Analisi Tecnico-Economica Di Condensatori Ad Aria Per Cicli Frigoriferi Di Grande Taglia

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Analisi Tecnico-Economica Di Condensatori Ad Aria Per Cicli Frigoriferi Di Grande Taglia POLITECNICO DI MILANO Facoltà di Ingegneria Industriale Corso di Laurea in Ingegneria Energetica Analisi tecnico-economica di condensatori ad aria per cicli frigoriferi di grande taglia Relatore: Ing. Matteo ROMANO Tesi di Laurea di: Marco GIRLANDA Matr. 719500 Anno Accademico 2010 - 2011 Indice Generale Sommario 1 La risorsa gas naturale ......................................................................... 14 1.1 Il gas naturale e i processi di estrazione ...................................... 14 1.2 Risorse convenzionali e non convenzionali di gas naturale......... 15 1.3 Le riserve mondiali di gas naturale .............................................. 16 1.4 Supply cost ................................................................................... 18 1.5 Le riserve non convenzionali ....................................................... 20 2 Estrazione offshore di gas naturale ...................................................... 23 2.1 Obiettivi principali ....................................................................... 23 2.2 Impianti di produzione galleggianti (FPS) ................................... 25 3 Lavorazione del gas naturale ............................................................... 28 3.1 Composizione tipica .................................................................... 28 3.2 Trattamenti ................................................................................... 31 3.2.1 Rimozione di olio e condensati ...................................... 32 3.2.2 Rimozione del mercurio ................................................. 32 3.2.3 Rimozione dell’acqua ..................................................... 33 3.2.4 Rimozione di CO2 e H2S ................................................ 34 3.2.5 Rimozione dei Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) ................... 36 3.3 Liquefazione del gas naturale ...................................................... 39 4 Condensatori ad aria ............................................................................ 41 4.1 Descrizione dei componenti ......................................................... 42 4.2 Metodi di calcolo per la progettazione......................................... 49 4.3 Ventilatori aspiranti e prementi: vantaggi e svantaggi ................ 53 4.3.1 Criteri di scelta dei ventilatori ........................................ 55 4.4 Controllo e regolazione dei condensatori ad aria ......................... 56 4.4.1 Controllo in condizioni particolari ................................. 58 5 Analisi parametriche sul programma Hudson .................................. 62 5.1 Potenza di ventilazione specifica alla potenza di condensazione 62 5.2 Peso specifico alla potenza di condensazione .............................. 66 5.3 Volume interno specifico alla potenza di condensazione ............ 68 5.4 Area frontale specifica alla potenza di condensazione ................ 69 5.5 Bare tube area specifica alla potenza di condensazione .............. 70 5.6 Costo totale specifico alla potenza di condensazione .................. 72 pag. 3 6 Riproduzione dello scambiatore a geometria Hudson con il programma Aspen ....................................................................................... 74 6.1 Analisi al variare del numero di passaggi .................................... 82 6.2 Dimensionamento Aspen con numero di passaggi libero ............ 87 6.3 Analisi parametrica in funzione della velocità dell’aria, per scambiatore dimensionato da Aspen ............................................ 95 6.4 Modifiche allo scambiatore dimensionato da Aspen: riduzione del numero di ranghi .......................................................................... 98 6.5 Modifiche allo scambiatore dimensionato da Aspen: variazione della lunghezza dei tubi (+50%) ................................................ 106 6.6 Ulteriori verifiche: rating Aspen su due geometrie differenti fornite dal programma Hudson .................................................. 108 6.7 Analisi al variare dei parametri economici assunti .................... 112 7 Analisi parametrica su geometrie LUVE ......................................... 116 7.1 Raccolta dati dal programma LUVE, per scambiatore alimentato a propano puro .............................................................................. 116 7.2 Riproduzione tramite Aspen delle geometrie LUVE ................. 134 8 Analisi su scambiatori Hudson alimentati con miscela di idrocarburi ..................................................................................... 141 8.1 Scelta del metodo di calcolo delle proprietà della miscela ........ 141 8.2 Dimensionamento di Aspen di scambiatore a geometria Hudson alimentato con miscela di idrocarburi – caso di alta pressione .. 143 8.3 Analisi parametrica al variare del numero di passaggi – miscela di idrocarburi ad alta pressione ...................................................... 148 8.4 Analisi parametrica al variare della velocità dell’aria sulla batteria – miscela di idrocarburi ad alta pressione .................................. 151 8.5 Modifiche allo scambiatore dimensionato da Aspen: riduzione del numero di ranghi ........................................................................ 154 8.6 Modifiche allo scambiatore dimensionato da Aspen: variazione della lunghezza dei tubi (+50%) ................................................ 156 8.7 Dimensionamento di Aspen di scambiatore a geometria Hudson alimentato con miscela di idrocarburi – caso di bassa pressione ..... ...................................................................................... 158 8.8 Analisi parametrica al variare del numero di passaggi – miscela di idrocarburi ad bassa pressione ................................................... 161 8.9 Analisi parametrica al variare della velocità dell’aria sulla batteria – miscela di idrocarburi ad bassa pressione ............................... 166 pag. 4 8.10 Modifiche allo scambiatore dimensionato da Aspen: riduzione del numero di ranghi ........................................................................ 169 8.11 Modifiche allo scambiatore dimensionato da Aspen: variazione della lunghezza dei tubi (+50%) ................................................ 171 8.12 Confronto tra proprietà della miscela date e proprietà calcolate da Aspen con metodo RKSHV2 per il caso a bassa pressione ....... 173 9 Analisi su scambiatori LUVE alimentati con miscela di idrocarburi .. ...................................................................................... 179 9.1 Simulazione Aspen su geometrie LUVE alimentate a miscela di idrocarburi ad alta pressione ...................................................... 179 9.2 Simulazione Aspen su geometrie LUVE alimentate a miscela di idrocarburi a bassa pressione ..................................................... 190 10 Analisi economica ............................................................................... 199 Bibliografia ..................................................................................................... 202 Appendice A ..................................................................................................... 203 pag. 5 Elenco delle Figure 1.1 Diagramma volume-disponibilità dei giacimenti .................................... 15 1.2 Illustrazione di diversi tipi di riserve di gas naturale .............................. 16 1.3 Riserve globali di gas recuperabile .......................................................... 17 1.4 Mappa delle regioni EPPA e riserve medie stimate ................................ 18 1.5 Curva globale di costo di fornitura del gas naturale con incertezza ........ 19 1.6 Curva globale di costo di fornitura del gas naturale per regione EPPA con incertezza .......................................................................................... 19 1.7 Produzione annuale di gas grezzo, per tipologia, nei 48 stati continentali degli USA (Alaska esclusa) tra il 2000 e il 2009 .................................... 20 2.1 Sistema di produzione offshore galleggiante .......................................... 26 2.2 Impianto LNG-FPSO ............................................................................... 27 3.1 Diagramma di fase di un sistema di idrocarburi di composizione fissata ................................................................................................................. 30 3.2 Diagramma dei processi di trattamento del gas naturale ......................... 31 3.3 Deidratazione per assorbimento tramite glicole ...................................... 33 3.4 Scrubbing fisico con rigenerazione per depressurizzazione e strippaggio ................................................................................................................. 35 3.5 Diagramma di fase per gas naturale contenente idrocarburi più pesanti del metano, corrente trattata e non trattata, e per metano puro. ............. 36 3.6 Processo di estrazione dei NGL dalla corrente gassosa tramite espansione criogenica in turbina, schema di impianto e diagramma a blocchi. ........ 38 3.7 Processo integrato per liquefazione di gas naturale e recupero di Natural Gas Liquids. ............................................................................................. 40 4.1 Condensatore ad aria, configurazione aspirante e premente ................... 42 4.2 Tipico aspetto dei fasci tubieri ................................................................ 43 4.3 Ventilatori a flusso assiale ......................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Unconventional Gas Production
    Engineering Energy: Unconventional Gas Production A study of shale gas in Australia. FINAL REPORT PROJECT AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF THE HUMANITIES AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE ACADEMY OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES IN AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING SECURING EXPERT AUSTRALIA’S WORKING FUTURE GROUP – PROJECT 6 A three-year research Professor Peter Cook CBE, FTSE (Chair) program funded by the Dr Vaughan Beck FTSE (Deputy Chair) Australian Research Professor David Brereton Council and conducted Professor Robert Clark AO, FAA, FRSN Dr Brian Fisher AO, PSM, FASSA by the four Learned Professor Sandra Kentish Academies through Mr John Toomey FTSE the Australian Council Dr John Williams FTSE of Learned Academies for PMSEIC, through AUTHORS the Office of the Chief Professor Peter Cook CBE, FTSE Scientist. Securing Dr Vaughan Beck FTSE Australia’s Future delivers Professor David Brereton research-based evidence Professor Robert Clark AO, FAA, FRSN and findings to support Dr Brian Fisher AO, PSM, FASSA policy development in Professor Sandra Kentish areas of importance to Mr John Toomey FTSE Australia’s future. Dr John Williams FTSE © Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) ISBN 978 0 9875798 1 2 This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of it may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the publisher. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction rights should be directed to the publisher. DATE OF PUBLICATION May 2013 PUBLISHER Australian Council of Learned Academies Level 1, 1 Bowen Crescent Melbourne Victoria 3004 Australia Telephone: +61 (0)3 98640923 www.acola.org.au SUGGESTED CITATION Cook, P, Beck, V, Brereton, D, Clark, R, Fisher, B, Kentish, S, Toomey, J and Williams, J (2013).
    [Show full text]
  • Trends in U.S. Oil and Natural Gas Upstream Costs
    Trends in U.S. Oil and Natural Gas Upstream Costs March 2016 Independent Statistics & Analysis U.S. Department of Energy www.eia.gov Washington, DC 20585 This report was prepared by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. By law, EIA’s data, analyses, and forecasts are independent of approval by any other officer or employee of the United States Government. The views in this report therefore should not be construed as representing those of the Department of Energy or other federal agencies. U.S. Energy Information Administration | Trends in U.S. Oil and Natural Gas Upstream Costs i March 2016 Contents Summary .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Onshore costs .......................................................................................................................................... 2 Offshore costs .......................................................................................................................................... 5 Approach .................................................................................................................................................. 6 Appendix ‐ IHS Oil and Gas Upstream Cost Study (Commission by EIA) ................................................. 7 I. Introduction……………..………………….……………………….…………………..……………………….. IHS‐3 II. Summary of Results and Conclusions – Onshore Basins/Plays…..………………..…….…
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainability Report 2013 PDF 2 MB
    2013 Sustainability report 2013 Sustainability report © Statoil 2014 STATOIL ASA BOX 8500 NO-4035 STAVANGER NORWAY TELEPHONE: +47 51 99 00 00 www.statoil.com Cover photo: Harald Pettersen 2013 Sustainability report 1 Sustainability at Statoil ......................................................................................................................................1 2 Materiality and scope .........................................................................................................................................2 3 Safety and security ..............................................................................................................................................3 4 Climate change .....................................................................................................................................................8 5 Resource efficiency ...........................................................................................................................................15 6 Environmental impact ......................................................................................................................................16 7 Transparency and anti-corruption ...............................................................................................................19 8 Local value creation ..........................................................................................................................................23 9 Human rights ......................................................................................................................................................26
    [Show full text]
  • Research Institute Thought Leadership from Credit Suisse Research and the World’S Foremost Experts
    December 2012 Research Institute Thought leadership from Credit Suisse Research and the world’s foremost experts The shale revolution THE SHALE REVOLUTION_2 Contents 03 Introduction: The shale revolution 04 The shale revolution: A game changer 08 Unconventional gas supply in the USA 12 China: Security of supply 18 Oil’s shale shake up 20 Key questions on shale oil growth prospects 22 Coal – the biggest loser? 28 Providing the infrastructure 32 Sector implications 35 Authors / Disclaimer / Imprint X0597 X0597 RI E ST /A COM . ISTOCKPHOTO : For more information, please contact: PHOTO A, I Richard Kersley, Head of Global Securities AL Research Product, Credit Suisse STPH /WE Investment Banking, COM . [email protected] Michael O’Sullivan, Head of Portfolio ISTOCKPHOTO Strategy & Thematic Research, : Credit Suisse Private Banking RPHOTO michael.o’[email protected] VE CO THE SHALE REVOLUTION_3 Introduction The shale revolution The global unconventional shale boom is arguably one of the biggest technol- ogy breakthroughs in decades. What started in a field in Texas has turned into a worldwide phenomenon, with ramifications spreading across a wide range of countries, commodities and industries. The high cost of energy is once again stimulating the search for new energy supplies, alternative fuels and efficiency gains, with technology as always at the foreground of new developments. While the full impact of this “game changing” revolution is yet to fully play out, it is clear that significant effects are already underway. In this report, we explore the highly interrelated nature of the global energy system. In parallel with this report, our investment banking research department is publishing a more detailed study of the theme and its impact, reflecting the work of more than forty analysts.
    [Show full text]
  • Bridging the Gap Between Drilling and Completions
    Dallas Section Farmers Branch, TX July 20, 2016 Bridging the Gap Between Drilling and Completions Mary Van Domelen, PE Engineering Advisor Society of Petroleum Engineers Distinguished Lecturer Program www.spe.org/dl Primary funding is provided by The SPE Foundation through member donations and a contribution from Offshore Europe The Society is grateful to those companies that allow their professionals to serve as lecturers Additional support provided by AIME Society of Petroleum Engineers Distinguished Lecturer Program www.spe.org/dl Presentation Format • Define the challenge • Evolution of technologies • Establish today’s baseline • What does the future hold • Conclusions 5 The Challenge Economic development of unconventional reservoirs necessitated the development of leading edge horizontal drilling and well completion techniques. Photo courtesy of US Energy Information Association 6 The question for today Can we drill longer wells than we can effectively complete? 7 Scope: Stimulated horizontal wells Horizontal wells… • Are getting longer and longer • Require more stimulation stages • Must be optimized; not just efficient and economical • Environmental concerns can not be ignored Photo courtesy of Halliburton Energy Services 8 Let’s start with some history First HZ Well Multi-Stage Fracturing Treatments 9 The Dan Field Today Western Flank 2.5 miles Central Platform Complex Original well Reference: Danish Energy Agency “Oil and Gas Production in Denmark” (2013) 12 Halfdan Field (2000) The Challenges • Thin, flat reservoir requiring stimulation in order to produce at economical rates • Lateral sections up to 20,000 ft • > 50% of laterals outside of coiled tubing reach Reference SPE 71322, 78220, 78318 and SPE 108531 20 The Halfdan Field Today 4-D seismic confirms effective drainage along the full length of the laterals Reference SPE 71322, 78220, 78318.
    [Show full text]
  • The Shale Revolution
    13 December 2012 Securities Research & Analytics http://www.credit-suisse.com/researchandanalytics The Shale Revolution Connections Series The Credit Suisse Connections Series leverages our exceptional breadth of macro and micro research to deliver incisive cross- asset and cross-border thematic insights for our clients. SECURITIES RESEARCH & ANALYTICS Please refer to each section of this report for the specific contributors to that section Source: Credit Suisse The early impact of the shale revolution may now be well understood. With the evolution of hydraulic fracturing, extracting unconventional gas first became economical in the late 1990s, with the US leading the innovation. Less understood are the global implications of the unconventional shale boom. Several countries, China the most notable, hold significant shale potential, but most are still years away from the time, technology and policy needed to unlock shale's potential. We explore the countries and regions that could reap shale’s returns in coming years. Considerable reverberations exist throughout the supply chain. From the infrastructure build needed to foster the movement to chemical companies for which natural gas is a key input, the implications of the shale revolution are great and deeply explored in this report. This report leverages the expertise of over 40 research strategists and analysts and paints a clear geographic and sector picture of the shale phenomenon, uncovering significant investment opportunities globally. DISCLOSURE APPENDIX CONTAINS ANALYST CERTIFICATIONS AND THE STATUS OF NON-US ANALYSTS. FOR OTHER IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES, visit http://researchdisclosures.csfb.com/ccd/disclosures/jsp/index.jsp or call +1 (877) 291-2683 for Credit Suisse Equity Research disclosures and visit https://firesearchdisclosure.credit- suisse.com or call +1 (212) 538-7625 for Credit Suisse Fixed Income Research disclosures.
    [Show full text]
  • The World Is Screaming for Oil After 20 Yearsand Eroded Spare
    INDUSTRIAL CONTEXT FOR US ENDEAVOUR 2005-2020 FINAL REPORT 02.10.2020 Executive summary The need to go out – US GoM deepwater was the best initial choice Strong strategic reasons to seek international US GoM deepwater was the rational choice opportunities for a NCS player in 2005 • Macro environment called for non-OPEC production • Steep creaming curve, low political risk, attractive growth and improved oil price fiscal regime and no privileges to NOCs • IOCs were priced on growth outlooks • All significant deepwater operators entered GOM • NCS production appeared to have peaked with • Statoil was the largest deepwater operator globally NCS players' value penalized due to low R/P ratios and entered early with an attractive Encana deal • NCS players were leading in deepwater/subsea • Statoil was an aggressive explorer in US GoM, but technologies and had organizational capacity underestimated geological and business challenges Historical and projected oil production as seen from 2005 Top deepwater operators in 2005 US GoM investment* 2005-19 Million barrels per day Crude production deeper than 125m Billion USD real 2020 4 Statoil + Hydro NCS Petrobras 3.5 ExxonMobil BP 3 Shell Total 2.5 2006 Annual Chevron Energy Outlook Eni 2 Freeport CNRL 1.5 CNOOC Anadarko 1 TAQA US GoM Santos 0.5 deepwater Hess 2005 Resource Report CoP 0 Murphy Oil 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 Woodside *M&A, capex and expex Source: UCube; EIA; NPD; Rystad Energy research and analysis 2 Executive summary Shale – a true revolution early understood by Statoil
    [Show full text]
  • An Investigation of the Underlying Evolution of Shale Gas Research's Domain Based on the Co-Word Network
    sustainability Review An Investigation of the Underlying Evolution of Shale Gas Research’s Domain Based on the Co-Word Network Wen Li, Yuxi Liu, Siqi Xiao, Yu Zhang and Lihe Chai * School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300354, China; [email protected] (W.L.); [email protected] (Y.L.); [email protected] (S.X.); [email protected] (Y.Z.) * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +86-22-8789-1368 Received: 22 November 2017; Accepted: 9 January 2018; Published: 13 January 2018 Abstract: With the increasing shortage energy, the exploration and utilization of shale gas (SG) have greatly changed the world’s natural gas supply pattern. In this study, based on a bibliometric review of the publications related to SG, by analyzing the co-word networks during the past years, we provide comprehensive analyses on the underlying domain evolution of shale gas research (SGR). Firstly, we visualize the topical development of SGR. We not only identify the key topics at each stage but also reveal their underlying dependence and evolutionary trends. The directions of SGR in the future are implied. Secondly, we find the co-word network has small-world and scale-free characteristics, which are the important mechanisms of driving the evolution of SGR’s domain. Thirdly, we analyze China’s SGR. We find the co-word network in China’s SGR has not yet emerged obvious differentiation. Nevertheless, it has a similar self-organized evolution process with the co-word network of international SGR. Our above results can provide references for the future SGR of scholars, optimization or control of the domain and the strategy/policy of countries or globalization.
    [Show full text]
  • Shale Gas Resource and Technology Assessment in Middle & Lower Indus
    ooooooop SUB-CONTRACT NO. EPP-I-00-03-0004-00 SHALE GAS RESOURCE AND TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT IN MIDDLE & LOWER INDUS BASIN OF PAKISTAN MILESTONE 5 REPORT Disclaimer This report is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International (USAID). The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of Advanced Engineering Associates International Inc. and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The development of shale gas/oil resources in Pakistan is mainly dependent on the confirmation of availability of shale gas/oil resources (described in Component 1 of this study), the required exploitation technology, infrastructure, financial feasibility, environmental risks, and required regulatory regime. Exploitation of such unconventional resources is vital for meeting energy shortages, and reduction of oil and gas imports in the decades to come. Using the available data, this study seeks to provide a basin level shale gas/oil potential in Pakistan, followed by technology, infrastructure, and economic assessment of shale gas/oil exploitation in the four targeted formations, i.e., Ghazij, Ranikot, Lower Goru, and Sembar located in the Middle and Lower Indus Basins. The overall study focuses on two main areas: Component1: Providing shale gas/oil resource assessment of the four formations using existing data from wells located in the Middle and Lower Indus Basins. Component 1 consisted of Milestone 1 to 4. Component 2: Evaluating potential economic viability, keeping in view the numerous aspects associated with and directly related to shale gas/oil exploration and production. Component 2 consists of Milestone 5 to 7.
    [Show full text]
  • Availability, Economics, and Production Potential of North American Unconventional Natural Gas Supplies
    AVAILABILITY, ECONOMICS, AND PRODUCTION POTENTIAL OF NORTH AMERICAN UNCONVENTIONAL NATURAL GAS SUPPLIES Prepared for The INGAA Foundation, Inc. by: ICF International 9300 Lee Highway Fairfax, VA 22031 USA Authors: Harry Vidas and Bob Hugman F-2008-03 Copyright ® 2008 by The INGAA Foundation, Inc. November 2008 This page intentionally blank 2 Table of Contents Table of Contents........................................................................................................................ 3 1 Executive Summary .............................................................................................................. 9 1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................. 9 1.2 Resource Definitions ...................................................................................................11 1.3 Objectives...................................................................................................................13 1.4 Major Conclusions of Study.........................................................................................13 1.5 North American Natural Gas Production Forecast.........................................................16 1.6 Report Findings by Category of Unconventional Gas ....................................................18 1.7 Conclusions ................................................................................................................23 2 Introduction........................................................................................................................25
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 Sustainability Report CEO Foreword Contents
    2019 Sustainability report CEO foreword Contents to invest in the protection of tropical forests and develop a mechanism to tap into the important and effective abilities of natural sinks to absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere. The global energy transition creates new business 2 CEO foreword opportunities. Decades of offshore experience and innovative solutions enable Equinor to capture those opportunities in the offshore wind area. Last year, Equinor prepared the ground for 4 Introduction substantially scaling up investments in offshore wind. Together with our partner SSE, we were awarded contracts to build the 8 Sustainability at Equinor Dear stakeholder, world’s largest offshore wind farm in the Dogger Bank area of the North Sea. Equinor was also awarded the contract to 14 Low carbon - Creating a low-carbon advantage Equinor supports the Paris agreement and a net zero target develop the Empire Wind farm offshore New York in the Atlantic for society. We have already brought CO₂ emissions in the oil Ocean. Meanwhile, the pioneering Hywind Tampen project, 32 and gas production process down to industry leading levels, providing electricity to five offshore platforms at the Gullfaks Always safe - Responsible operations and we will continue to do more. Our journey to develop as a and Snorre fields on the NCS, passed an important milestone as 33 Protecting people broad energy company is founded on a strong commitment to Equinor and partners reached a final investment decision and sustainability, and our strategy – always safe, high value and awarded five major contracts. Equinor is positioning itself to be 38 Managing our environmental impact low carbon – is applied in everything we do.
    [Show full text]
  • Hydraulic Fracturing for Shale and Tight Gas in Western Australian Drinking Water Supply Areas
    Hydraulic fracturing for shale and tight gas in Western Australian drinking water supply areas Human Health Risk Assessment Hydraulic Fracturing for Shale and Tight Gas in Western Australian Drinking Water Supply Areas: Human Health Risk Assessment. June 2015 This page has been left blank intentionally. ii Foreword The Western Australian Department of Health continues to be a strong advocate for adoption of a risk management approach to all proposals for new industries, developments or technologies where people live or work close to public water resources, to ensure the protection of public health. The established framework for Health Risk Assessment (HRA) in Western Australia incorporates the interaction of risk communication, community consultation, risk assessment and management. Effective risk management strategies can be developed through this process when public health and community concerns are addressed at an early stage in planning and proposal stages of developments. Hydraulic fracturing, also known as fraccing or fracking, has been presented in the media as a particular threat to public health. This HRA was established to address community concerns about the introduction of hydraulic fracturing to assist extraction of natural gas reserves in Western Australian shale and tight rock. It is only one part of the whole of government approach to assess the potential impacts of this new technology and to ensure associated risks are effectively managed through best practice approval and regulatory activities. In addition to preparation of this document, the Department of Health has actively participated within the whole of government “Interagency Working Group into Shale and Tight Gas” and “Interagency Science Needs Working Group”.
    [Show full text]