The California Council on Science & Technology (“CCST”) recently released its Independent Study of well stimulation in California. The report was prepared for the California Natural Resources Agency in response to Senate Bill 4 (“SB 4”).
The Study notes the following key points:
- Hydraulic fracturing in California does not use a lot of fresh water compared to other states and other human uses.
- Available evidence indicates that impacts caused directly by hydraulic fracturing or acid stimulation or by activities directly supporting these operations appear small.
- No recorded negative impacts from hydraulic fracturing chemical use in California were found; however, governmental reporting should be expanded.
- Additives used in hydraulic fracturing and acid stimulation should be evaluated to reduce any potential adverse impacts.
- The potential impacts caused by hydraulic fracturing are similar to oil development practices generally, even without the use of hydraulic fracturing.
- There is a potential for additives used in hydraulic fracturing and acid stimulation to react with other elements underground causing the chemistry to change over time.
- Fluid injected in the process of hydraulic fracturing will not likely cause earthquakes of concern.
- Oil produced in California using hydraulic fracturing emits less greenhouse gas per barrel than the average barrel imported to California.
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