Geologists, activists cry foul over hydrocarbon project

Chennai: Geologists and activists say that the fears of residents of Neduvasal against hydrocarbon project are justified as shale extraction, which is by far the most common method for hydrocarbon extraction, leads to making huge drills into the land.

The extraction of hydrocarbons from sedimentary rocks through wells eventually leads to pumping out of groundwater from the land. Also, in the process the oil from the wells leaking on to nearby lands rendering them useless for agriculture.
Residents of the village of Neduvasal, which is spread over an area of 45 sq km, are largely dependent on farming and the nod given to hydrocarbon project by the Union government without consulting or informing them came as a surprise.

“Whether the outcome is good or bad, Neduvasal and the nearby villages will have to bear the impact. Isn’t the government supposed to inform us and take our inputs before giving the nod?” questioned R.Ramkumar, a native of Neduvasal.

“We have known people who work abroad in petroleum and oil distilleries, and we are spreading awareness based on facts. We are not protesting without knowing the pros and cons. The drilling and extraction would affect the land which is the sole means of livelihood for all these people here,” he added.
“Once the drilling of well is done, the groundwater will be pumped out to extract hydrocarbons. Since the extraction site is located near the coastline, even when the groundwater is pumped out, the sea water will enter the well,” said a researcher at Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), requesting anonymity.

A geologist based in Chennai, added, “A number of wells are dug for exploration, so during the whole period that the extraction process continues, no agricultural activity can take place on the land and surrounding areas of about 5 - 10 acres. In the case of untoward acts like oil leakage, the land will be rendered useless for agriculture thereafter. “

“If the sea water - ground water interface gets disturbed, saline water intrusion can happen at the site,” he added. Saltwater intrusion causes sea water to mix with fresh water sources on land, thus affecting activities that depend on freshwater.

Activist Nityanand Jayaraman said that unlike claims by the ministers, hydrocarbon extraction is not a clean or green way of producing energy.

“The exploratory well dug in 2009 has led to leakage in the land near the wall, but the government has not cleaned up after digging. People are protesting because the evidence that their land will be destroyed is out there,” he added.