"Father of Shale Gas" Leading Charge In Sustainability
He’s a 91 year-old oil tycoon who has been touted by the industry as the “father of shale gas.”
George P. Mitchell, founder of Mitchell Energy & Development Corp, is the man who pioneered shale gas drilling in the US by developing the hydraulic fracturing technique that has triggered a shale boom in America, and also around the world.
But in a recent profile in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Mitchell says these accomplishments are only secondary to his real passion: sustainability.
“There’s no doubt this nation is strong because of oil and gas,” Mitchell told the paper. “But sustainability is the most important thing I’m working on.”
While some may consider the combination of oil/gas exploration and environmental sustainability a bit of an oxymoron, Mitchell relishes the effect of a global glut of shale gas, the Inquirer says. Less reliance on imported oil and coal also means less pollution and greenhouse-gas emissions.
“If we don’t start waking up, in 2050 we’re in trouble, because you’ll have nine billion people worldwide,” he said. “And if you can’t make the world work with six billion people, how can you make it work with nine?”
Mitchell also says the shale industry must rise to the challenge of environmentalists by finding a way to create greener fracking fluids that can also be recycled and reused.
“If you can reuse it, it’ll cost you a little money, but it’s a good thing,” Mitchell said. “Because the environmentalists will give you hell, and I think they’re right, they should give you hell.”
Short URL: http://naturalgasforamerica.com/?p=1159
Posted by admin
on August 30th, 2010. Filed under Environment, Shale Gas.
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