Posted on 10/06/2011 7:31:42 AM PDT by thackney
Regulators moved on two tracks Wednesday to stiffen standards for natural gas drilling and force companies to shed more light on the chemicals used in the process.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar told reporters that the federal government is poised to advance new requirements on shale gas extraction from public lands as soon as next month.
Meanwhile, during a public hearing in Austin, speakers told Texas regulators what kind of disclosure requirements should be imposed on gas drillers. The Texas Railroad Commission is developing specific requirements under a new Texas law mandating that companies reveal the chemicals used to hydraulically fracture wells.
The hydraulic fracturing process involves blasting a mix of water, sand and some chemicals underground and at high pressures to unlock natural gas trapped in dense shale formations.
The Railroad Commission’s draft rule would require companies to list ingredients on a public website, but it would make exceptions for chemicals considered to be proprietary or trade secrets. All information, including proprietary details, would have to be revealed to health professionals and emergency workers, under the plan.
Rice University chemistry professor Andrew Barron told the commission the proposal goes further than Food and Drug Administration requirements for consumer products. For example, he said, soft drink makers aren’t required to disclose what’s in “flavoring” listed on soda labels.
Because common materials in fracturing fluids include thickening agents used in ice cream and chemicals used to purify drinking water, disclosure could go a long way to easing public concerns about the process, Barron said.
“Once you understand what is being used in a frac job is similar to what you’re consuming every day, it becomes demystified,” he said.
The oil and gas industry already has begun providing more details on the fluids...
(Excerpt) Read more at fuelfix.com ...
No idea or job potential too big, no tax matter too small - for the West Wing Clown Show of Felon/Cretins to screw up.
I really really want the guillotine resurrected.
And totally worn out on the Obamaloon administration and EPA officials following our upcoming revolution.
This drilling and job creation must be shut down now before it disrupts the Obama economic recovery!
Obama: How can we stop it?
Salazar: I got you covered!
Mike
And then, blame it on the Republicans.
I think this is one of those “Feel Good” Regulation Thingies. I’m pretty sure that all chemicals on a wellsite have to be documented at the wellsite already.
These people call themselves progressives, but everything they do is designed to burden, obstruct or interfere with progress. Anything that is good for America, they oppose.
DEFUND the Interior Department.
DEFUND the EPA.
DEFUND the Texas Railroad commission.
For God's sake DEFUND SOMETHING!!!!!
In Pennsylvania, we don’t need their regulations! We are taking care of ourselves!
Further proof that we do not need the EPA or Department of Interior.
The Wall Street Journal however reports good news today in its story, “Edible Ingredients Used to Drill for Gas.” Apparently Halliburton and Baker Hughes have developed fracking chemicals using fatty acids and other ingredients found in toothpaste, ketchup, ice cream and beer. The enemies of cheap natural gas of course won’t congratulate Halliburton for being a good steward of the planet and switch their position. I wonder where the next attack will come from. Fatty acids in the edible fracking chemicals lead to an obesity epidemic in the caribou population?
Hey now, we are doing just fine in Texas. We have rules and disclosure requirements, but those are working alright with the Oil/Gas Industry.
Nearly half the drilling rigs active in the US are drilling in Texas. Don't fix what isn't broken.
The industry has put out the information. We cannot get the lame-stream media to cover it.
Halliburton - Hydraulic Fracturing 101
http://www.halliburton.com/public/projects/pubsdata/hydraulic_fracturing/fracturing_101.html,/a>
Hydraulic Fracturing:
Unlocking America’s Natural Gas Resources
http://www.api.org/policy/exploration/hydraulicfracturing/upload/HYDRAULIC_FRACTURING_PRIMER.pdf
http://www.energyfromshale.org/
API hosts hydraulic fracturing workshop
http://www.api.org/Newsroom/api-hosts-workshop.cfm
Halliburton’s newest fluid system - CleanStim Formulation
http://www.halliburton.com/public/projects/pubsdata/hydraulic_fracturing/CleanSuite_Technologies.html#
As you might expect from a formulation that’s made entirely of materials sourced from the food industry, many of the constituents used in the CleanStim™ formulation are the same ones you’ll find in everyday items ranging from baby wipes to beer – and at similar concentrations. But as we note below, some of these materials are still considered hazardous based on their physical or health effects, a determination required by the federal government for all materials imported or manufactured in the United States. That’s why we insist on employing the best practices available when it comes to handling those fluids, transporting them, storing them, and using them to help our customers produce energy for the American people.
Someone please post a pic of the scene from Planet of the Apes... where Charlton sees the Statue of Liberty and understands... The caption:
“Damn obama to hell”!
LLS
Obama must be arrested.
Liberals push to keep the US in the Middle East.
It’s their jobs program.
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