Bauer, E. (2021). Economic Potential and Legal Assessment of Shale Gas Fracking in Austria [Master Thesis, Technische Universität Wien; Diplomatische Akademie Wien,ETIA-Lehrgang)]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2021.97143
The share of renewable energy sources on the global energy market is constantly increasing. At the same time, almost unnoticed by the general public a consequential energy transition from coal and oil to natural gas is happening. One of the main driver for this trend is Shale Gas. ShaleGas is a “difficult-to-extract-gas” that requires additional well stimulation in the form of Fracking. Fracking uses a high-pressure injection of fluids that fractures the bedrock formation and releases the gas trapped therein. This method is regarded controversial due to its high-levelwater consumption and innate risk for drink water contamination.The thesis first illustrates the necessary technical steps of fracking. Second, it presents the economic potential of shale gas in Austria, therefore, evaluates the national volume of shale gas reserves and calculates the production costs and the break-even price of shale gas from domestic exploitation. Third, it evaluates the effectiveness of Shale Gas legal framework concerning drink water safety. It looks at the possible impacts and potential risks for all waters, especially in regard to water with drawal and the discharge of mining waste water (flowback and producedwater). It answers the question whether an EIA for fracking could be issued positively.
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