Dipl.-Ing. Helmut Schneble, Umweltplanung Bullermann Schneble
Since 2008 ExxonMobil is conducting a exploration project in some areas of the german states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. It is to be clarified, if the assumed resources of natural gas from unconventional reservoirs can be produced. In context with the discussion of planning intentions (including the use of fracking technology: production of unconventional natural gas) questions concerning issues like traffic/transport/land use/noise arose, that are to be answered.
Meanwhile the basic evaluation has been concluded.
Especially the following facts have been reviewed (project effects):
- land use: exploration, field development, development of clusterfields
- development of infrastructure: drilling process, fracking-process, gas production: extent / dimensions of facilities, particularly type and degree of building and infrastructural facilities
- groundwater protection measures (on the surface, like paving, water retention etc.)
- measures to secure topsoil, planting measures
- construction of drilling rigs (time, traffic, portion of trucks)
- operation of drilling rigs (noise, traffic, relevant emission sources)
- duration / timeframe / parameters of the different steps / phases
- number of wells in one exploration area, potential well development field, distance between well pads
You can only describe the cause/effect relations to landscape connected objects of protection due to quality, because the exact locations of well pads are unknown. Depending on the specific location following cause/effect relations could be particularly relevant (selection):
| Objects of protection | effect factors / possible disruptions (dependent on the specific location) |
|---|---|
| Human beeings | noise (traffic, drilling-/fracking-process), exhaust fumes, light emissions effects on issues of recreation / change in accessibilities, road connections, visual disruptions: negative impact on views/sights |
| soil | Land use/paving (drilling rig concluding pathways), loss of soil-functions, impacts on recreation areas and agricultural sectors (farming and forestry land) |
| water | collection/discharge of rainwater run-off from sealed areas; during production of gas: infiltration of unpolluted rainwater |
| air, climate | release of exhaust fumes (operation of a diesel electrical power generator) |
| landscape | Particularly: landscape scenery, disruption of the diversity, the character and the beauty of landscape by the establishing of infrastructure (drilling rig) |
| Biological diversity | Land use/loss of ecosystems, indirect effects: including fragmentation effects (well pad, road systems, grid-bound infrastructure), noise, light, activities |
| cultural and material assets. | if applicable, disturbance of cultural assets / archaeological monuments by land use |
Emphasis is put on measures of conflict prevention/reduction and nature conservation (compensation, planting); remaining lack of knowledge is revealed. For the illustration of possible cause/effect relations / disturbances 3D visualisations and animations have been created, that particularly show the intervention and impact on a landscape area.
Impact on the spatial level: With a size of the exploration areas of more than several 100 km², an area-wide exploitation of resources requires a large number of well pads.
The effects on landscape and landscape connected environmental factors are not only to be considered concerning one well pad, but in context with the spatial extension and development of whole exploration areas.
Considering the contradicting demands of protection and land use, a well structured and organized development of unconventional natural gas is required on the spatial level. Furthermore it is to be checked, which planning tools / proceedings are to be used to achieve a environmental and spatial compatibility during the unconventional natural gas development.
