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Comparative Analysis of Hydraulic Fracturing Wastewater Practices in Unconventional Shale Development: Newspaper Coverage of Stakeholder Concerns and Social License to Operate

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  • Joel Gehman

    (Department of Strategic Management and Organization, Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R6, Canada)

  • Dara Y. Thompson

    (Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H1, Canada)

  • Daniel S. Alessi

    (Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3, Canada)

  • Diana M. Allen

    (Department of Earth Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada)

  • Greg G. Goss

    (Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada)

Abstract

In this article we review prior literature regarding the concept of social license to operate, and related concepts, including corporate social responsibility, sustainable development, stakeholder management and cumulative effects. Informed by these concepts, we search for newspaper articles published in North American provinces and states where the Barnett, Duvernay, Marcellus and Montney shale plays are located. Using these data, we tabulate coverage of stakeholder concerns related to hydraulic fracturing and wastewater practices, and compare the extent to which these concerns vary over place and time. Our vocabulary analyses identify differences in the types and quantities of newspaper coverage devoted to concerns regarding hydraulic fracturing activities in general and wastewater practices in particular. We interpret these differences as suggesting that obtaining a social license to operate is likely not a one size fits all proposition. By understanding which stakeholder concerns are most salient in particular places and times, oil and gas operators and regulators can better tailor their strategies and policies to address local concerns. In other words, the findings from this study indicate that conventional understandings of risk as a technical or economic problem may not be adequate for dealing with unconventional resource challenges such as hydraulic fracturing. Operators and regulators may also need to manage social and cultural risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Joel Gehman & Dara Y. Thompson & Daniel S. Alessi & Diana M. Allen & Greg G. Goss, 2016. "Comparative Analysis of Hydraulic Fracturing Wastewater Practices in Unconventional Shale Development: Newspaper Coverage of Stakeholder Concerns and Social License to Operate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:9:p:912-:d:77704
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Miron Avidan & Dror Etzion & Joel Gehman, 2019. "Opaque transparency: How material affordances shape intermediary work," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(2), pages 197-219, June.
    2. Dumbrell, Nikki P. & Adamson, David & Wheeler, Sarah Ann, 2020. "Is social licence a response to government and market failures? Evidence from the literature," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    3. Zhaoxian Zheng & Yan Zhang & Bingyan Li, 2023. "Sensitivity Assessment of Boron Isotope as Indicator of Contaminated Groundwater for Hydraulic Fracturing Flowback Fluids Produced from the Dameigou Shale of the Northern Qaidam Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-15, March.
    4. Fernandez, Viviana, 2021. "Are extractive ventures more socio-environmentally committed?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    5. Cong Dong & Xiucheng Dong & Joel Gehman & Lianne Lefsrud, 2017. "Using BP Neural Networks to Prioritize Risk Management Approaches for China’s Unconventional Shale Gas Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-18, June.
    6. Fry, Matthew & Brannstrom, Christian, 2017. "Emergent patterns and processes in urban hydrocarbon governance," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 383-393.
    7. Hongxun Liu & Jianglong Li, 2018. "The US Shale Gas Revolution and Its Externality on Crude Oil Prices: A Counterfactual Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-17, March.
    8. Carrasco-Farré, Carlos & Snihur, Yuliya & Berrone, Pascual & Ricart, Joan Enric, 2022. "The stakeholder value proposition of digital platforms in an urban ecosystem," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(4).
    9. António Mateus & Luís Martins, 2021. "Building a mineral-based value chain in Europe: the balance between social acceptance and secure supply," Mineral Economics, Springer;Raw Materials Group (RMG);Luleå University of Technology, vol. 34(2), pages 239-261, July.

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