Dr Claire Curtis Thomas- Resources & Energy Symposium 2012

Debunking the fears associated with Shale Gas and Fracking

Dr Claire Curtis-Thomas C.Eng FIMechE FIET Companion FIGEM

Chief Executive Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers

May 22nd 2012

Presentation Summary The Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers and our role

Shale Gas – A UK Energy Miracle

Global activities

Fear and its antecedents

Coalitions of the concerned

Messages

Missionaries

Glorious Endings

The Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers and our role

Established in 1863

Develops Gas Standards used throughout the

world

Embodies highest professional standards

Conducts research delivers training and technical

seminars

Active public engagement program

IGEM produce trusted technical standards which are designed to protect the employee and environment

IGEM works with industry and government bodies to deliver cutting edge practice.

Standards are circulated to industry for peer review before publication

Subject include, safety, transmission, metering, transmission and distribution

Recommendations of IGEM report Shale Gas: A UK energy miracle Nov 11

• Flow back water to open pits designed to cope with 1 in 300 year rain event

• Extension of existing Environment Agency remit

• Development of an IGEM standard which reflects best practice

• Constant seismic and bore monitoring after seismic activity, specifically for detection of fugitive emissions

• Companies need to develop CRS program which resonates with local communities and now

Report based on research, site visits interviews with government agencies, and vested interest groups

What’s happening in the UK

Fracking is a nightmare! Toxic and radioactive water pollution. Tap water you can set on fire. Earthquakes. Runaway climate change. To produce expensive gas that will soon run out. So why are we doing it? Our present system is addicted to fossil fuels but we are running out fast. As a result the system is turning to more and more extreme measures to feed it’s habit. Welcome to the world ofextreme energy. Tar Sands, Mountain Top Removal, Deep Water Drilling, Coal Bed Methane and Shale Gas are all symptoms of this scramble to suck the last and most difficult to reach drops out of our planet.

Australia: Country and city unite against fracking May 2012

Jacinta Green, President of Stop CSG Sydney said: “Our group formed in response to learning that a CSG well had been approved in our backyard — St Peters — without even talking to us. “We joined in with what is surely the most diverse display of support for a single issue, the largest social movement Australia has ever seen. Never before have so many people with so many differing opinions and backgrounds agreed on a few simple messages.

Activities which threaten

Confusion and protection response

Fear and protest

Components of fear

Types of Fear Rational

• Rational fears, unlike irrational fears, work with the human fight or flight response to danger. When a human sees something that it fears then the human mind will start its instinctive processes to prepare the body “to help you survive a dangerous situation by preparing you to either run for your life or fight for your life (thus the term "fight or flight"). Fear – and the fight-or-flight response in particular – is an instinct that every animal possesses”

Irrational

• Irrational fear, also known as an unhealthy fear or a phobia, is a persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear of a specific thing or situation that compels one to avoid it, despite the awareness and reassurance that it is not dangerous. Phobias can have a great variety of causes, with the most common comprising of: traumatic events, a combination of genetic predisposition mixed with environmental and social causes, social component[s], or cultural influences, and danger being associated to things and situations that we cannot prevent or control

Unequivocal support

Rational

Fear

Irrational

Fear

Individuals interested by or obsessed with Fracking

The Spectrum of the interested

The concerned coalition

Policy Developers

Politicians

Rational Public

Irrational Public

Funders

General Public

Press

We’re very interested in CSG and Fracking and

we are very interested in you …..

General Public

Rational Public

Irrational Public

Press Politicians Policy Formers

Credible balanced representatives

Regular communications

Publish detailed rebuttal

Regular briefings – one on one

Regular briefings – one on one

Regular briefings one on one

Positive Press Stories

Positive press stories

Protect reputation

Instant response to technically inaccurate story lines

Specific local reports

Technical referenced reports

Education Credible balanced representation

Local stories, nurture interest

Community groups support

Independent peer review

Positive Community presence

Positive community presence

Invite to technical briefings

Consultation International comparisons

Conventional media

Conventional Media

Multi media emphasis on social network

Multi media Encourage debate - witnesses

Conventional media

The right message, the right way

Credible messengers? General Public

Rational Public

Irrational Public

Press Politicians Policy Makers

Balanced company representatives

Balanced company representatives

Balanced company representatives

Head of company policy

Head of Company

Head of Company

Credible academics/credible industry sources

Third party Appropriately qualified subject specialists

Credible academics/credible industry sources

Credible academic/expert industry sources

Without exception – ideally all must be good communicators

And finally.. Professional Institutions have a vital role to play in debunking myths. Are you supporting your local Institutions to do a better job?

Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers – intelligence led Advocacy

May 22nd 2012

On behalf of the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers and our many Members here in Australia, I want to thank you and the organisers of the resources and energy symposium for the opportunity of addressing you today. Best wishes for your future.