The Hyderabad-based Scientists For People has written to Krishna District Collector D. K. Balaji seeking disclosure of scientific studies, regulatory framework, and safeguards considered before the Water Resources Department issued No Objection Certificate (NoC) to Vedanata Limited for onshore oil and gas drilling operations at Kaza block in Krishna district.
The department issued a NoC to the company on December 22 for drilling wells at 20 locations in Guduru and Movva mandals in the district for the production of onshore oil and gas through hydraulic fracturing (fracking) process.
Stressing that there are scientifically-recognised risks associated with hydraulic fracturing and allied drilling activities, particularly in canal-irrigated, groundwater-dependent, deltaic regions such as the Krishna delta, they sought clarifications from the Collector on many questions.
They sought clarification on whether any site-specific or regional scientific studies were relied upon to assess potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing fluids and associated chemicals on groundwater aquifers and irrigation canals; the hydrogeological suitability of the Krishna delta for such operations; cumulative and long-term impacts arising from multiple drilling locations; how the sustainability of withdrawal of large quantities of groundwater every day for the project was assessed; whether the margin of safety is adopted to account for drought years and climate variability.
They also asked whether full disclosure of chemicals proposed to be used was examined prior to issuance of the NoC and what containment, monitoring, and emergency response mechanisms were evaluated to prevent contamination of canals and aquifers.
They also sought clarification on whether any monitoring mechanisms are proposed to assess groundwater and canal water quality, whether monitoring data will be placed in the public domain, the agencies responsible for monitoring and how accidental releases, well integrity failures, or subsurface migration pathways would be detected and addressed in real time.
The NoC issued by the Water Resources Department states that out of 35 locations where the company sought its nod for drilling, the department allowed the activity in 20 locations. The request for drilling in remaining places was denied given their proximity — less than 500 metres from the Bandar canal. The group of scientists asked how the distance-based criterion alone was considered adequate when risks associated with hydraulic fracturing are known to arise from subsurface pathways and well integrity failures.
Disclosure of the above information would significantly contribute to addressing public concern, they said, adding that their submission is not grounded in apprehension, but in an informed understanding of the scientific, hydrogeological, and operational risks associated with such activities.