Preliminary geological investigations in NRW No deep drilling and fracing activities
The exploration of unconventional natural gas deposits for shale gas in Europe is still in its infancy. This is very different to the situation in the USA, where research into these deposits has been carried out since the 1980’s. According to a recent study, in the USA it took 20 years of research, analyses and exploration wells until shale gas could be produced commercially. In Europe we will also require a learning and exploration phase. That is a major challenge.
At the moment there are numerous exploration projects taking place in Europe – e.g. in Germany, Sweden, the UK, Poland and Hungary. These projects aim to examine whether, from the economic and ecological perspective, shale gas production in Europe can even be considered.
In Germany there are various research projects in this area. The Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), for example, is investigating the overall potential in Germany on behalf of the German economics ministry. Wintershall is conducting a three-year research project in the concessions “Rhineland” and “Ruhr” in North-Rhine Westphalia together with the University of Cologne. What is important to note here: there will be no deep drilling or fracing operations whatsoever as part of this project, just shallow wells to obtain rock samples and scientific investigations on the geological features.
The focus of the scientific investigations lies on shale horizons that occur near the surface in certain areas and are therefore easy to investigate geologically. Our experts are currently in the planning and preparation stage to determine where these rock surveys can be conducted in our concessions. These evaluations are focusing on the concession “Ruhr”. Various locations for the rock samples have now been examined and selected very carefully internally. These are located outside nature, water or habitat protection areas. Now the logistic and infrastructural conditions have to be clarified and the consent of third-parties (land owners) has to be obtained. This is the only way to subsequently (at the earliest in 2013) take a decision on whether the production of shale gas in Germany is economically viable and environmentally safe.
At the moment there are numerous exploration projects taking place in Europe – e.g. in Germany, Sweden, the UK, Poland and Hungary. These projects aim to examine whether, from the economic and ecological perspective, shale gas production in Europe can even be considered.
In Germany there are various research projects in this area. The Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), for example, is investigating the overall potential in Germany on behalf of the German economics ministry. Wintershall is conducting a three-year research project in the concessions “Rhineland” and “Ruhr” in North-Rhine Westphalia together with the University of Cologne. What is important to note here: there will be no deep drilling or fracing operations whatsoever as part of this project, just shallow wells to obtain rock samples and scientific investigations on the geological features.
The focus of the scientific investigations lies on shale horizons that occur near the surface in certain areas and are therefore easy to investigate geologically. Our experts are currently in the planning and preparation stage to determine where these rock surveys can be conducted in our concessions. These evaluations are focusing on the concession “Ruhr”. Various locations for the rock samples have now been examined and selected very carefully internally. These are located outside nature, water or habitat protection areas. Now the logistic and infrastructural conditions have to be clarified and the consent of third-parties (land owners) has to be obtained. This is the only way to subsequently (at the earliest in 2013) take a decision on whether the production of shale gas in Germany is economically viable and environmentally safe.
