Fracking requires a minimum distance of at least 0.6 kilometres from sensitive rock strata

Fracking requires a minimum distance of at least 0.6 kilometres from sensitive rock strata by ScienceBlog, April 24, 2012
It is believed to be the first analysis of its type and could be used across the world as a starting point for setting a minimum distance between the depth of fracking and shallower aquifers used for drinking water. … Researchers from Durham University, Cardiff University and the University of Tromsø looked at thousands of natural and induced fractures from the US, Europe and Africa. … Fracture heights are important as fractures have been cited as possible underground pathways for deep sources of methane to contaminate drinking water. … Professor Richard Davies, Director of Durham Energy Institute, Durham University, said: “Based on our observations, we believe that it may be prudent to adopt a minimum vertical separation distance for stimulated fracturing in shale reservoirs. Such a distance should be set by regulators; our study shows that for new exploration areas where there is no existing data, it should be significantly in excess of 0.6 km. … “Minimum vertical separation distances for fracturing operations would help prevent unintentional penetration of shallow rock strata.” … The team accepts that predicting the height and behaviour of fractures is difficult.

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