Keystone Energy Forum

Exaggerated Risks

The oil and natural gas industry understands that there are environmental risks associated with drilling and hydraulic fracturing.  These risks, however, are mitigated through the establishment of stringent standards, operational procedures and regulations, many of which were developed by oil and natural gas companies with more than a century of experience. 

As with any major industry, such as transportation, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals - even food - there are standards, operating procedures and regulations to protect the public and the environment.  Accidents occur, however, despite these protective measures, and companies should be held accountable.  It is the responsibility of the industry to be vigilant in evaluating, updating and enforcing existing standards and operational procedures to protect public welfare.

Problems and risks are sometimes exaggerated, however, and the goal must be to ensure sound public policies and decisions that promote, and not hamper, economic growth are based on facts.  For example, accidents have occurred in natural gas drilling, and the responsible companies have complied with existing regulations and have taken appropriate actions according to the law. However, hydraulic fracturing has often been misconstrued as the cause for water contamination, when in fact there has been no proof for causality. These exaggerations and misconceptions can lead to unnecessary regulations that could stymie Marcellus Shale development, which could in turn cost Pennsylvanians thousands of jobs and millions in revenue.

Pennsylvania's former Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), John Hanger, recently commented in an interview with Reuters, "There's a lot of focus in the media and the public on the problems that we have not had."

Rather than focus on the exaggerated risks, misinformation or even rumor, here are the facts:

• The companies that drill for natural gas have more than 100 years of experience, and have been using hydraulic fracturing since 1940 to extract oil and natural gas from approximately one million wells.
• The industry has developed extensive standards and operating procedures  used worldwide to guide all aspects of oil and natural gas production.  It is continually reviewing and updating industry standards to protect citizens and the environment.  American Petroleum Institute standards and practices are actually being used by many universities in training courses for future oil and gas industry workers.
• Marcellus Shale production is regulated under federal, state and local laws, including Commonwealth of Pennsylvania oil and gas laws and Federal environmental protection laws. 
• To date, there have been no confirmed cases of groundwater contamination from hydraulic fracturing.

Please read more about the facts behind drilling for natural gas, including hydraulic fracturing and the history of industry experience.  You can also learn about the standards and regulations, protecting the environment, drinking water and the public in areas where natural gas is produced from the Marcellus Shale.

Read more:

• Keystone Energy Forum Downloadable Fact Sheets
• Hydraulic Fracturing: Unlocking America’s Natural Gas Resources
• Hydraulic Fracturing, SDWA, Fluids, and DeGette/Casey