Environmental impacts of shale gas development: A shallow aquifer controlled methane release experiment

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Shale gas development has the potential to transform the Canadian economy creating jobs, significant wealth and energy security over the coming decades. However the necessary extraction technique, i.e. hydraulic fracturing, could potentially give rise to significant environmental impacts. Contamination of shallow groundwater by leakage of natural gas originating from shale gas development is one aspect of significant concern about which little is known. In particular, knowledge on the most effective monitoring and detection methodologies regarding natural gas contamination in groundwater and the potential impacts on groundwater quality over appropriate temporal and spatial scales is lacking. Thus prior to widespread shale gas development within Canada it is essential that the implications of groundwater contamination by natural gas and the most effective monitoring and detection strategies are investigated, proven and employed. This strategic project aims to address uncertainty regarding natural gas contamination by undertaking a controlled natural gas release experiment. During the experiment natural gas will be released in a controlled manner into shallow groundwater and the effects monitored in space and time. Following release, the recovery potential of the groundwater to natural conditions will be evaluated. The proposed experiment aims to (1) determine the effects of natural gas on groundwater quality; (2) determine the most effective ways to detect natural gas contamination; and (3) aid in the design and development of monitoring and detection strategies. The overall objective is to make shale gas extraction a more environmentally friendly and sustainable technology.