29 -0500

A Special Letter from WRI Interim President Manish Bapna

Development of shale gas resources has sparked a fierce debate in the United States. Extraction of natural gas from shale via hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, has opened broad areas of the country to extensive development for natural gas production. This has brought new economic opportunities while raising serious environmental concerns at the same time.

Proponents call it an abundant, clean energy source that will reignite the economy. Opponents see it as little more than another dangerous fossil fuel, whose development is capable of poisoning our drinking water. Regardless of where you sit on the issue, the fact is that shale gas is fundamentally changing our energy future.

Source: Energy Information Administration’s Annual Energy Outlook

At WRI, we don’t shy away from contentious issues. By supporting WRI, you enable us to initiate new projects and respond quickly to emerging issues, like shale gas.

Many organizations are focusing now on the local impacts to water, human health, and habitat brought about by fracking, and we support their efforts wholeheartedly. Given our strengths and expertise, we believe WRI’s best role is to focus on climate and energy policy issues, asking tough questions, bringing all sides to the table, and creating strategies that link global economic recovery and energy development with environmental protection and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

It’s the type of challenge where WRI’s reputation for solid analysis and for finding collaborative solutions can make a real difference.

Energy companies often call shale gas a clean fuel because burning it releases less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than burning coal does. But, this is only part of the equation. There are, for example, emissions from methane (a gas that aggravates global warming) associated with shale gas development that need to be accounted for. There are emissions too from the generation of energy required in the processing phase and from the fuel used in mining and disposal of waste.

In an effort to inform public policy and dispel the confusion and competing claims, WRI will conduct independent analysis to quantify the full range of greenhouse gas emissions across the entire shale gas development lifecycle. In doing so, we will not only provide reliable data, but also identify points in the shale gas supply chain where we can help find solutions to minimize emissions through the application of best practices and regulatory approaches.

The second phase of our work will analyze the role that natural gas, and the increased use of shale gas in particular, will play in U.S. and global energy markets in the coming decades. We will work with our industry and environmental partners to build the case for policies and investment strategies that maximize the value added of natural gas as part of a transition to a low-carbon economy without postponing or sacrificing the development of solar and wind energy. This will provide a strategic opportunity to engage policymakers on the long-term role for natural gas in the U.S. and world energy future, integrating climate change considerations into economic development and energy policy.

Shale gas has the potential to provide clear economic opportunities and energy security benefits if developed in the right way. That’s a big if, and we need your support to help make sure our environment is protected as the country explores this natural resource.

As you consider your year-end giving, please consider a gift to WRI. The great shale gas race is on, and time is of the essence.

Sincerely,

Manish Bapna Interim President