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Comprehensive Environmental Impacts and Optimization of Onshore Shale Gas Development and Delivery
Author(s) -
Bista Sangita,
Jennings Philip,
Anda Martin
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
energy technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.91
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 2194-4296
pISSN - 2194-4288
DOI - 10.1002/ente.201800871
Subject(s) - ecotoxicity , environmental science , greenhouse gas , hydraulic fracturing , oil shale , shale gas , mercury (programming language) , environmental impact assessment , life cycle assessment , environmental engineering , pollutant , global warming potential , produced water , environmental chemistry , waste management , petroleum engineering , geology , chemistry , engineering , oceanography , ecology , macroeconomics , toxicity , computer science , biology , programming language , organic chemistry , production (economics) , economics
The environmental impact of shale gas hydraulic fracturing is not completely understood. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to estimate the lifecycle environmental impact of shale gas production per mega joule (MJ) of energy extracted and delivered. The analysis is based on using CML 2001‐Apr 2015 methods in GaBi software on a case study of a shale gas well. The global warming potential (GWP100) ranges from 54 to 99 g CO 2 e /MJ with a central estimate of 72 g CO 2 e /MJ. The GWP 100, including land use change, is 230 g CO 2 e /MJ. The best‐case scenario, with no venting of the gas, has the minimum GWP 100 impact. Shale gas has a high marine ecotoxicity potential, among other environmental impacts. Bentonite contributes the most to the abiotic depletion potential elements impact. The frac water contributes the most to the freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity potential (FAETP) impact. Mercury (Hg) and radioactive elements (e.g., radon) are the major pollutants contributing to the terrestrial ecotoxicity potential impacts. The findings of this study can be used for optimization of the processes used by mining and exploration companies.