Schlumberger Presses for Shale-Gas Openness as Regulation Looms

[phantom power]

Sept. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Schlumberger Ltd., the world’s largest oilfield-services provider, is pressing suppliers for permission to disclose the chemicals used in a drilling process that could be slowed by regulation after spurring an increase in U.S. natural-gas production.

“We have spoken with our suppliers regarding the disclosure of their chemicals,” Schlumberger spokesman Stephen Harris said. “Our suppliers do understand the need for a level of disclosure and are working to address that need.”

At issue is hydraulic fracturing, a technique used to break through rock in shale formations and make gas flow by injecting sand, water and chemicals into the ground. Bills were filed June 9 in the U.S. House and Senate to impose a federal permitting process after environmentalists alleged that chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing contaminate groundwater supplies.

Gas producers say the liquids they inject are encased in steel and concrete until they get hundreds of feet underground, below the level of water deposits. Disclosing what chemicals are used may ease concerns by showing that the substances aren’t dangerous even if they seep into drinking water, said Vello Kuuskraa, a board member for Houston-based gas producer Southwestern Energy Co. and president of energy consulting firm Advanced Resources International Inc. in Arlington, Virginia.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601072&sid=acwzgIfw6Re8

[triple point]

1. Hydrafracking has been done for 60+ years, I'm not aware of any compromised water

from it. Doesn't mean it never happened, of course but it can't be very widespread if it has...