The IET North West Engineering Forum, held at Daresbury Laboratory on 20May 2014, brought together several speakers to give different perspectives on the controversial subject of “UK Fracking: Managing the Risks”. The presentations were:

 

·         Introduction and Opening Remarks by John Cowburn, Barry Brooks and Andrew Miller MP

Opening Remarks Andrew Miller MP and Barry Brooks IET   From: UK Fracking:Managing the Risks, 20 May 2014, Warrington 2014-05-20 00:00:00.0 Power Channel >> go to webcast>> recommend to friend

 

Summary by Professor Paul Younger  Royal Academy of Engineering and Royal Society

Keynote address: Managing the risks of fracking in the UK. RS/RAEng Working Group Conclusions Professor Paul Younger   From: UK Fracking:Managing the Risks, 20 May 2014, Warrington 2014-05-20 00:00:00.0 Power Channel >> go to webcast>> recommend to friend

 

An Industry view of Operational Best Practice by John Blaymires of IGas Plc: slides presented cannot be published by the IET owing to lack of authorisation by IGas.  



Government view of fracking regulations and their enforcement by Andrew Dobbie, Deputy Head of OUGO: slides available here.  

 

An independent engineer’s view of concerns with  fracking operations by Mike Hill

Fracking Regulation - an independent engineer's view Mike Hill   From: UK Fracking:Managing the Risks, 20 May 2014, Warrington 2014-05-20 00:00:00.0 Power Channel >> go to webcast>> recommend to friend

 

“Understanding Industrial Safety Culture” by Professor Sharon Clarke

Safety Culture in the oil and gas industry Professor Sharon Clarke   From: UK Fracking:Managing the Risks, 20 May 2014, Warrington 2014-05-20 00:00:00.0 Power Channel >> go to webcast>> recommend to friend

 

Panel Q&A Session

Panel Q and A Session Chaired by: Barry Brooks   From: UK Fracking:Managing the Risks, 20 May 2014, Warrington 2014-05-20 00:00:00.0 Power Channel >> go to webcast>> recommend to friend

With such a complex set of issues, involving geology, engineering, technology, politics and people, it would have been optimistic to expect a meeting of minds in 4 hours.  Nonetheless, it was a useful session providing lots of people with the opportunity to hear and see for themselves what the issues are.  Although gaining 100% agreement on any aspect is unlikely, improving the understanding of the facts, the risks, the basis for judgements, and the actions planned and yet to be undertaken must continue.  Hopefully the IET will continue to provide an independent forum in which people can become better informed through objective debate. 

 

The forum heard conflicting views on the severity of the risks to the public and the environment, but it was not possible to adequately discuss the complex issues raised in the limited time available. A communications exercise with the public (national and local) would benefit from a simpler exposition of the risks and issues, the planned actions to mitigate the risks and to overcome issues, with progress reports and assessments of outcomes.  Without this, disaffection is likely to fester.  Engineers can devise technical solutions and make defensible evidence-based judgements, but the wider social, economic and political issues need others to play their part.

 

If you were unable to attend the event but have views on this emotive subject why not start a discussion in our discussion  forum?



IGas have recently commented in the Greater Manchester Business News that Greater Manchester could become a Centre of Excellence for Fracking.  See this clipping for more details.