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For the Netherlands it's obvious. If there's shale gas, we need to get it out.
At best, test drilling will tell us we can drill a hole in the ground.
I'm opposed to shale gas extraction.
Shale gas in the Netherlands. Do we really need it, is it safe?
Or should we just leave it where it is? It's a much debated topic.
Like the planned test drillings near the town of Boxtel. But what is it?
Shale gas can be found worldwide, probably also in the Netherlands...
for example in Noord-Brabant and the IJsselmeer polders.
Shale gas is natural gas found at a depth between 1500 and 3000 metres.
Extraction is challenging, because it's embedded in closed pores.
After drilling it will not automatically rise to the surface...
as opposed to ordinary natural gas, found in open pores.
Under high pressure, cracks are made in the rock layers, a process called fracking.
Frack liquid is 95 percent water, 4 percent sand...
and 1 percent chemicals, including anticorrosive agents.
The sand will open up the pores, causing the gas to flow.
The drill consists of metal tubing encased in cement...
also to protect the water table, typically located at a 100 to 300 metre depth.
Shale gas drilling will put pressure on the immediate environment...
caused by drilling rig installations, fracking liquid transports, etcetera.
Shale gas extraction has made the United States self-supporting.
Dutch shale gas reserves are estimated at 200 to 500 billion cubic metres.
To give you some idea: We consume 45 billion cubic metres of gas each year.
Shale gas would add an impressive 50 to 130 billion euros to the state coffers.
But do we really need this gas? How important is it?
98 percent of all Dutch households are connected to the natural gas grid.
As a fuel, natural gas accounts for 60 percent of all generated electricity...
coal for 20 percent, oil for 6 percent and nuclear energy for 4 percent.
Biomass accounts for 5 percent and wind and solar energy also for 5 percent.
Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel and the most flexible resource...
for complementing the fluctuating solar and wind energy output.
'Natural gas and shale gas combined give us a long-term, sustainable energy mix.'
That's what those in favour claim. 'We've been fracking for 30 years.
So let's do a test drill first and then decide on further action.'
'No, we know too little about it yet. What about earthquake risks?
And it may pollute our drinking water. Plus it's a burden on the area around it.'
It's all about weighing pros and cons.
I'm opposed to shale gas extraction. It's a hazardous technique...
with fracking posing a risk to the quality of our groundwater.
So water companies are up in arms. Besides, we don't really need it.
We still have plenty of fossil energy. It's only 200 to 500 billion cubic metres...
which is nothing compared to the huge Groningen natural gas reserves.
For the Netherlands it's obvious. If there's shale gas, we need to get it out.
The money it generates can support the Dutch energy-intensive industry...
but it should be done in a technologically proper way, respecting the environment.
But not using this enormous amount of energy stored in the ground...
that can help us make the transition to sustainable energy would be a waste.
Most of us would like to see a swift transition to sustainable energy.
Committing ourselves to shale gas would slow down this transition.
The 300 visitors to the NOGEPA energy symposium also discuss this issue.
People from the energy industry, NGOs, scientists and politicians.
Together, we'll talk about and reflect on the future of our energy supply.
NOGEPA's Jo Peters stresses the importance of dialogue...
to collaboratively develop a solid energy vision for our country...
with natural gas facilitating sustainability.
The results of a nation-wide opinion poll give rise to much debate.
When asked if shale gas should be extracted, 35 percent are in favour...
while 65 percent do not agree.
81 percent support test drilling, 19 percent do not.
Shale gas extraction? Test drilling? Expert opinions are also divided.
Is Greenpeace in favour of shale gas? -No, we're not.
It's worth exploring, I feel.
Don't do it, not until we see proof that shale gas extraction is necessary.
And there is no proof.
To assess the shale gas potential test drillings are needed.
We need to establish if extraction is economically and commercially viable.
If so, we should start drilling, in a safe and responsible manner.
We still have the Groningen field, which can produce natural gas cheaply.
North Sea wind turbines can be used to extract gas from water.
I see farmers producing biomass, green gas is an emerging market.
I'm not sure if there is a business case at all for producing shale gas here.
But we can at least sell our expertise.
First we need to make sure it's actually there.
This requires test drillings, taking test samples and further research.
If it turns out it's commercially viable, we'll take it from there.
I heard a broad range of opinions, and one thing that struck me was...
that I found myself in agreement with most arguments raised.
So let's focus on what we agree on, rather than on points of disagreement.
Thank you for watching Aardgas Update.