A conference on the topic “Sustainable fracking?” was hosted by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) on 24th and 25th June, 2013 in Hannover. Experts discussed the interaction between deep gas-bearing underground and shallow aquifers. 

Peter Hennike opened the conference with a keynote address on the energy mix in Germany, followed by presentations (in German only) from scientists and experts on the availability of resources, fracking technology, groundwater protection and toxicology. Each issue was subsequently analyzed and discussed. In addition, representatives from six European countries and the United States gave an overview of their country in terms of shale gas, fracking and groundwater. 

The obtained information, experiences and content from this conference will be published soon in a report.