The German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) recently criticized a study on the environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing, which was issued by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU) in September, 2012. Together with the Organization of Geological Surveys of the German States (SGD), BGR has now published a statement (in German only) regarding the three German studies on hydraulic fracturing that were published in 2012. These three studies were commissioned by ExxonMobil, the German state North-Rhine Westphalia, and the BMU, respectively. In their critique of the studies, BGR and SGD focus solely on geoscientific issues. In parts, the critique is harsh. 

BGR and SGD summarize that in all three studies there are significant weaknesses in the presentation and assessment of geoscientific facts. They conclude therefore, that the risks, dangers, and recommendations derived from the studies have limited justification. Accordingly, they believe this geoscientific deficit may result in a general overestimation of the uncertainties, when assessing geoscientifc-based dangers and risks within hydraulic fracturing technology.