Unconventional natural gas development (UNGD) in shale formations, often referred to as 'fracking,' is a controversial subject for which the public needs accessible and reliable data in order to make well-informed decisions. Data that are collected are not always published online, hindering regulatory transparency and public access to critical information. Such was the case when the safety of UNGD became a point of contention in the United States. Until at least 2010, the locations of wells drilled, wells permitted, and violations in the U.S. were only accessible by conducting a file review through each state's regulatory agency. By the time that regulatory bodies began to make online data available for public consumption, considerable uncertainty and concern had developed. This situation led to the launch of FracTracker.org. The FracTracker Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the public's understanding of the impacts of the global shale gas and oil industry by collecting, interpreting, and sharing data through FracTracker.org. This presentation will demonstrate the capabilities of the site's geographic information system and discuss how FracTracker.org is currently being utilized. The information being transmitted provides awareness and information to protect public health, the environment, and socioeconomic well-being from the potential impacts of UNGD. Developing collaborations outside of the U.S. is of significant interest to the FracTracker Alliance. A similar system could be used to satisfy the emergent international demand for UNGD data and maps.
展开▼
