Risks, Rewards and Regulation of Unconventional Gas
A Global Perspective

This book explains the drivers and implications of unconventional gas at regional, national and global scales with case studies and in-depth analyses.

R. Quentin Grafton (Edited by), Ian G. Cronshaw (Edited by), Michal C. Moore (Edited by)

9781107120082, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 December 2016

509 pages, 119 b/w illus. 39 tables
25.4 x 18 x 2.6 cm, 1.17 kg

'Risks, Rewards and Regulation of Unconventional Gas is a useful and thought-provoking book. It provides a foundation for further research and analysis. A complete reading brings to the surface two general issues that might otherwise lay hidden in the deeper strata of law and policy. First, what is the role of higher-order rules in the development of unconventional gas? … Second, the book also raises (by the vacuum of omission) the most interesting and important question in natural resources law today: to what degree are governments and institutions victims of 'regulatory capture'?' James Hickling, The Cambridge Law Journal

The global energy transition from carbon-intensive to renewable fuels has increasingly demanded a better understanding of the causes and consequences of the rapid development of unconventional oil and gas. Focusing on key countries including the United States, Canada, China, Argentina, the United Kingdom and Australia, this book consists of case studies and in-depth analyses that weigh up the risks and rewards at regional, national and global scales. Explaining how and why unconventional fuels are transforming the global energy landscape, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats are explored through a political, economic and governance-based perspective. Emphasis is placed on how to regulate the industry, encompassing local issues, stakeholder engagement and the social licence to operate. The new baseline studies and standards introduced in this book provide a timely insight into the trade-offs across the social, economic and environmental domains, making this ideal for researchers and policymakers in energy fields, and for graduate students.

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
1. The rise of unconventional gas: the story so far Ian Cronshaw, R. Quentin Grafton and Michal Moore
2. Geopolitical dimensions of global unconventional gas perspectives Frank Umbach
3. Unconventional gas development in Asia-Pacific: looking for common ground Juan Roberto Lozano-Maya
4. Unconventional hydrocarbons and the US technology revolution Martin Evans
5. Risks and opportunities of unconventional natural gas: Australia and the United States Ian Cronshaw and R. Quentin Grafton
6. Economics of shale gas in the United States Francis O'Sullivan
7. Unconventional natural gas in China LV Jianzhong and Zhang Huanzhi
8. The Argentina approach for developing unconventional gas resources Luis Stinco and Silvia Barredo
9. Unconventional gas in the United Kingdom Michael Bradshaw
10. Alberta natural gas: landlocked largesse Michal Moore
11. Managing the regulatory risk of unconventional natural gas Michal Moore
12. Regulation of unconventional gas in Colombia Ana Cristina Sánchez-Thorin and Orlando Cabrales
13. Regulation of unconventional gas in India Vijay Kelkar and Rahool Panandikar
14. Failure to frack: pitfalls of governance and risk in Polish shale gas Michael Carnegie LaBelle
15. Unconventional gas regulation in Australia and the US: case studies of four jurisdictions Ian Cronshaw and R. Quentin Grafton
16. Regulation of unconventional hydrocarbons in Alberta, Canada Michal Moore
17. When unconventional becomes conventional: regulation of natural gas development in British Columbia, Canada Paul Jeakins
18. Leading practice regulation for unconventional reservoir development in South Australia Barry Goldstein, Michael Malavazos and Belinda Hayter
19. Best practice for community engagement: determining who and what is at stake? Peta Ashworth
20. Managing the impact of coal seam gas water extraction in the Surat basin Randall Cox
21. Whole of landscape assessment and planning in the management of unconventional natural gas exploration and production in Australia John Williams, Ann Milligan and Tim Stubbs
22. Unconventional energy in British Columbia: a post-Tsilhqot'in view William Nikolakis
23. Fugitive emissions from coal seam gas production Stuart Day
Appendix
Glossary
Index.

Subject Areas: Environmental monitoring [TQD], Fossil fuel technologies [THF], Environmental management [RNF], Environment law [LNKJ], Environment, transport & planning law [LNK]