[Music] I’d like to talk to you tonight
I’d like to talk to you tonight
I’d like to talk to you tonight particularly about the financial
particularly about the financial
particularly about the financial implications of fracking and the
implications of fracking and the
implications of fracking and the regulatory aspects of it I’m not going
regulatory aspects of it I’m not going
regulatory aspects of it I’m not going to do too much on the geology although
to do too much on the geology although
to do too much on the geology although that evident that comes into it people
that evident that comes into it people
that evident that comes into it people talk about the shale revolution in the
talk about the shale revolution in the
talk about the shale revolution in the US as if it’s been an enormous success
US as if it’s been an enormous success
US as if it’s been an enormous success story and this is nonsense it’s not true
story and this is nonsense it’s not true
story and this is nonsense it’s not true at all
at all
at all it’s been a financial disaster it’s a
it’s been a financial disaster it’s a
it’s been a financial disaster it’s a huge Ponzi scheme which is unsustainable
huge Ponzi scheme which is unsustainable
huge Ponzi scheme which is unsustainable and not many people know this I’m using
and not many people know this I’m using
and not many people know this I’m using the Wild West metaphor for obvious
the Wild West metaphor for obvious
the Wild West metaphor for obvious reasons but partly because there are
reasons but partly because there are
reasons but partly because there are about 12 shale basins in the US none of
about 12 shale basins in the US none of
about 12 shale basins in the US none of which have made any money overall but
which have made any money overall but
which have made any money overall but they are the one that is nearest to
they are the one that is nearest to
they are the one that is nearest to being financially feasible at the moment
being financially feasible at the moment
being financially feasible at the moment it’s called the Permian Basin in West
it’s called the Permian Basin in West
it’s called the Permian Basin in West Texas West Texas is an interesting place
Texas West Texas is an interesting place
Texas West Texas is an interesting place it’s sagebrush desert if you remember
it’s sagebrush desert if you remember
it’s sagebrush desert if you remember the film Paris Texas by VIN vendors in
the film Paris Texas by VIN vendors in
the film Paris Texas by VIN vendors in 1984 with that sad lost soul played by
1984 with that sad lost soul played by
1984 with that sad lost soul played by Harry Dean Stanton and the lovely slide
Harry Dean Stanton and the lovely slide
Harry Dean Stanton and the lovely slide guitar music of rye CUDA well all that
guitar music of rye CUDA well all that
guitar music of rye CUDA well all that was shot in the Permian Basin the big
was shot in the Permian Basin the big
was shot in the Permian Basin the big wide-open spaces of the western Texan
wide-open spaces of the western Texan
wide-open spaces of the western Texan desert so that area is a million miles
desert so that area is a million miles
desert so that area is a million miles culturally and climate climatologically
culturally and climate climatologically
culturally and climate climatologically and geologically from anything we have
and geologically from anything we have
and geologically from anything we have in the UK so it’s going to be very
in the UK so it’s going to be very
in the UK so it’s going to be very difficult to emulate it in in Britain
difficult to emulate it in in Britain
difficult to emulate it in in Britain the break-even price for the Permian
the break-even price for the Permian
the break-even price for the Permian Basin oil was estimated as an average of
Basin oil was estimated as an average of
Basin oil was estimated as an average of 61 dollars about a year ago and the
61 dollars about a year ago and the
61 dollars about a year ago and the current price of oil wind up recently
current price of oil wind up recently
current price of oil wind up recently but still only at 55 dollars so even in
but still only at 55 dollars so even in
but still only at 55 dollars so even in the best basin in the u.s. it’s uh neck
the best basin in the u.s. it’s uh neck
the best basin in the u.s. it’s uh neck anomic curiously enough no one has tried
anomic curiously enough no one has tried
anomic curiously enough no one has tried to put together a global set of figures
to put together a global set of figures
to put together a global set of figures for the overall shale bubble in the US
for the overall shale bubble in the US
for the overall shale bubble in the US because that’s what it’s been
because that’s what it’s been
because that’s what it’s been it’s about eight or ten years of peak
it’s about eight or ten years of peak
it’s about eight or ten years of peak activity peaking in 2011 and since 2015
activity peaking in 2011 and since 2015
activity peaking in 2011 and since 2015 it’s all collapsing just for the gas
it’s all collapsing just for the gas
it’s all collapsing just for the gas figures M we can calculate pretty
figures M we can calculate pretty
figures M we can calculate pretty accurately from government figures in
accurately from government figures in
accurately from government figures in the US the money made by the sale of gas
the US the money made by the sale of gas
the US the money made by the sale of gas produced by shale fracking and that’s
produced by shale fracking and that’s
produced by shale fracking and that’s the blue figure at the top of that table
the blue figure at the top of that table
the blue figure at the top of that table but the cost of doing this has been
but the cost of doing this has been
but the cost of doing this has been coerced from drilling the whales that’s
coerced from drilling the whales that’s
coerced from drilling the whales that’s the next figure down in red and then you
the next figure down in red and then you
the next figure down in red and then you have – I adore and I’ve done a
have – I adore and I’ve done a
have – I adore and I’ve done a conservative 20 percent addition for
conservative 20 percent addition for
conservative 20 percent addition for paying royalties and leases and interest
paying royalties and leases and interest
paying royalties and leases and interest payments and all that sort of thing and
payments and all that sort of thing and
payments and all that sort of thing and last but not least all these gas
last but not least all these gas
last but not least all these gas companies have survived by selling debt
companies have survived by selling debt
companies have survived by selling debt this means they offer bonds to people
this means they offer bonds to people
this means they offer bonds to people who are mug enough to buy them they sell
who are mug enough to buy them they sell
who are mug enough to buy them they sell debt which is a promise you know you
debt which is a promise you know you
debt which is a promise you know you give us your money and we promise we’ll
give us your money and we promise we’ll
give us your money and we promise we’ll pay you back in say five years time or
pay you back in say five years time or
pay you back in say five years time or six years time now if you add up all
six years time now if you add up all
six years time now if you add up all those red figures in round terms for the
those red figures in round terms for the
those red figures in round terms for the whole shale gas industry over this main
whole shale gas industry over this main
whole shale gas industry over this main period that I’m talking about here you
period that I’m talking about here you
period that I’m talking about here you can see that the red figures are in
can see that the red figures are in
can see that the red figures are in round terms double the income from the
round terms double the income from the
round terms double the income from the sale of the gas you might argue ah but
sale of the gas you might argue ah but
sale of the gas you might argue ah but we’ve done the upfront infrastructure
we’ve done the upfront infrastructure
we’ve done the upfront infrastructure investment in drilling all the whales so
investment in drilling all the whales so
investment in drilling all the whales so there’s still gas and money to be made
there’s still gas and money to be made
there’s still gas and money to be made into the future but the fact is shale
into the future but the fact is shale
into the future but the fact is shale gas wells decline very rapidly this is a
gas wells decline very rapidly this is a
gas wells decline very rapidly this is a curve that shoots down like this as
curve that shoots down like this as
curve that shoots down like this as shown in the example in the bottom
shown in the example in the bottom
shown in the example in the bottom left-hand corner of one basin the
left-hand corner of one basin the
left-hand corner of one basin the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania what
Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania what
Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania what this shows and all the other basins have
this shows and all the other basins have
this shows and all the other basins have a similar geometry all the gas or most
a similar geometry all the gas or most
a similar geometry all the gas or most of the gas is produced in the first 18
of the gas is produced in the first 18
of the gas is produced in the first 18 months to two years of the lifetime of
months to two years of the lifetime of
months to two years of the lifetime of the whale and after five to eight years
the whale and after five to eight years
the whale and after five to eight years the whale is dead now given that most of
the whale is dead now given that most of
the whale is dead now given that most of the gas wells in the US are now over
the gas wells in the US are now over
the gas wells in the US are now over five years old they’ve all had their
five years old they’ve all had their
five years old they’ve all had their life and we can’t expect much more than
life and we can’t expect much more than
life and we can’t expect much more than a dribble of future income to come out
a dribble of future income to come out
a dribble of future income to come out these whales so in other words it’s
these whales so in other words it’s
these whales so in other words it’s unsustainable just economically speaking
unsustainable just economically speaking
unsustainable just economically speaking nevermind the environmental costs now
nevermind the environmental costs now
nevermind the environmental costs now just to explain what fracking is all
just to explain what fracking is all
just to explain what fracking is all about you’ve probably familiar with
about you’ve probably familiar with
about you’ve probably familiar with these kind of diagrams and it’s all
these kind of diagrams and it’s all
these kind of diagrams and it’s all about drilling a whale vertically down
about drilling a whale vertically down
about drilling a whale vertically down to a shale horizon and then with
to a shale horizon and then with
to a shale horizon and then with technology that came in to maturity
technology that came in to maturity
technology that came in to maturity about 15 or 20 years ago
about 15 or 20 years ago
about 15 or 20 years ago you can drill horizontally along the
you can drill horizontally along the
you can drill horizontally along the shale you then apply water mixed with
shale you then apply water mixed with
shale you then apply water mixed with sand under very high pressure indeed
sand under very high pressure indeed
sand under very high pressure indeed like 50 times the pressure in your car
like 50 times the pressure in your car
like 50 times the pressure in your car tires and that literally cracks the
tires and that literally cracks the
tires and that literally cracks the shale apart the sand proppant it’s
shale apart the sand proppant it’s
shale apart the sand proppant it’s called goes into the cracks and then
called goes into the cracks and then
called goes into the cracks and then when you’ve released the pressure after
when you’ve released the pressure after
when you’ve released the pressure after you finished the fracking process the
you finished the fracking process the
you finished the fracking process the new cracks are held open by the grains
new cracks are held open by the grains
new cracks are held open by the grains of sand and this enables the oil or gas
of sand and this enables the oil or gas
of sand and this enables the oil or gas to come out and it goes back up the
to come out and it goes back up the
to come out and it goes back up the whale now these pictures always use a
whale now these pictures always use a
whale now these pictures always use a very simplified geology we call it
very simplified geology we call it
very simplified geology we call it layer-cake geology just flat layers like
layer-cake geology just flat layers like
layer-cake geology just flat layers like that and which is not anything like most
that and which is not anything like most
that and which is not anything like most of the geology in Europe and certainly
of the geology in Europe and certainly
of the geology in Europe and certainly not in Britain in the sedimentary basins
not in Britain in the sedimentary basins
not in Britain in the sedimentary basins with shale however it does seem to apply
with shale however it does seem to apply
with shale however it does seem to apply it is more or less true for a lot of the
it is more or less true for a lot of the
it is more or less true for a lot of the American shale basins but in Britain the
American shale basins but in Britain the
American shale basins but in Britain the geology is more complex
geology is more complex
geology is more complex our basins are pervaded and sliced up by
our basins are pervaded and sliced up by
our basins are pervaded and sliced up by lots of geological faults and these are
lots of geological faults and these are
lots of geological faults and these are now known by calculation and by
now known by calculation and by
now known by calculation and by empirical experience we know that they
empirical experience we know that they
empirical experience we know that they are conduits for water and fluid
are conduits for water and fluid
are conduits for water and fluid contamination to come up from a shale
contamination to come up from a shale
contamination to come up from a shale layer up to the groundwater zones the
layer up to the groundwater zones the
layer up to the groundwater zones the crucial groundwater resources near the
crucial groundwater resources near the
crucial groundwater resources near the surface of the earth so this is a
surface of the earth so this is a
surface of the earth so this is a fundamental difference between British
fundamental difference between British
fundamental difference between British shale basins and their American
shale basins and their American
shale basins and their American counterparts
now shale gas exploration started in
now shale gas exploration started in 2011 in Lancashire with Cuadrilla
2011 in Lancashire with Cuadrilla
2011 in Lancashire with Cuadrilla drilling a well at a place called pries
drilling a well at a place called pries
drilling a well at a place called pries Hall number one
Hall number one
Hall number one and they’d no sooner drilled it they
and they’d no sooner drilled it they
and they’d no sooner drilled it they went through a fault zone hahaha
went through a fault zone hahaha
went through a fault zone hahaha they said hadn’t expected and the fault
they said hadn’t expected and the fault
they said hadn’t expected and the fault moves because of the fluid being trapped
moves because of the fluid being trapped
moves because of the fluid being trapped into it and triggered some earthquakes
into it and triggered some earthquakes
into it and triggered some earthquakes so the government called a halt there
so the government called a halt there
so the government called a halt there was a moratorium on fracking they asked
was a moratorium on fracking they asked
was a moratorium on fracking they asked for a committee of experts which was set
for a committee of experts which was set
for a committee of experts which was set up by a combination of the Royal Society
up by a combination of the Royal Society
up by a combination of the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering
and the Royal Academy of Engineering
and the Royal Academy of Engineering this joint society report met it was a
this joint society report met it was a
this joint society report met it was a working group of eight people of whom of
working group of eight people of whom of
working group of eight people of whom of whom four were scientists and they
whom four were scientists and they
whom four were scientists and they reported in 2012 a year later and and
reported in 2012 a year later and and
reported in 2012 a year later and and I’m very critical of their report
I’m very critical of their report
I’m very critical of their report because they were so hung up on the
because they were so hung up on the
because they were so hung up on the problem of earthquake triggering which
problem of earthquake triggering which
problem of earthquake triggering which in my mind is quite a side issue it’s a
in my mind is quite a side issue it’s a
in my mind is quite a side issue it’s a sideshow they forgot to talk about the
sideshow they forgot to talk about the
sideshow they forgot to talk about the main issue which is the faulting in the
main issue which is the faulting in the
main issue which is the faulting in the British basins and the potential for
British basins and the potential for
British basins and the potential for pollution to go from fracking layers
pollution to go from fracking layers
pollution to go from fracking layers deep down up to the surface to affect
deep down up to the surface to affect
deep down up to the surface to affect our water resources they also very
our water resources they also very
our water resources they also very naively placed a lot of importance on a
naively placed a lot of importance on a
naively placed a lot of importance on a paper published by – Halliburton
engineering geologists published in a
engineering geologists published in a sort of house magazine and they declared
sort of house magazine and they declared
sort of house magazine and they declared from their database of about 10,000 u.s.
from their database of about 10,000 u.s.
from their database of about 10,000 u.s. frack whales that Halliburton had access
frack whales that Halliburton had access
frack whales that Halliburton had access to that the pollution from fracking down
to that the pollution from fracking down
to that the pollution from fracking down here couldn’t possibly get to the water
here couldn’t possibly get to the water
here couldn’t possibly get to the water resources up near the surface of the
resources up near the surface of the
resources up near the surface of the earth but the Halliburton guys didn’t
earth but the Halliburton guys didn’t
earth but the Halliburton guys didn’t take into account the existence of
take into account the existence of
take into account the existence of faults which is a the important thing in
faults which is a the important thing in
faults which is a the important thing in Britain
so the next part of my talk is about how
so the next part of my talk is about how and whether I should say that the expert
and whether I should say that the expert
and whether I should say that the expert committee concluded that the that
committee concluded that the that
committee concluded that the that fracking would be safe in Britain as
fracking would be safe in Britain as
fracking would be safe in Britain as long as it was properly regulated that’s
long as it was properly regulated that’s
long as it was properly regulated that’s the crucial point they made so the next
the crucial point they made so the next
the crucial point they made so the next question is is the regulation in Britain
question is is the regulation in Britain
question is is the regulation in Britain up to scratch or isn’t it and I’m going
up to scratch or isn’t it and I’m going
up to scratch or isn’t it and I’m going to look at several case histories and
to look at several case histories and
to look at several case histories and and just to continue my overall metaphor
and just to continue my overall metaphor
and just to continue my overall metaphor for this story you’ve heard in the news
for this story you’ve heard in the news
for this story you’ve heard in the news all the problems that Theresa May has in
all the problems that Theresa May has in
all the problems that Theresa May has in our cabinet including the infighting I
our cabinet including the infighting I
our cabinet including the infighting I can’t resist just showing you a photo of
can’t resist just showing you a photo of
can’t resist just showing you a photo of the of Teresa may’s cabinet at work
that’s the infighting going on at
that’s the infighting going on at westminster but seriously the regulation
westminster but seriously the regulation
westminster but seriously the regulation starts with the issue of licenses by the
starts with the issue of licenses by the
starts with the issue of licenses by the oil and gas authority it was formally
oil and gas authority it was formally
oil and gas authority it was formally debt and before that it was the
debt and before that it was the
debt and before that it was the Department of Energy they used to have a
Department of Energy they used to have a
Department of Energy they used to have a very robust system for giving out
very robust system for giving out
very robust system for giving out licenses the companies had to be very
licenses the companies had to be very
licenses the companies had to be very sound they knew what they were doing
sound they knew what they were doing
sound they knew what they were doing they had to spend lots of money drilling
they had to spend lots of money drilling
they had to spend lots of money drilling wells and so on but in recent years in
wells and so on but in recent years in
wells and so on but in recent years in the last three years the licenses have
the last three years the licenses have
the last three years the licenses have now been handed out all over the place
now been handed out all over the place
now been handed out all over the place like sweeties so that part of the
like sweeties so that part of the
like sweeties so that part of the regulatory system is failing next down
regulatory system is failing next down
regulatory system is failing next down the line we have the County Council’s
the line we have the County Council’s
the line we have the County Council’s who are supposed to issue permits to
who are supposed to issue permits to
who are supposed to issue permits to drill and they are being pressed on by
drill and they are being pressed on by
drill and they are being pressed on by the government and they are failing in
the government and they are failing in
the government and they are failing in various ways for example there was a
various ways for example there was a
various ways for example there was a recent well-drilled at broad footbridge
recent well-drilled at broad footbridge
recent well-drilled at broad footbridge by a company called you Cal you cog UK
by a company called you Cal you cog UK
by a company called you Cal you cog UK all and gas they were using an existing
all and gas they were using an existing
all and gas they were using an existing permit issued by West Sussex County
permit issued by West Sussex County
permit issued by West Sussex County Council where they quite explicitly had
Council where they quite explicitly had
Council where they quite explicitly had to go from the drilling pad here down
to go from the drilling pad here down
to go from the drilling pad here down through a fault zone but more or less
through a fault zone but more or less
through a fault zone but more or less vertically to an Orthodox sandstone
vertically to an Orthodox sandstone
vertically to an Orthodox sandstone layer here a conventional target for
layer here a conventional target for
layer here a conventional target for finding oil but what did you cog do they
finding oil but what did you cog do they
finding oil but what did you cog do they started at the drill pad and went off in
started at the drill pad and went off in
started at the drill pad and went off in a different direction and at a very
a different direction and at a very
a different direction and at a very shallow angle off to explore some shale
shallow angle off to explore some shale
shallow angle off to explore some shale so they are clearly breaching the
so they are clearly breaching the
so they are clearly breaching the permission their planning permission to
permission their planning permission to
permission their planning permission to drill but West Sussex County Council
drill but West Sussex County Council
drill but West Sussex County Council have done nothing about it
have done nothing about it
have done nothing about it there’s another recent example of Angus
there’s another recent example of Angus
there’s another recent example of Angus Energy drilling it broken in Surrey and
Energy drilling it broken in Surrey and
Energy drilling it broken in Surrey and here the County Council Surry County
here the County Council Surry County
here the County Council Surry County Council in this case were a bit heavier
Council in this case were a bit heavier
Council in this case were a bit heavier on the company they insisted that you
on the company they insisted that you
on the company they insisted that you don’t have permission to drill and it
don’t have permission to drill and it
don’t have permission to drill and it turns out to cut a long story short that
turns out to cut a long story short that
turns out to cut a long story short that the permit that the company were relying
the permit that the company were relying
the permit that the company were relying on actually ran out ten years ago but
on actually ran out ten years ago but
on actually ran out ten years ago but again what’s happened all that’s
again what’s happened all that’s
again what’s happened all that’s happened is that Surry County Council
happened is that Surry County Council
happened is that Surry County Council have now asked them to apply
have now asked them to apply
have now asked them to apply retrospectively
retrospectively
retrospectively to for permission to drill the well that
to for permission to drill the well that
to for permission to drill the well that they’ve already drilled so again they’re
they’ve already drilled so again they’re
they’ve already drilled so again they’re rolling over and this aspect of the
rolling over and this aspect of the
rolling over and this aspect of the legislation and the regulation is
legislation and the regulation is
legislation and the regulation is clearly extremely weak in other words
clearly extremely weak in other words
clearly extremely weak in other words the under the present climate run by
the under the present climate run by
the under the present climate run by this current Tory government at
this current Tory government at
this current Tory government at Westminster the companies feel they can
Westminster the companies feel they can
Westminster the companies feel they can run a horse and cart through the whole
run a horse and cart through the whole
run a horse and cart through the whole permitting system I don’t think it’s
permitting system I don’t think it’s
permitting system I don’t think it’s working at all well now this is a rather
working at all well now this is a rather
working at all well now this is a rather complex slide and with good reason
complex slide and with good reason
complex slide and with good reason first of all I want to draw your
first of all I want to draw your
first of all I want to draw your attention to the pre sole number one
attention to the pre sole number one
attention to the pre sole number one well shown as a dotted line over at the
well shown as a dotted line over at the
well shown as a dotted line over at the left-hand side of the picture this is
left-hand side of the picture this is
left-hand side of the picture this is the famous well that was drilled in 2011
the famous well that was drilled in 2011
the famous well that was drilled in 2011 and triggered the earthquakes well that
and triggered the earthquakes well that
and triggered the earthquakes well that worked well produced some flow back
worked well produced some flow back
worked well produced some flow back which is highly saline of radioactive
which is highly saline of radioactive
which is highly saline of radioactive and polluted water from the fracking
and polluted water from the fracking
and polluted water from the fracking process and it was stored on-site it was
process and it was stored on-site it was
process and it was stored on-site it was only one tanker fool wasn’t that much in
only one tanker fool wasn’t that much in
only one tanker fool wasn’t that much in global terms but this highly
global terms but this highly
global terms but this highly contaminated water was stored on-site no
contaminated water was stored on-site no
contaminated water was stored on-site no water waste treatment plant was
water waste treatment plant was
water waste treatment plant was available to deal with it so the company
available to deal with it so the company
available to deal with it so the company eventually secretly dumped it in the
eventually secretly dumped it in the
eventually secretly dumped it in the Manchester Ship Canal but what’s
Manchester Ship Canal but what’s
Manchester Ship Canal but what’s happened the Health and Safety Executive
happened the Health and Safety Executive
happened the Health and Safety Executive just gave them retrospective permission
just gave them retrospective permission
just gave them retrospective permission to do what they’d already done now the
to do what they’d already done now the
to do what they’d already done now the next main point of this slide is that
next main point of this slide is that
next main point of this slide is that Cuadrilla are now in the process of
Cuadrilla are now in the process of
Cuadrilla are now in the process of drilling
drilling
drilling fracking at two sites pressed a new road
fracking at two sites pressed a new road
fracking at two sites pressed a new road on the left and a bit further to the
on the left and a bit further to the
on the left and a bit further to the right they’ll be drilling next year at
right they’ll be drilling next year at
right they’ll be drilling next year at Rosica wood and they’re going to be
Rosica wood and they’re going to be
Rosica wood and they’re going to be fracking in the zones marked in blue
fracking in the zones marked in blue
fracking in the zones marked in blue where the whale turns horizontal now you
where the whale turns horizontal now you
where the whale turns horizontal now you can see from the complexity of the
can see from the complexity of the
can see from the complexity of the thoughts cutting through all this
thoughts cutting through all this
thoughts cutting through all this geology it’s going to be very hard for
geology it’s going to be very hard for
geology it’s going to be very hard for them to avoid inadvertently or otherwise
them to avoid inadvertently or otherwise
them to avoid inadvertently or otherwise fracking through fault zones and thereby
fracking through fault zones and thereby
fracking through fault zones and thereby permitting contaminated fluid to get up
permitting contaminated fluid to get up
permitting contaminated fluid to get up to near the surface now here’s where the
to near the surface now here’s where the
to near the surface now here’s where the Environment Agency comes in they are
Environment Agency comes in they are
Environment Agency comes in they are supposed to regulate things like the
supposed to regulate things like the
supposed to regulate things like the purity of water and the only issue
purity of water and the only issue
purity of water and the only issue permits to drill if they think
permits to drill if they think
permits to drill if they think everything is safe now the biggest
everything is safe now the biggest
everything is safe now the biggest groundwater resource in northwest
groundwater resource in northwest
groundwater resource in northwest England lies just to the right that is
England lies just to the right that is
England lies just to the right that is to the east
to the east
to the east it’s where that yellow rock which is a
it’s where that yellow rock which is a
it’s where that yellow rock which is a sandstone is at the surface of the earth
sandstone is at the surface of the earth
sandstone is at the surface of the earth and the Environment Agency story about
and the Environment Agency story about
and the Environment Agency story about how the groundwater system works is
how the groundwater system works is
how the groundwater system works is quite correct over on the east side that
quite correct over on the east side that
quite correct over on the east side that is rain falls on the bowl and fails and
is rain falls on the bowl and fails and
is rain falls on the bowl and fails and it passes through fault zones into that
it passes through fault zones into that
it passes through fault zones into that sandstone and this is where there’s a
sandstone and this is where there’s a
sandstone and this is where there’s a lot of water Wales to feed the whole
lot of water Wales to feed the whole
lot of water Wales to feed the whole Manchester Liverpool conurbation but
Manchester Liverpool conurbation but
Manchester Liverpool conurbation but what the EEA says is somehow rather the
what the EEA says is somehow rather the
what the EEA says is somehow rather the major fault cutting right through this
major fault cutting right through this
major fault cutting right through this whole system the woods fault fault is a
whole system the woods fault fault is a
whole system the woods fault fault is a barrier to flow so this fault is
barrier to flow so this fault is
barrier to flow so this fault is exceptional unlike the other faults just
exceptional unlike the other faults just
exceptional unlike the other faults just to the east now I disagree with them mmm
to the east now I disagree with them mmm
to the east now I disagree with them mmm the EA is saying that all the sandstone
the EA is saying that all the sandstone
the EA is saying that all the sandstone containing water under the filed and
containing water under the filed and
containing water under the filed and above where Cuadrilla is about to start
above where Cuadrilla is about to start
above where Cuadrilla is about to start fracking is just saline water and is of
fracking is just saline water and is of
fracking is just saline water and is of no interest to the public as far as a
no interest to the public as far as a
no interest to the public as far as a water resources concern but I found I’ve
water resources concern but I found I’ve
water resources concern but I found I’ve done my own research on this I have
done my own research on this I have
done my own research on this I have found two historical water wells which
found two historical water wells which
found two historical water wells which were drilled very deep down about three
were drilled very deep down about three
were drilled very deep down about three or 400 metres into that sandstone one of
or 400 metres into that sandstone one of
or 400 metres into that sandstone one of them was for a cotton spinning mill and
them was for a cotton spinning mill and
them was for a cotton spinning mill and at Kirkham in the 19th century it had a
at Kirkham in the 19th century it had a
at Kirkham in the 19th century it had a giant steam engine which used water
giant steam engine which used water
giant steam engine which used water that well and in the mid 20th century
that well and in the mid 20th century
that well and in the mid 20th century there was another deep well into that
there was another deep well into that
there was another deep well into that sandstone used for a dairy and for
sandstone used for a dairy and for
sandstone used for a dairy and for cheese making now I don’t believe that
cheese making now I don’t believe that
cheese making now I don’t believe that either of those two wells were using
either of those two wells were using
either of those two wells were using highly saline water they must have been
highly saline water they must have been
highly saline water they must have been tapping into fresh water contrary to
tapping into fresh water contrary to
tapping into fresh water contrary to what the EA would have us believe
what the EA would have us believe
what the EA would have us believe furthermore I’ve rediscovered going to
furthermore I’ve rediscovered going to
furthermore I’ve rediscovered going to the west of Preston new road there’s a
the west of Preston new road there’s a
the west of Preston new road there’s a fault there mark just to the west which
fault there mark just to the west which
fault there mark just to the west which actually had been mapped by two separate
actually had been mapped by two separate
actually had been mapped by two separate oil industry outfits back in the 70s or
oil industry outfits back in the 70s or
oil industry outfits back in the 70s or 80s and all I’ve done is remap it and it
80s and all I’ve done is remap it and it
80s and all I’ve done is remap it and it goes right up to the surface just to the
goes right up to the surface just to the
goes right up to the surface just to the west to press a new road this could be a
west to press a new road this could be a
west to press a new road this could be a conduit for water which I believe goes
conduit for water which I believe goes
conduit for water which I believe goes all the way from east to west and out
all the way from east to west and out
all the way from east to west and out towards the Irish Sea but some of it
towards the Irish Sea but some of it
towards the Irish Sea but some of it could come up that fault zone and this
could come up that fault zone and this
could come up that fault zone and this is really account for why there is a
is really account for why there is a
is really account for why there is a little lake marked in a little blob on
little lake marked in a little blob on
little lake marked in a little blob on the map there which is fed by four
the map there which is fed by four
the map there which is fed by four freshwater Springs and this is another
freshwater Springs and this is another
freshwater Springs and this is another sign that there may be fresh water
sign that there may be fresh water
sign that there may be fresh water coming back up to the surface so all
coming back up to the surface so all
coming back up to the surface so all that is at risk of contamination if
that is at risk of contamination if
that is at risk of contamination if Cuadrilla goes ahead and Frank’s now I
Cuadrilla goes ahead and Frank’s now I
Cuadrilla goes ahead and Frank’s now I want to turn to two pernicious
want to turn to two pernicious
want to turn to two pernicious definitions introduced by the government
definitions introduced by the government
definitions introduced by the government and put in without consultation into the
and put in without consultation into the
and put in without consultation into the infrastructure Act of 2015 the Tory
infrastructure Act of 2015 the Tory
infrastructure Act of 2015 the Tory government have decided that fracking is
government have decided that fracking is
government have decided that fracking is a national infrastructure project and
a national infrastructure project and
a national infrastructure project and that’s why they’re taking powers away
that’s why they’re taking powers away
that’s why they’re taking powers away from local people and County Council’s
from local people and County Council’s
from local people and County Council’s they are taking it all back to
they are taking it all back to
they are taking it all back to Westminster and they’re overruling the
Westminster and they’re overruling the
Westminster and they’re overruling the wishes of several local councils the
wishes of several local councils the
wishes of several local councils the first definition which is specious is
first definition which is specious is
first definition which is specious is that they define what is meant by
that they define what is meant by
that they define what is meant by unconventional resources from
unconventional resources from
unconventional resources from conventional resources in a different
conventional resources in a different
conventional resources in a different way from the scientific convention and
way from the scientific convention and
way from the scientific convention and the way we do this is by the
the way we do this is by the
the way we do this is by the permeability of the rocks and the figure
permeability of the rocks and the figure
permeability of the rocks and the figure that universally used is below a value
that universally used is below a value
that universally used is below a value of naught point 1 which is the line
of naught point 1 which is the line
of naught point 1 which is the line running down in the middle with this
running down in the middle with this
running down in the middle with this diagram the stuff to the left
diagram the stuff to the left
diagram the stuff to the left that’s an unconventional resource and of
that’s an unconventional resource and of
that’s an unconventional resource and of course it includes shale shown by the
course it includes shale shown by the
course it includes shale shown by the black area to the left very low
black area to the left very low
black area to the left very low permeability rock over to the right
permeability rock over to the right
permeability rock over to the right there is sandstone and limestone but
there is sandstone and limestone but
there is sandstone and limestone but there is also things called tight
there is also things called tight
there is also things called tight limestone’s and sandstones which are
limestone’s and sandstones which are
limestone’s and sandstones which are unconventional and they need stimulation
unconventional and they need stimulation
unconventional and they need stimulation which is either acidification or
which is either acidification or
which is either acidification or fracking to get the oil or gas out of
fracking to get the oil or gas out of
fracking to get the oil or gas out of them but the government has
them but the government has
them but the government has simplistically defined in a kind of
simplistically defined in a kind of
simplistically defined in a kind of schoolboy manner limestone and sandstone
schoolboy manner limestone and sandstone
schoolboy manner limestone and sandstone is conventional shale is unconventional
is conventional shale is unconventional
is conventional shale is unconventional this is going to enable companies now
this is going to enable companies now
this is going to enable companies now operating particularly in Sussex to get
operating particularly in Sussex to get
operating particularly in Sussex to get round the rules and what is meant by
round the rules and what is meant by
round the rules and what is meant by unconventional or not and the second
unconventional or not and the second
unconventional or not and the second specious definition introduced by the
specious definition introduced by the
specious definition introduced by the government is because we’re talking
government is because we’re talking
government is because we’re talking about high volume hydraulic fracturing
about high volume hydraulic fracturing
about high volume hydraulic fracturing meaning the kind of fracking used to
meaning the kind of fracking used to
meaning the kind of fracking used to break up shale what is the definition of
break up shale what is the definition of
break up shale what is the definition of high volume the government has picked a
high volume the government has picked a
high volume the government has picked a figure a very high figure ten thousand
figure a very high figure ten thousand
figure a very high figure ten thousand cubic meters of water per well this is
cubic meters of water per well this is
cubic meters of water per well this is the threshold to define it as high
the threshold to define it as high
the threshold to define it as high volume fracking but if you look at data
volume fracking but if you look at data
volume fracking but if you look at data published by the US Geological Survey
published by the US Geological Survey
published by the US Geological Survey some of their hydrogeologists they’ve
some of their hydrogeologists they’ve
some of their hydrogeologists they’ve used a huge database so this is an
used a huge database so this is an
used a huge database so this is an empirical evidence based result of over
empirical evidence based result of over
empirical evidence based result of over a quarter of a million fracked Wells in
a quarter of a million fracked Wells in
a quarter of a million fracked Wells in the US as shown by that map there what
the US as shown by that map there what
the US as shown by that map there what you can say just to cut a long story
you can say just to cut a long story
you can say just to cut a long story short from their results is that it will
short from their results is that it will
short from their results is that it will be unconventional as a gas well if
be unconventional as a gas well if
be unconventional as a gas well if you’ve used more than two and a half
you’ve used more than two and a half
you’ve used more than two and a half thousand cubic meters of water and for
thousand cubic meters of water and for
thousand cubic meters of water and for an oil well even lower two thousand
an oil well even lower two thousand
an oil well even lower two thousand cubic meters and above that you can say
cubic meters and above that you can say
cubic meters and above that you can say it’s unconventional so the government’s
it’s unconventional so the government’s
it’s unconventional so the government’s figure has been deliberately set in
figure has been deliberately set in
figure has been deliberately set in Britain very high at ten thousand cubic
Britain very high at ten thousand cubic
Britain very high at ten thousand cubic meters this will enable for example
meters this will enable for example
meters this will enable for example companies in Sussex and drilling in the
companies in Sussex and drilling in the
companies in Sussex and drilling in the Weald they may decide to frack a well
Weald they may decide to frack a well
Weald they may decide to frack a well and stop at nine thousand nine hundred
and stop at nine thousand nine hundred
and stop at nine thousand nine hundred cubic meters and then
cubic meters and then
cubic meters and then say we’re not frightened because legally
say we’re not frightened because legally
say we’re not frightened because legally this is not high volume hydraulic
this is not high volume hydraulic
this is not high volume hydraulic fracking and this is what the Royals
fracking and this is what the Royals
fracking and this is what the Royals allowed you that you know they’re not
allowed you that you know they’re not
allowed you that you know they’re not fracking so we have an Orwellian
fracking so we have an Orwellian
fracking so we have an Orwellian situation here of Newspeak new
situation here of Newspeak new
situation here of Newspeak new definitions introduced by the Tory
definitions introduced by the Tory
definitions introduced by the Tory government so just to round off fracking
government so just to round off fracking
government so just to round off fracking um not only is a ton economic in the
um not only is a ton economic in the
um not only is a ton economic in the u.s. it has never made a profit and it
u.s. it has never made a profit and it
u.s. it has never made a profit and it certainly won’t be economic in Britain
certainly won’t be economic in Britain
certainly won’t be economic in Britain where the costs of doing so if it ever
where the costs of doing so if it ever
where the costs of doing so if it ever gets going will be far higher than the
gets going will be far higher than the
gets going will be far higher than the u.s. it’s a polluting kind of industry I
u.s. it’s a polluting kind of industry I
u.s. it’s a polluting kind of industry I think that is now well known and it
think that is now well known and it
think that is now well known and it certainly doesn’t have a social license
certainly doesn’t have a social license
certainly doesn’t have a social license to operate and I take my hands off to
to operate and I take my hands off to
to operate and I take my hands off to the protesters although we should call
the protesters although we should call
the protesters although we should call them protectors of the environment who
them protectors of the environment who
them protectors of the environment who are now out there at the various
are now out there at the various
are now out there at the various drilling sites in North Yorkshire the
drilling sites in North Yorkshire the
drilling sites in North Yorkshire the East Midlands Lancashire of course and
East Midlands Lancashire of course and
East Midlands Lancashire of course and down in the Weald in Sussex they are out
down in the Weald in Sussex they are out
down in the Weald in Sussex they are out there every day trying to stop the
there every day trying to stop the
there every day trying to stop the industry in its tracks to delay it and
industry in its tracks to delay it and
industry in its tracks to delay it and obstruct it and challenge it legally and
obstruct it and challenge it legally and
obstruct it and challenge it legally and even taking direct action I support what
even taking direct action I support what
even taking direct action I support what they are doing and in fact in the long
they are doing and in fact in the long
they are doing and in fact in the long run they will be doing the financial
run they will be doing the financial
run they will be doing the financial investors a favor because eventually I
investors a favor because eventually I
investors a favor because eventually I think these investors will wake up and
think these investors will wake up and
think these investors will wake up and realize the game is not worth the candle
realize the game is not worth the candle
realize the game is not worth the candle is never going to make any money so
is never going to make any money so
is never going to make any money so we’ll pull the plug on it and this is
we’ll pull the plug on it and this is
we’ll pull the plug on it and this is what I hope will happen reluctantly in
what I hope will happen reluctantly in
what I hope will happen reluctantly in Britain and in France where I live down
Britain and in France where I live down
Britain and in France where I live down in the south there was a there was a
in the south there was a there was a
in the south there was a there was a license to frack awarded in 2009 to a
license to frack awarded in 2009 to a
license to frack awarded in 2009 to a small company it was called the planes
small company it was called the planes
small company it was called the planes of the longer dock license a huge
of the longer dock license a huge
of the longer dock license a huge license but France had the wisdom to
license but France had the wisdom to
license but France had the wisdom to cancel all the fracking licenses in 2011
cancel all the fracking licenses in 2011
cancel all the fracking licenses in 2011 so since then we have not had a problem
so since then we have not had a problem
so since then we have not had a problem in our locality in France or anywhere
in our locality in France or anywhere
in our locality in France or anywhere else for that matter
else for that matter
else for that matter with the danger of being in a fracking
with the danger of being in a fracking
with the danger of being in a fracking zone but recently president macro has
zone but recently president macro has
zone but recently president macro has gone even further he announced in August
gone even further he announced in August
gone even further he announced in August that France will no longer
that France will no longer
that France will no longer no longer permit any future oil or gas
no longer permit any future oil or gas
no longer permit any future oil or gas exploration . so france is really
exploration . so france is really
exploration . so france is really looking forward to a future without
looking forward to a future without
looking forward to a future without fossil fuels and i think this is a good
fossil fuels and i think this is a good
fossil fuels and i think this is a good thing and of course other countries as
thing and of course other countries as
thing and of course other countries as you’ve heard no doubt have already
you’ve heard no doubt have already
you’ve heard no doubt have already banned fracking France Germany Scotland
banned fracking France Germany Scotland
banned fracking France Germany Scotland of course Northern Ireland Republic of
of course Northern Ireland Republic of
of course Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland Wales the state of New York the
Ireland Wales the state of New York the
Ireland Wales the state of New York the state of Maryland Bulgaria and so on
state of Maryland Bulgaria and so on
state of Maryland Bulgaria and so on they have all banned fracking on sound
they have all banned fracking on sound
they have all banned fracking on sound environmental and legal reasons and I
environmental and legal reasons and I
environmental and legal reasons and I just hope that England will be dragged
just hope that England will be dragged
just hope that England will be dragged into this new era and will follow suit
into this new era and will follow suit
into this new era and will follow suit sooner rather than later thank you very
sooner rather than later thank you very
sooner rather than later thank you very much
much
much [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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