Monitoring fracking – a local solution to global energy problems

Globally, shale gas is seen as an ever more increasingly important source of energy. However, the process of extraction, hydraulic fracturing has come under intense scrutiny.

Recently, Lichfield-based Cuadrilla Resources announced the presence of significant shale gas resources in Lancashire. If extracted on a commercial scale, domestically produced natural gas could increase the UK’s energy security.

As part of Cuadrilla’s exploration operations, it has commissioned GasClam to monitor background gas concentrations prior to operations, with the monitoring device left in the ground to measure, record and transmit gas concentrations throughout Cuadrilla’s operations.

Cuadrilla’s commission of GasClam is part of its commitment to being a responsible company within the communities it operates in. Since operations began in 2010, Cuadrilla has robust safety measures in place to ensure the surrounding environment and communities are not affected by its exploration activities.

Mark Miller, CEO of Cuadrilla, said: “The monitoring device will allow us to collect background gas levels and compare them between before, during and after our operations. Continuing with our open and transparent communications with the community, we will make this data available to the public and include this on the Cuadrilla website.”

GasClam was developed by Salamander, a University of Manchester spin out company and is a previous winner of the North West Innovation Environment Technology prize and is a local solution to the needs of a global industry.

Dr Pete Morris, from Ion Science, the global distributor of the technology, said: “We have received huge international interest for the GasClam to demonstrate that shale gas can be and is extracted safely. As gas occurs naturally from a range of sources, GasClam will provide reliable information to Cuadrilla and the surrounding community to show the level of gas and its origin.”