Reality and opportunity – nova scotia future energy requirements, the role of shale gas development

The Triangle Project Plan

Under no circumstances was this a final, detailed plan document and throughout the text it was emphasized that there will need to be updates, further review, submissions for detailed planning approvals, as well as consultation with local communities and environmental impact studies. It was a “scoping document”. Much has changed in the industry since 2008 and a 230 or even 680 well program would today involve a much smaller footprint in terms of compact well pads, buried flow-lines, less water demand with recycled and purified water use and an improved environmental approach.

Since the submission and granting of the Production Lease there continues to be studies and dialogue with the Departments of Energy and Environment. The cessation of drilling and Review on Hydraulic Fracturing has been in place now since June 2011, effectively stopped further work. The cessation was extended in April 2012 indefinitely, with no position expected before 2014. With this in mind, a “proof of concept” program dialogue is proposed that seeks to determine if there is any development potential to access the known 69 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of natural gas resource potential (identified by independent engineers Ryder Scott) that sits in the Windsor Basin. If this were even in part realized, the resource is staggering in its size, and would be enough to supply Nova Scotia current needs for many generations. It would revitalize the Nova Scotia economy, bring government finances to surplus, provide thousands of direct and indirect jobs, and permit export by either pipeline or LNG facility. These are the potential benefits that NOFRAC ignores and offers no alternative to energy supply. Isn’t the idea of shale gas in Nova Scotia at least worth exploring if it can be done in an environmentally responsible manner?

Any development would only occur if acceptable to Nova Scotia and local communities, and the “issues” raised by NOFRAC discussed and resolved. We know that good technical solutions are available to manage environmental risk.

A 6 Well Pad in the Marcellus in Pennsylvania- flow-lines are buried, carrying produced water, gas and natural gas liquids (NGL’s) to Gas Plants and export pipelines. A small footprint, with no flare and limited use of trucking to service the site.

An individual well pad – Marcellus Gas Play – Pennsylvania – note the protected storage tanks. The wells are monitored remotely, powered by solar panel, with a separator to pass NGL’s and water to storage and gas to a buried line. The footprint is small, no gas is flared and trucking limited.