In the face of international scrutiny, Canadian natural gas producers have developed new guiding principles for hydraulic fracturing that guide water management and improved water and fluids reporting practices for shale gas development in Canada. The principles were created by members of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and apply to all CAPP natural gas producing members, large and small, operating in the country .
“Protecting Canada’s water resources is fundamental to our social licence to operate and to grow,” said CAPP president Dave Collyer. “Canadians have told us they want more information as to how industry uses and protects water. We respect that request, and these CAPP principles articulate our water management objectives and water protection practices, as well as our focus on improving our water performance over time.”
CAPP says its principles were created with the understanding that some provinces are working on regulation, and the association expects the principles to complement potential future regulatory requirements. From the website:
CAPP’s Guiding Principles for Hydraulic Fracturing
Canada’s shale gas and tight gas industry supports a responsible approach to water management and is committed to continuous performance improvement. Protecting our water resources during sourcing, use and handing is a key priority for our industry. We support and abide by all regulations governing hydraulic fracturing operations, water use and protection.
In addition, we commit to following these guiding principles for hydraulic fracturing.
- We will safeguard the quality and quantity of regional surface and groundwater resources, through sound wellbore construction practices, sourcing fresh water alternatives where appropriate, and recycling water for reuse as much as practical.
- We will measure and disclose water use with the goal of continuing to reduce our effect on the environment.
- We will support the development of fracturing fluid additives with the least environmental risks.
- We will support the disclosure of fracturing fluid additives.
- We will continue to advance, collaborate on and communicate technologies and best practices that reduce the potential environmental risks of hydraulic fracturing.
CAPP is also developing recommended practices to support the guiding principles for hydraulic fracturing.
