Shale gas impacts on groundwater resources
2017
Exploitation of shale gas by hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is highly controversial and concerns have been
raised regarding induced risks from this technique. The SHEER project, an EU Horizon 2020-funded project,
is looking into developing best practice to understand, prevent and mitigate the potential short- and long-term
environmental impacts and risks from shale gas exploration and exploitation. Three major potential impacts were
identified: groundwater contamination, air pollution and induced seismicity. This presentation will deal with the
hydrogeological aspect.
As part of the SHEER project, four monitoring wells were installed at a shale gas exploration site in Northern
Poland. They intercept the main drinking water aquifer located in Quaternary sediments. Baseline monitoring was
carried out from mid-December 2015 to beginning of June 2016. Fracking operations occurred in two horizontal
wells, in two stages, in June and July 2016. The monitoring has continued after fracking was completed, with site
visits every 4-6 weeks. Collected data include measurements of groundwater level, conductivity and temperature
at 15-minute intervals, frequent sampling for laboratory analyses and field measurements of groundwater
physico-chemical parameters. Groundwater samples are analysed for a range of constituents including dissolved
gases and isotopes.
The presentation will focus on the interpretation of baseline monitoring data. The insights gained into the
behaviour of the Quaternary aquifer will allow a greater perspective to be place on the initial project understanding
draw from previous studies. Short-term impacts will also be discussed in comparison with the baseline monitoring
results. The presentation will conclude with discussion of challenges regarding monitoring of shale gas fracking
sites.
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