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Australian Energy Producers Journal Australian Energy Producers Journal Society
Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)

Postcard from Pennsylvania: lessons learned during successful fight over Marcellus Shale operations that may have applicability to Australian discussion

Chris Tucker
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FTI Consulting, 1101 K Street, NW Suite B100, Washington, DC 20005, USA. Email: chris.tucker@fticonsulting.com

The APPEA Journal 57(2) 567-571 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ17021
Accepted: 21 April 2017   Published: 29 May 2017

Abstract

This article explores the recent history and significance of unconventional natural gas development in the Marcellus region of Pennsylvania, including a look at the state’s historical background on hydrocarbon production, the effect of political and social media campaigns against development activities and the outlook for the future. In consultation with industry and environmental groups, Pennsylvania’s state government has crafted rules and regulations allowing responsible development to proceed, helping industry secure and retain its licence to operate in the process. This success was further made possible by an early and robust public engagement strategy that refuted misinformation and provided proper context for both the benefits and challenges inherent in resource development. However, in neighbouring states like New York and Maryland, similar public strategies and campaigns in support of development were not as quickly assembled and mobilised. The contrasting histories (and final results) help provide a template of lessons learned for other areas considering shale development, including an opportunity to avoid the kinds of mistakes that have led to moratoria, bans or other restrictions on specific well stimulation technologies, such as hydraulic fracturing.

Keywords: hydraulic fracturing, hydrocarbon production, natural gas, shale oil, social licence, unconventional.

Chris Tucker is a senior managing director of FTI Consulting and joint leader of the firm’s oil and natural gas practice within the strategic communications segment. In this capacity, Chris frequently contributes to various international media on matters relating to onshore unconventional oil and gas development, having appeared on CNN, BBC, MSNBC, FOX News and television and radio stations across Canada, Poland, Australia, the Czech Republic, Denmark and Japan in recent years. In the US, Chris cofounded the research and rapid-response oil and gas education platform known as Energy In Depth, and has applied that model to help establish similar programs in Canada (Shale Resource Centre), Spain (Shale Gas España), pan-Europe (Shale Gas Europe), Mexico (Pulso Energético) and Australia (Energy Resource Information Centre). During his time with FTI, Chris has represented oil and gas clients on five continents. Prior to joining the firm, Chris spent almost a decade on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, most recently as a senior energy policy and communications advisor to the House Republican leadership. A proud native of rural north-east Pennsylvania (the dry-gas region of the Marcellus), Chris is a graduate of The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.


References

Borick, C., Rabe, B. and Lachapelle, E. (2014). Public Perceptions of Shale Gas Extraction and Hydraulic Fracturing in New York and Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, Muhlenberg College, and University of Montreal, September 2014. http://closup.umich.edu/files/ieep-nsee-2014-nypa-shale.pdf

Gilliland, D. (2011). “Floods didn’t affect Marcellus Shale drilling, DEP says,” Harrisburg Patriot-News, 15 September 2011. http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/09/floods_didnt_affect_marcellus.html

University of Quinnipiac (2014). “Pennsylvania Voters Back Fracking, But Not In Parks. Quinnipiac University Poll Finds.” Quinnipiac, 6 June 2014. https://poll.qu.edu/pennsylvania/release-detail?ReleaseID=2049

University of Texas (2015). “3 out of 4 Believe Climate Change is Occurring; Views of Key Energy Issues Are Shaped by Partisan Politics.” University of Texas Energy Poll, October 2015. http://www.utenergypoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/October-2015-UT-Energy-Poll-Final2.pdf