DNV Launches Shale Gas Recommended Practice

Risk management service provider Det Norske Veritas (DNV) has today launched its Recommended Practice for shale gas over the entirety of its life cycle, which aims to provide guidelines and policies for the safe extraction of shale.

DNV says the Recommended Practice guide will help to ensure that shale is extracted safely, efficiently, transparently and accurately. The Recommended Practice report is a more holistic set of guidelines that many companies currently have in place, DNV says, encompassing safety, health, the environment, well integrity, water and energy management, infrastructure and logistics, public engagement, stakeholder communication and permits. The guidelines were formulated in consultation with US and European authorities as well as oil and gas companies, NGOs and other industry bodies.

As part of the transparency recommendation, DNV advises that shale gas activity should be publicly reported as well as monitored to ensure public confidence in the resource. 

"There is great public concern about the consequences of shale gas operations," CEO of DNV Maritime and Oil & Gas Remi Eriksen said. "Our Recommended Practice will contribute to increase the trust and confidence among the general public by implementing operational best practices and making the industry document how its activities are being executed in a safe and responsible manner."

DNV has now invited interested parties to enter into a discussion with it on this first version of its Recommended Practice. Following these discussions, DNV will released a revision version of the Recommended Practice.