Environmental Impacts and Countermeasures for Hydraulic Fracturing in Shale Gas Development

Shale gas is a kind of clean and efficient energy resource and chemical raw material. Hydraulic fracturing is the popular technology for extracting shale gas from extremely tight shales by enhancing porosity and permeability. However, the environmental impacts of such technology have aroused public concerns, including earthquakes, water contamination and water consumption and so on. In this article, the author reviewed the main environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing in the US and China's shale gas development practice, and then analyzed the mechanism for such possible impacts and the facts in development practice. Furthermore, the author summarized the countermeasures for these environmental impacts and provided advice for shale gas development in environment-responsible manners. The author advised: (1) strengthening science and technology innovation for new fracturing fluids and waste treatment; (2) formulating laws, regulations and standards for evaluation and management; (3) optimizing supervision and management and popular science propaganda. (paper)