In algeria, Shale gas extraction raises fears of experts from the possibility of impact on the health status of citizens and direct threat to the country's reserves of water and geological nature of the desert, which makes the exploitation of this type of gas, an uncalculated risk for its consequences for the environment.
Algeria reserves of shale gas ranks among the top ten in the world:
According to estimates of specialists, the Algerian stock of shale gas is estimated about 17 thousand billion m3.
Recently the first well of shale gas is drilled in the basin of Ahnet, located in south of In Salah, which will be followed by two others, where studies have been completed on an area of 180 thousand km2, revealed the enormous energy of shale gas exceeds 600 million m3 / km2
Shale gas ...? The Poisoned Treasure ?:
Specialists in the Environment confirmed that the "shale gas" may not threaten the Algerian life out of direct consumption, but the risks come as a result of extraction processes that require the use of dangerous chemicals and techniques of hydraulic fracturing, the latter of which may cause pollution of groundwater in the desert and the transfer of disease infection cancer, as a result of the presence of quantities of gas "benzene" , which is a gas causes cancer diseases ,and other diseases caused by water pollution by quantities of radioactive elements such as uranium.
As geologists confirm that the method of extraction of this gas cause serious geological hazard and environmentals damage, which prompted many to label this type of gas as " The Poisoned Treasure."
As geologists confirm that the method of extraction of this gas causes serious geological and environmental damage, which prompted many to label this type of gas as the "poisoned treasure."
A global movement to anti-exploitation of shale gas :
Thousands of demonstrators took in many countries of the world on the occasion of World Day against shale gas exploitation, to protest against the exploitation of this gas by the global petroleum companies, at a time when the government launched through the Ministry of Energy and Mines in the projects of shale gas exploitation in the south country.
A group of environmental activists and citizens and specialists and environmental associations concerned with the environmental field and the agricultural and forest, across different Arab and foreign countries, staged a peaceful Protests to raise awareness about the seriousness of shale gas extraction, in terms of drained nearly 11 million liters of fresh water, and the risk of the use of chemicals that can cause cancerous diseases and toxic when combined in the water during the extraction process in order to break up the rock , and denounced the silent of the ministries of environment, health and industry on this issue, and "Global Frackdown" condemned the propaganda campaigns launched by the international oil companies to justify shale gas exploitation projects.
The american company "Chevron" has decided to suspend its projects of the exploitation of shale gas in Romania, due to a wave of opposition protests in Romania over the past three months, while France confirmed the law of July 13, 2011, which prohibits the use of hydraulic fracturing technique used in drilling for shale gas, to close file that provoked controversy recently.
Expansion of peaceful protests and sit-ins against shale gas in the south and the north of Algeria :
The sit organized by the residents of In Salah, Tamanrasset in Southern Algeria continues for a fifty six day in a row, against drilling the first well to exploit shale gas in the region.
This peaceful protests and sit-ins are expanded on the occasion of the anniversary of the nationalization of hydrocarbons (2/24/1972) to include several cities of cities of Algeria. In Salah city, all the municipalities of Tamanrasset, Ouargla, recorded a record turnout.
The northern cities, the capital, Boumerdes, Batna, Chlef, Medea, Sidi Bel Abbes, Mostaganem, Oran and others, knew the same mood of the vigils of solidarity with the people of the South, carrying banners crossed through their rejection of the project of shale gas exploration in the south of Algeria, asserting that shale gas poses a threat to groundwater, air, agriculture, health, and wildlife.
7 Comments
Thank you Rohan :)
Posted 20-03-2015 08:47
Shale gas must be restricted for its eco-damaging aspects. It is definitely not recommended.
Thanks for the post.
Posted 18-03-2015 21:39
It has been to start drilling for shale gas after falling oil prices in global markets, so the government sees in it a substitute for oil, but as you said it's not recommendable energy source for our future because the exploitation of shale gas causes the depletion of groundwater, and the elimination of agriculture.
Posted 13-03-2015 06:50
Thank you for your attraction Christy Lee, :)
Posted 13-03-2015 06:47
Thank you Anthony for your interaction :) , Yes the protest is peaceful ,and it also reference to the gravity of the gas
Posted 13-03-2015 06:42
Algeria is well known for its rich reservoir in natural gas and oil. But I didn't know that it has rich shale gas also. Many holes are blocked in the U.S. as it highly threats the foundation and the underground water. Shale gas is definitely a powerful alternative for oil peak but I don't think it's recommendable energy source for our future.
Posted 11-03-2015 14:12
That is the problem with most extraction process the chemicals used are often harmful to the environment. i love the way the citizens are going about the protest. Nice one Abdessamad B
Posted 10-03-2015 05:15