Aug. 19, 2010 (Canada NewsWire Group) --
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION ON U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/
MONTREAL, Aug. 19 /CNW Telbec/ -Questerre Energy Corporation ("Questerre" or the "Company") (TSX,OSE:QEC) released today a French overview of an independent report on shale gas development.
"This is one of the many independent reports that confirms the good track record of shale gas development in North America," says Michael Binnion, President and CEO of Questerre Energy.
"Modern Shale Gas Development in the United States: A Primer," was released in April 2009 by the Ground Water Protection Council, an American association of state regulators whose primary purpose is to promote the protection of ground water. Over 90% of their funding comes from The Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy.
One of the major concerns of citizens, government and industry is the protection of groundwater. The report calculates that the chances of hydraulic fracturing impacting an aquifer are, "less than one in two hundred million." It states that the process varies very little from conventional drilling and that it, "has not introduced new environmental concerns."
"The report supports what we have been saying all along; hydraulic fracturing does not affect aquifers and the best way to protect groundwater is with high quality casing, good cement and proper water-handling procedures. This is the case with any well that is drilled, whether it be an oil well, a natural gas well, or a water well," says Binnion.
The report also addresses the regulatory environment in the United States. In Québec the industry is regulated by several acts and regulations. They include : the Mining Act, the Forestry Act, the law on the protection of land and agricultural activities, the laws on environmental quality, the act to affirm the collective nature of water resources.
"Some commentators have said that Québec does not have regulations for shale gas exploration. That can't be the case since it takes more permits and more time to approve a well in Québec than virtually anywhere else in North America," Binnion went on to say.
Questerre has made the overview of this report available in French as part of its commitment to transparency. The company also released a French language video that explains the horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing processes used in shale gas development in the St. Lawrence Lowlands. The overview of the independent report and the video are both available on the company's website at www.questerre.com. The report can be seen in its entirety at www.gwpc.org.
Questerre Energy Corporation is an independent energy company focused on shale gas in North America. The Company is concentrated on establishing commerciality of its Utica shale gas discovery in the St. Lawrence Lowlands, Québec. Questerre is committed to the economic development of its resources in an environmentally conscious and socially responsible manner.
This news release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. These securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an available exemption from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Questerre Energy Corporation
Karen Carle, Public Relations
403-777-1185 | 403-777-1578 (FAX) | Email: info@questerre.com