Headline: Characteristics and Risks of Unconventional Natural Gas - IASS Publishes New Fact Sheet

With the development of extraction technologies such as hydraulic fracturing, the vast unconventional natural gas reservoirs have now become accessible and are sought after as a potential new energy source. But their exploitation is also a source of controversy, in particular due to the environmental impact of the production techniques used. The shale gas ‘boom’ in the US, for instance, has sparked concerns over issues like water contamination, which are also highly relevant in the European debate. Moreover, shale gas only represents one part of the question: other sources of unconventional gas, such as coalbed methane and methane hydrates, are also under consideration and entail their own peculiarities and risks. A better understanding of these reserves is necessary in order to assess whether they could play a role in the future energy mix. This also implies framing the discussion within the wider context of energy transition processes, which also includes societal and economic aspects.

The recently published IASS Fact Sheet on “Unconventional Natural Gas” provides an overview of these resources, from their geological characteristics to estimated reserves and production techniques, with a focus on explaining the potential environmental consequences of their exploitation.

The Fact Sheet is available in PDF and ePaper format here: http://www.iass-potsdam.de/en/content/unconventional-natural-gas-32014-0

13.01.2015