DNV (Det Norske Veritas) is developing a Recommended Practice (RP) for the entire life cycle of shale gas extraction, based on risk management principles. The RP shall provide a reference document for the independent verification of shale gas projects. The objective is for the RP to form the basis for a globally recognised standard for safe and sustainable shale gas extraction. See DNV´s press release.

The full RP is not yet publicly available, representatives of the industry and regulators are currently invited to engage in a discussion on the first version of the RP as a first step in creating a new, international standard. Following this, a revised document will be made available.

However, the Recommended Practice Summary specifies some of the recommendations:

• The management processes and procedures of shale gas projects comply with ISO 31000 or an equivalent standard and take into account specific considerations for shale gas activities.
• Shale gas operations should be monitored and publicly reported. Extensive baseline surveys are advised with the results being openly disclosed to all stakeholders, including the general public.
• A pre-evaluation of the project site and its surroundings carried out by an independent environmental expert is recommended, along with careful environmental monitoring throughout the exploration, production and abandonment phases.
• Operators are encouraged to plan and document the development, operation and abandonment of infrastructure and logistics to minimise the project’s negative footprints, taking into consideration such issues as land use and interdependency risks.
• Project developers are advised to actively engage and educate the general public early, frequently, consistently and truthfully, using a systematic and knowledge-based approach.

Water and energy requirements as well as shale gas well integrity are said to be addressed, but no specific recommendations are given in the summary document.