Technical Aspects of Fracking Presentation
On 10th December 2015 the South Yorkshire local IMechE, ICE & IET had a joint PEI presentation at the AMRC in Rotherham on the “Technical aspects for Fracking”.
Hydraulic fracturing for shale gas is a highly sensitive topic but it was felt a presentation on the Technical involvement would be of considerable interest and move away for the political sensitivities surrounding it.
Andy Sloane who works for Dundas Consultants & Eric Vaughan from Cuadrilla gave an excellent presentation based around the historical background surrounding fracking, some of the issues experienced with the USA programme and the arrangements for UK regulation of the industry, if and when it gets a ‘green light to proceed.
The presentation slides showed how well-heads were created in the drilling process and then the extent of pipework beneath the ground gathering the shale gas by the injection of a ‘concoction’ of fluids under huge pressure.
This lecture lifted the lid on the how and what of hydraulic fracturing. A great turnout (50 in total) was achieved and the presenters handled a rigorous Q&A session from the audience well. The feedback following the event was very positive especially that it had only focussed on the technical aspects of the Fracking topic.
This is the third in a series of joint debates & presentations by the three local PEI’s, with a further one being planned in April on Nuclear Power.
(PS:-needs a picture ‘if possible’ if we use this in the newsletter?)
Alan Chater CEng FIET.