Who Has Banned Fracking?

Fracking – hydraulic fracturing – is a way of accessing extra fuel resources like gas and oil from underground. Pressurised fluid is pumped into the ground, creating cracks through which the oil and gas can flow. It’s been protested against in the UK and consequently fracking projects have been halted in Britain. But has it actually been banned anywhere?

Victorian ban

The most recent ban on fracking has come in the state of Victoria, Australia. After over 1,600 submissions opposing fracking, the government announced they would ban all onshore unconventional gas exploration. They’re the first Australian state to take this action, and with evidence of the impact on agriculture jobs as well as the environment, they will be hoping others soon follow.

United States

Despite surveys revealing a large opposition to the process, fracking has been going on in the United States for over 50 years. They have the second highest shale gas reserve in the world, after China. But like Australia, things might be changing. In 2012, Vermont became the first state to prohibit fracking practices. This wasn’t particularly huge news because their gas reserves are actually pretty small anyway. However, the states of New York and Maryland – which have more sizeable resources – have banned fracking more recently.

Elsewhere

In terms of nations, there is a small but growing list of countries that have banned fracking. France’s landmark ban in 2011 has been one of the most significant moments. The government determined that there was a risk of harm coming to those not involved in the process at no fault of their own. Germany, Tunisia, the Netherlands, Bulgaria have since introduced similar bans or moratoriums (temporary bans).

British protests against fracking have been common since 2012, but it is not prohibited across the UK yet. Scotland seem to be leading the way with a moratorium imposed until there is evidence of its safety and the British government has granted this. However, they still seem to set on exploiting the resources in England and Wales.

Complex process

There is far more to fracking than ‘pumping water into the ground’. The pressurised fluid actually has its own complications. It’s one of the environmental concerns because of the amount of water needed and the transportation of it. But it also raises questions of wastewater. How can the wastewater be removed, tested, treated and re-used? ‘The Role of Oil in Water Testing in Unconventional Oil and Gas Operations’ explores the potential problems with water use and re-use in processes like fracking.