Shale Gas and Fracking: State of the Art
Organised by the Energy Science Center of ETH Zürich, under the auspices of the Swiss Gas & Water Industry Association and the Swiss Competence Center for Energy Research
Shale gas, produced by hydraulic fracturing (fracking) of tight rock formations, seems on one hand to be transforming the world‘s energy outlook thanks to its abundance (including Europe), whilst on the other, extracting it is controversial and fiercely opposed, due to environmental concerns regarding land use and ground water resources.
This one-day workshop contributed to the dialogue by providing the scientific and technical background and a platform for an in-depth discussion involving key stakeholders.
Downloadable presentations
Welcome
Prof. Marco Mazzotti, Prof. Jan-Claude Weber, Prof. Domenico Giardini
Technology overview
Prof. Marco Mazzotti - Professor of Process Engineering, ETHZ - Chariman of the board of the Energy Science Center
DownloadTechnology overview (PDF, 3.6 MB)
Advanced geophysical methods for exploration and monitoring
Prof. Johan Robertsson, Professor of Exploration and Enviromental Geiphysics, ETHZ
DownloadAdvanced geophysical methods for exploration and monitoring (PDF, 4.1 MB)
Shale gas exploration: Water related issues
Marion Junhans, Risk assessment group, Ecotox Center, Eawag - EPFL
DownloadShale gas exploration: Water related issues (PDF, 3.3 MB)
Shale gas: The enviromental performance from the life cycle perspective
Christian Bauer, Technology Assessment Group, PSI
DownloadShale gas: The enviromental performance from the life cycle perspective (PDF, 1.6 MB)
Shale gas and fracking related induced seismicity: Lessons from abroad and implications for Switzerland
Prof. Stefan Wiemer, Professor of Seismology ETHZ - Director of Swiss Seismogical Service
Resources and perspectives for Switzerland
Werner Leu, Geoform, Geological Consulting and Studies
DownloadResources ans perspectives for Switzerland (PDF, 4.8 MB)
Fracking - a hazardous extraction technology for what?
Elmar Grosse-Ruse, WWF Switzerland, Climate and Energy
DownloadFracking - a hazardous extraction technology for what? (PDF, 475 KB)
Unconventional Hydrocarbons: The discrepancy between public perception and scientific fact
Peter Burri, President Swiss Association of Energy Geoscientists SASEG - Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of GeoEnergie Suisse