Fracking

Hydraulic fracturing – unconventional gas extraction (fracking) is a well stimulation process used to maximize the extraction of underground resources; including oil, natural gas, and geothermal energy. The process of hydraulic fracturing begins with building the necessary site infrastructure including well construction. Production wells may be drilled in the vertical direction only or paired with horizontal or directional sections. Fluids, commonly made up of water and chemical additives, are then pumped into a geologic formation at high pressure and when the pressure exceeds the rock strength … More…. Link to —- http://ecnt.org.au/dirty-gas/

In 2018 Northern Territory Government lifted the moratorium on UNCONVENTIONAL GAS exploration in the NT. This moratorium was in place due to massive public outcry against the fracking industry and an overwhelming desire to keep the NT healthy and look at alternative ways to power society and move towards a sustainable future.

For the preceding 18 months there was an ‘independent’ scientific enquiry conducted by a panel of experts from which it was hoped that there would be a total ban on the industry in the NT. There were hundreds of submissions (including our own) and overwhelming public angst against the industry.

From this it was hoped that the PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE would be enacted and save the day.
Sadly we were disappointed.

The enquiry came up with a ‘low’ overall risk rating subject to a massive 135 essential actions being implemented before the industry could start production. It needs to be stressed that this ‘low’ risk rating was based on absolutely everything being undertaken in the spirit of the recommendation being delivered.

This unrealistic expectation is already bearing rotten fruit with some recommendations being watered down or sidelined to a later date. Many fear also that as has often happened in the past, the NT Government will lack both the funds and faith to oversee the recommendations diligently.

To further exacerbate the situation the creative wordsmiths of the fossil fuel industry have created a loophole through which the industry can begin operations before and during any monitoring or establishment of controls. The loophole is that ‘exploration’ activities although presenting the same risk factors as the production phase are still allowed to be undertaken right now.

This effectively negates the ability to obtain true baseline data for the environments against which the fossil fuel industry would be able to be held accountable to. It also means that the industry is operating without ANY of the safeguards and considerations which were deemed essential to a ‘low risk’ level.