Challenge 1: Assessing and Monitoring the UK Shale Gas Landscape (UKSGL)

天然气（和石油）可以通过一种被称为水力压裂或“水力压裂”的方法从页岩中提取。这种形式的碳氢化合物开采尚未在英国完全部署。英国的“页岩气景观”（SGL）是一系列复杂的社会和技术因素，随着钻井和水力压裂井的申请许可，这些因素将在未来几年发生变化。当进行钻井和水力压裂时，我们将了解天然气开采是否经济可行，是否可以以社会可接受的方式进行。此外，我们对与水力压裂过程相关的潜在环境影响的了解将得到加强。“评估和监测英国页岩气景观”（UKSGL）项目的主要目标是创建一个跨领域的联盟，该联盟将与来自其他挑战的研究人员密切合作，发表一系列综述论文，总结这一不断发展的复杂景观的最新知识。此外，该项目将开发一个概念模型，结合对SGL的全面知识和理解，使对UKSGL未来的预测成为可能，并允许在项目咨询委员会成员的指导下对具体情景进行测试。该项目成功的关键将是提供具有影响力的卓越成果——确保项目通过与主要利益相关者公开透明地交流社会、环境和地球科学数据和发现来实现利益最大化。该项目将利用一系列信息共享工具和技术与利益相关者积极接触，包括UKSGL网站；出版开放获取的研究论文；组织年度会议，由经验丰富的知识经纪人监督。

Gas (and oil) can be extracted from shale using a process known as hydraulic fracturing or 'fracking'. This form of hydrocarbon extraction has yet to be fully deployed in the UK. The 'shale gas landscape' (SGL) in the UK is a complex set of social and technical factors that will change over the coming years as permission is sought for wells to be drilled and hydraulically fractured. When drilling and fracking takes place, we will learn whether gas recovery is economically viable and can be carried out in a socially acceptable way. Furthermore, our knowledge of the potential environmental impacts associated with the fracking process will be enhanced. The key aim of this project, 'Assessing and Monitoring the UK Shale Gas Landscape' (UKSGL) is to create a cross-cutting consortium, which will work closely with researchers from the other challenges to produce a series of published review papers summarising up to date knowledge of this evolving complex landscape. In addition, the project will develop a conceptual model, incorporating comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the SGL, enabling predictions about the future of the UKSGL and allowing the testing of specific scenarios as directed by Programme Advisory Board members. Key to the success of this project will be delivering excellence with impact - ensuring that the project maximises benefit through open and transparent engagement with key stakeholders to communicate social, environmental and geo science data and findings. The project will harness a range of information sharing tools and technologies to actively engage with stakeholders, including a UKSGL website; publication of open-access research papers; organisation of an annual conference, overseen by an experienced Knowledge Broker.