Arguments for and against fracking: public dialogue about technical, economic and regulatory aspects
Munich, 22 November 2023
The USA intensively uses hydraulic fracturing, in other words fracking; yet, Germany does not use this method of extracting unconventional natural gas from deep layers of rock. In light of higher energy prices, public discussion on whether Germany should apply fracking techniques is gaining momentum. At acatech am Dienstag on 14 November, Karen Pittel (ifo Institute, member of the acatech Executive Board and the ESYS Board of Directors), Hans-Joachim Kümpel (acatech member, former BGR President) and Matthias Hartung (Wintershall Dea Deutschland GmbH) discussed the arguments for and against the use of fracking technology in Germany.
The evening event illuminated the technology, safety and economic points of view, the regulatory and legal questions, as well as the interaction of these with the ongoing transformation of the nation’s energy systems. The participants also discussed how and why fracking has not gained wide acceptance in Germany to date. acatech President Jan Wörner introduced the topic and emphasised the necessity of resilient energy supply. Diversified supply networks shall, according to him, make the supply of energy more independent of individual sources and import routes. He formulated questions for the discussion: can fracking make us more independent? What is the time frame? What is the ecological footprint?
What is fracking and where is it used?
The process of fracking involves pumping a fluid (i.e. frac fluid) into bedrock using high pressure. This then creates cracks that are left open by additives in the fluid used, allowing the natural gas in the layer of rock to escape. Fracking is employed in both conventional and unconventional deposits. These differ in their geological properties:
- Conventional deposits are described as deposits in which hydrocarbon is collected in porous reservoir rock. From this, natural gas can be extracted without the use of fracking. However, fracking is used in conventional deposits in part in order to maintain profitable production rates. Fracking in conventional deposits has been employed in Germany since the 1960s, about 300 times, and is permitted today in this form. Compared to its use in unconventional deposits it is seen less controversial here as different processes (e.g. regarding the type and amount of chemicals used) are applied.
- The term unconventional deposits is fuzzy and not used in a standardised way. Generally speaking, unconventional deposits exhibit a very low porosity so that to extract gas, the rock must be broken and cracks (i.e. fracs) created. Fracking is therefore required for extracting natural gas from unconventional deposits. For this reason, deep drilling is performed into the gas-containing layers of sediment and then continued by employing horizontal drilling. Through the drilling, the frac fluid is pumped into the bedrock. As the layers of rock usually consist of shale, the natural gas produced in this way is often called “shale gas”.
Reference: Gierds, Jörn; Stephanos, Cyril; Erlach, Berit; Fischedick, Manfred; Henning, Hans-Martin; Matthies, Ellen; Pittel, Karen; Renn, Jürgen; Sauer, Dirk Uwe; Spiecker known as Döhmann, Indra: Fracking: an Option for Germany? Opportunities, Risks and Uncertainties with Fracking in Unconventional Deposits (in German), Academy Project “Energy Systems of the Future” (ESYS), 2023, https://doi.org/10.48669/esys_2023-5, p. 4
Opportunities and risks of fracking technology
Hans-Joachim Kümpel, former President of the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources and acatech member, co-authored an acatech position paper from 2015 on the topic. In his presentation, he introduced the fracking technology.
He likewise estimated the opportunities and risks of fracking – also against the backdrop of the new discussion about fracking since last year due to the shortfall of Russian natural gas. He explained at length the controversial discussion within politics and society surrounding fracking, in which the focus is not always necessarily on facts. He referred to deceptive images in the articles “Rohstoffe und Ressourcen” (in German) and “Für ein Fracking-Verbot in Österreich!” (in German). These suggest, according to his words, that layers of rock near the surface of the earth and, above all, near groundwater deposits are fracked – however, at least 1,000 metres of rock are between fracs and groundwater; a contamination of groundwater with frac fluid is therefore ruled out. Hans-Joachim Kümpel also referred to narratives which have not always corresponded to the latest knowledge and have, in part, also been purposefully deceptive – for instance the pictures of burning water faucets. His conclusion, as already stated in the acatech POSITION from 2015: a general fracking ban is in any case not based on science and technological facts.
Can national shale gas extraction increase the assurance of power supply in Germany?
Karen Pittel, ifo Institute, Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, participates in the Academy’s energy projects as acatech Executive Board member and member of the ESYS Board of Directors. The economist co-authored the ESYS paper “Fracking: an Option for Germany? Opportunities, Risks and Uncertainties with Fracking in Unconventional Deposits” and introduced the main key statements in her talk.
According to the estimates given by representatives from the economy, 6 to 12 per cent of Germany’s current natural gas consumption could be covered. However, the uncertainty is great regarding the reserves which could be gained in the medium term from fracking, as well as the development of demand for natural gas in Germany and internationally. Compared to the import of fracking gas from the USA, a national extraction in the short term would certainly lead to fewer carbon emissions: the transport via ship and the liquefaction needed for this cost energy and therefore lead to additional emissions. Moreover, a portion of the natural gas escapes across the transport chain and the methane gas released causes a much more intense greenhouse gas effect than carbon dioxide. However, it is unclear if the amounts available on international markets as a result of decreased demand in Germany would be delivered to other regions in the world. Accordingly, the contribution of German fracking to climate protection, particularly in the long term, cannot be evaluated conclusively, according to Karen Pittel. Likewise, the ESYS group represented by Karen Pittel estimates the risks to the environment and health to be low. Should the fracking ban be lifted, gas extraction would presumably be possible in three to four years’ time at the earliest, due to the technical and legal steps necessary. National shale gas extraction would then increase the supply security in Germany in the medium term.
Conditions for the willingness of private enterprises to invest
Matthias Hartung from Wintershall Dea Deutschland GmbH drew on the aspect of economic feasibility and addressed the topic of the conditions needed for private enterprises to be willing to make investments. This depends significantly on planning security. Investments in Germany will only be possible if society is accepting of them, if politics has the will to support them and the legal framework for them is given. After all, without a clear and reliable legal framework, the oil and gas companies would continue to avoid making any extensive investments, which are necessary over many years, to take advantage of the possible potential of Germany’s shale gas. Perhaps we can learn from wind energy, Hartung explained. Here, too, there have been difficulties in gaining acceptance, as the disadvantages of the facilities (e.g. changes to the landscape) were felt first and foremost by the communities where they are located. Acceptance has frequently risen quickly when wind turbines have come into the picture that have a kind of profit share or forms of participation for society and where communities or landowners have shares in the wind energy company. Such public–private partnerships could lead to solutions that enable everyone to profit.
Can fracking have a positive effect on climate protection in Germany?
In the discussion, moderated by Marc-Denis Weitze, acatech Office, the topic of fracking having a positive effect on climate protection in Germany was initially evaluated. When it comes to liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is imported to Europe from the USA, more carbon emissions result due to transport and liquefaction – this comes in addition to comparably lax regulations in some US states. In total, the carbon emissions (based on the unit of energy) caused by the LNG imported from the USA amounts to approximately those of a coal-fired power station in Germany. In terms of fracking gas from Germany, this would amount to only half. Karen Pittel emphasised that the balance has to be considered within a global context, not just based on individual processes. This balance is admittedly fraught with uncertainties. For instance, there’s uncertainty about whether a national extraction would reduce US exports of fracking gas or, rather, shift it to other countries, where it could then possibly replace more carbon-intensive energy sources.
Karen Pittel highlighted that the ESYS paper does not provide a recommendation, but instead sounds out a scientific and neutral basis for options and can therefore serve as a basis for decision-making. It is clear that a basis for a general ban on fracking is not considered. And, finally, the economic players would have to decide on making investments in this field.
Acceptance of new technologies
Questions of acceptance (and non-acceptance) were also discussed: where does acceptance or non-acceptance come from, and how can more acceptance be gained for fracking if a decision is made in favour of it in Germany? The currently high energy prices are certainly a reason why fracking has now once again become a topic of discussion. However, Hans-Joachim Kümpel showed little hope that the tide will turn once again. In his view, it is now urgent that this kind of debate direction, in which it is hardly possible to weigh up the chances and risks based on facts, be avoided in future. CCS is a further, current field in which false information has apparently already created much uncertainty.
Matthias Hartung noted that in addition to fracking and CCS, geothermal systems should also be considered when it comes to the question of acceptance of technology “below the surface of the earth”. The technological competencies needed are similar, making them closely linked.
In his closing speech, Jan Wörner underscored a challenge of technology communication: namely that representatives of interested bodies often selectively inform and communicate. The interdisciplinary discussion at acatech am Dienstag, however, enables different perspectives to be discussed within a dialogue on the current and controversial topics of technology.