What the Frack?
December 04 2012 - 8:00AM
Marketwired
T-shirts bearing "What the Frack?" logos have not only become
fashion items but are shaping public opinion about hydraulic
fracturing (fracking).
The protests from Pennsylvania to Poland are vocal,
sophisticated, fast paced and appeal to anyone from young, hungry,
campaign-aware urban students to staunchly conservative
smallholders and, through the intelligent use of social media, the
messages are crossing geographic, social, age, cultural and
economic backgrounds with increasing momentum. The industry, on the
other hand, has been caught napping and is now at a disadvantage as
it plays catch up. Whilst the technique of hydraulic fracturing has
been around for decades and has been highly successful in many
places, the protesters have successfully fought for (and got)
moratoriums, delays, suspension and bans on further drilling in
many places around the world in just two years.
So, how did a protest movement achieve so much with such limited
funds and in so little time? Are the costs of law suits and
managing protests too costly? Is the future to continue hydraulic
fracturing in existing sites or to explore new geographies? Are the
risks just too high? These are just some of the questions posed and
answered in a new Control Risks' report "The Global Anti-Fracking
Movement, what it wants, how it operates and what's next".
The document is essential reading for anyone in the oil and gas
industry as it gives the background to today's situation and some
of the risks that the industry faces in geographies around the
world.
Extract from "The Global Anti-Fracking Movement, what it wants,
how it operates and what's next" authored by Jonathan Wood,
Associate Director of Global Analysis, at Control Risks:
2012 is likely to set the high-water mark for the anti-fracking
movement. Regulatory reviews have been concluded in key
battlegrounds, including New York, Bulgaria, South Africa and New
South Wales, setting the tone for stricter long-term management of
the unconventional gas industry. Technological innovations are
reducing the environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing by, among
other things, increasing the efficiency of wastewater recycling and
storage, reducing the likelihood of seismic events, and changing
the mix of fracturing fluids to reduce water usage and fracturing
pressure. The anti-fracking movement itself - though far from
exhausted - is grappling with the consequences of its successes,
struggling to maintain momentum after winning tighter regulation,
moratoriums and bans. These dynamics point to three trends that
could guide the future of the anti-fracking movement: expansion
into new jurisdictions; incorporation into broader issue advocacy;
and radicalisation of direct action against the unconventional gas
industry.
See www.controlrisks.com for the full report.
About Control Risks
Control Risks is a global risk consultancy specialising in
political, security and integrity risk. The company enables its
clients to understand and manage the risks of operating in complex
or hostile environments. Through a unique combination of services,
wide geographical reach and by adopting a close partnership
approach with clients, Control Risks helps organisations
effectively solve their problems and realise new opportunities
across the world.
Contacts: Control Risks Christopher Levy + 1 713 920
9414chris.levy@controlrisks.com Control Risks Kimberly Mikec +1 202
449 3332kimberly.mikec@controlrisks.com www.controlrisks.com