This article is from page 8 of the 2013-02-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
FRACKING may not be needed to extract the large reserve of natural gas from the Clare Basin.
In his first ever Irish interview on the subject, Nick Elwes of UK company Enegi-oil, told The Clare People that fracking is just one option being explored for the Clare gas reserve. Mr Elwes also confirmed that Enegi-oil will be applying for an exploration licence for the Clare Basic before the approaching deadline.
“We are aware of the opposition [to hydraulic fracturing or fracking]. As, when and if we get a licence, it is too early to say how we would drill it and whether we would frack,” he told The Clare People .
“We are in the process of applying for that [a exploration license]. We have an option over the area which, as you’ve seen in our announcement last year, showed the prospectively of it and we must apply for an exploration licence before the end of this month.
“It’s too early to confirm at this stage how we’re going to take it forward as we’ve only proved there is some prospective there. We are try- ing to get to the next stage, [which is] the exploration licence. I wouldn’t like to comment on alternative methods at this early stage.”
Hydraulic fracture or fracking is a controversial technique used to release the natural gas from rock. It involves pumping water and other liquids deep underground under high pressure to break shale rock and release natural gas trapped inside.
Opponents to fracking say it could contaminate ground water systems over a large area, especially in West Clare where the shale rock layer is unusually shallow.
A number of anti-fracking groups, including Clare Fracking Concerned, have formed in recent months. It is also unclear if fracking will create any local jobs if it is allowed to go ahead.
“It’s too early to say [how many jobs will be created]. I don’t mean to be difficult but, at this early stage, I wouldn’t like to comment on things like that. It depends on how the project progresses,” continued Mr Elwes.
Public submissions to the EPA regarding the use of fracking in Ireland must be sent by email on or before March 8, 2013. Tue19February13