Council Report Confirms no Damage from Fracking

24 November 2011

Media Statement

Council Report Confirms no Damage from Fracking

Embargoed Until 11.30am Thursday when TRC will post the report to their website.

A report released today by the Taranaki Regional Council giving the oil and gas exploration industry a clean bill of health over historical fracking activities in the region has been welcomed by the industry.

Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand Executive Officer John Pfahlert says the report, prepared by the Council and peer reviewed by the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science showed there have been no adverse environmental effects from fracking of conventional oil and gas wells in the past 10 years.

“In that period 28 wells were subjected to fracking. The report concludes that if undertaken properly there was a very low likelihood of contaminants reaching aquifers due to the presence of impermeable rock layers and the depth at which the activity is occurring” said Mr Pfahlert.

“While the risks are greater when fracking is carried out at shallower depths closer to aquifers, the report concludes that this can be managed by a more stringent regulatory approach. The report concludes there is little risk to freshwater aquifers from properly conducted hydraulic fracturing operations in the Taranaki region” said Mr Pfahlert

ENDS

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