Talking Fracking: a consultation on unconventional oil and gas

A unit of volume measurement used for oil and its products.

A hole drilled in to the earth. Boreholes can be used to remove core samples of rock for geologic analysis. A borehole that is used to extract oil or gas or water is sometimes called a well.

Carbon capture and storage is a technology that can capture the carbon dioxide emissions produced from the use of fossil fuels, preventing the carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.

Coal bed methane is considered to be an unconventional source of gas because the gas is absorbed in the coal rather than being held in pore spaces.

Oil and gas that is recovered by drilling a well in porous rock, with the oil or gas flowing out under its own pressure.

The process to remove all the equipment used for production of unconventional oil and gas and return the site to its original condition and use.

A hard standing area for development of drilling wells and production of gas and oil.

The equipment used to drill holes into the earth called boreholes and wells.

A piece of equipment used in the petrochemical industry to convert hydrocarbons into ethylene which will then be used
in manufacturing.

Emissions of gasses or vapours from industrial equipment due to leaks or other unintended or irregular releases, during industrial activities.

A greenhouse gas is any gaseous compound in the atmosphere that is capable of absorbing infrared radiation, thereby trapping and holding heat in the atmosphere.

A hazard is a potential source of harm, e.g. electricity, chemicals, stress. A risk is the likelihood, or chance, that something will cause harm.

A drilling technique, commonly referred to as 'fracking', that fractures rock to release the oil and gas contained in the rocks.

A compound containing the elements hydrogen and carbon. May exist as a solid, a liquid or a gas. The term is mainly used in a catch-all sense for oil, gas and condensate.

Gas, chiefly methane, liquefied for transportation.

A temporary prohibition in an activity.

Natural gas is a source of energy. It is typically composed of a mixture of hydrocarbons such as methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

The portions of gas from a reservoir that can be liquefied. Ethane, propane, butane, isobutane, and pentane are all natural gas liquids.

A mixture of liquid hydrocarbons.

The company that has legal authority to drill wells and to access hydrocarbons.

Chemical products obtained from petroleum/natural oil and gas. Companies supply petrochemicals for use in manufacturing and production.

A generic name for hydrocarbons, including crude oil, natural gas liquids, natural gas and their products.

The amount of technically and economically recoverable oil and gas in a particular location.

The amount of estimated oil and gas in a particular location.

Vibration of the ground or earthquakes due to natural or artificial causes.

Shale gas is a form of natural gas trapped within shale rock.

Shale is an impermeable rock from which natural oil and gas can be extracted.

The hole drilled by a drilling rig to explore for or develop oil and/or natural gas.