• Hydraulic fracturing can potentially drive continued growth in clean energy development
• Shale gas production is projected to grow almost three-fold in the next 2 decades
• Increases in hydraulic fracturing operations can provide a stimulus to the economy by creating jobs, gross domestic product and tax revenues, and a cost savings through lower gas and electric prices
• Standards must be developed to ensure the preservation of the environment and safe working conditions   

  image obtained from http://www.lhup.edu/hemlock/hemlock2.6.htm

The new subcommittee will attempt to address the balance of fracking growth and opportunity with environmental safety.  Ronald J. Ebelhar, a senior principal at Terracon and chairman of the ASTM Committee D18, was quoted as saying, "The oil and gas industry will achieve a level playing field through the acceptance of best practices that underlay hydraulic fracturing infrastructures and guide critical aspects of business operations.  Regulators  at the federal, state, and local level will be better able to focus on big pictures knowing that basic technical issues are covered by ASTM standards.  And concerns with the general public should be allayed by proven and tested standards that improve industry practices and serve to better protect natural resources."

The proposed standards will address areas such as:

• Background site investigation and permitting
• Well installation and borehole integrity testing
• Engineering and drilling techniques
• Permanent well abandonment and data reporting
• Safe management and disposal of drilling fluids
• Groundwater monitoring and remediation
• Proper reinjection of produced well fluids