por Comunicação Arayara | 12, set, 2022 | Fracking |
Concejales y vicealcalde de la ciudad maranhense afirman que las acciones de las compañías petroleras se llevaron a cabo de manera silenciosa
¿Qué es el fracking?
El fracking, también conocido como fracturamiento hidráulico, es un proceso que implica la inyección de grandes volúmenes de agua, productos químicos y arena a alta presión en capas de roca subterránea para liberar el gas natural atrapado. Aunque es una técnica utilizada en varios países, es controvertida debido a los daños ambientales y ecológicos que causa, como la contaminación de las aguas subterráneas, la liberación de gases de efecto invernadero, los terremotos inducidos, entre otros.
Parnarama, Maranhão, participó en una capacitación el 12 de septiembre de 2022 en el salón del Concejo Municipal que trató sobre los riesgos y problemas causados por el fracking. El evento contó con la presencia de concejales del municipio y de ciudades vecinas, representantes de los agentes comunitarios de salud, comunidades quilombolas y miembros del sindicato de trabajadores rurales. Además del vicealcalde y miembros de la sociedad civil, quienes siguieron atentamente la audiencia. También estuvieron presentes integrantes de COESUS – Coalición No al Fracking Brasil por el Agua y la Vida, una campaña del Instituto Internacional Arayara.
Después de la audiencia, los concejales se pronunciaron sobre las empresas que habían llevado a cabo investigaciones en el municipio durante la administración anterior. Informaron que un gran convoy compuesto por varias camionetas, jeeps y cinco camiones de nueve ejes, transportando equipos de perforación, recorrió la región. Los camiones transportaban los equipos, que fueron montados en un complejo que incluía contenedores para el alojamiento de los trabajadores, una ambulancia para casos de emergencia, grúas y otros equipos necesarios.
Según los concejales, todo el proceso se llevó a cabo rápidamente, sin consultar a la población. Uno de los concejales, que anteriormente no ocupaba un cargo público, informó que había cuestionado a uno de los empleados de la empresa, pero las respuestas fueron evasivas. “Así como llegaron y llevaron a cabo sus acciones, se fueron en silencio”.
El vicealcalde del municipio, Gilson Moura (Gilson Da Silva Leite), del PCdoB, informó al equipo de COESUS que había visto varios jeeps de la empresa circulando tanto por la ciudad como por las áreas rurales. Al abordarlos, no obtuvo ninguna explicación satisfactoria. Además, el vicealcalde informó que tanto él como el alcalde aprobarán una ley en contra de la técnica de fracturamiento hidráulico en el municipio.
La concejala Querida Moura (Eliane Geisteira de Moura Leite), del PP, afirmó estar al tanto de la presencia de los camiones y envió un video al equipo de COESUS, fechado el 18 de enero de 2008, que muestra la comunidad de Paiol do Centro, ubicada a 50 km de la sede municipal, durante una inundación. El video muestra una desbordamiento del río que se asemeja a una explosión, elevando el nivel del agua en 2 metros, según la concejala. El técnico Isaías Lima da Silva, de Trat’Água, estuvo presente en el lugar junto con profesores de la comunidad de Paiol do Centro.
Tres años antes del video, en el mismo lugar, 40 cabezas de ganado desaparecieron en el suelo como en un tipo de arena movediza. Intentaron rescatar algunos animales, pero estaban muertos. Se observaron varias grietas y una gran cavidad con agua en el lugar. Según la explicación del técnico responsable de la recolección de materiales en el lugar, las grietas y las cavidades son consecuencia de explosiones provocadas por la producción de gas carbónico, proveniente de un proceso natural de descomposición de materia orgánica de animales y plantas.
Este gas penetra en las grietas de las rocas y, en ausencia de oxígeno, se producen explosiones anaeróbicas, liberando el gas hacia la atmósfera. Como resultado, el suelo cede, causando grietas y cavidades. El técnico recomendó el aislamiento del área para evitar accidentes y afirmó que la cavidad podría tragarse el bosque circundante. Hasta el momento de la grabación del video, no se habían tomado medidas.
Estos eventos alarmantes evidencian la necesidad de un monitoreo y planificación cuidadosos de las actividades realizadas en el municipio, con el fin de proteger el medio ambiente, la población y la fauna local. Es fundamental que las autoridades locales estén atentas a los impactos potenciales de estas acciones y fomenten la participación de la comunidad en las decisiones que afectan directamente sus vidas y el ecosistema en el que están insertados.
por Comunicação Arayara | 12, set, 2022 | Fracking |
The municipality in Maranhão participated in a lecture by fracking expert Esmeralda Gusmão
What is fracking?
Fracking – also known as hydraulic fracturing – is a process that involves injecting large volumes of water, chemicals, and sand at high pressure into underground rock layers to release trapped natural gas. Although this technique is already used in several countries, it is controversial due to its environmental and ecological damage, including groundwater contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, induced earthquakes, etc.
On the banks of the great Parnaíba River, adorned with beautiful squares and various carnauba palm trees. Carnauba palm, abundant in the region, is a palm tree that produces wax, oil, and other valuable products. This is a brief description of the municipality of Parnarama in Maranhão. The city is famous for its June festivals, where typical dances, quadrilles, food and beverage stalls, and other activities are held.
Parnaíba Riverbanks
The COESUS team – No Fracking Brazil Coalition for Water and Life, a campaign by the Arayara International Institute, conducted a training session with the rural workers’ union of Parnarama. The union leaders listened to the words of expert Esmeralda Gusmão about the risks that the “Gas of Death” (the popular term for shale gas extracted through fracking) poses to agriculture and the socio-environmental impacts on workers.
Fracking is a major problem for all sectors but is presented to municipalities as a form of development. This technique has the opposite effect of what companies claim in communities. For example, one can analyze the situation in the province of Neuquén, Argentina, where fracking has been in place for many years and observe the decline in the fruit-growing sector, particularly apple cultivation.
Maçãs chilenas com o selo “Frack Free” (Livre de Fracking)
The team was received at the city council by Councilor Miguel, who discussed with COESUS the planning of a public hearing on fracking. The main damages caused by fracking include:
- Chemical contamination: Fracking involves the use of a mixture of chemicals, water, and sand injected under high pressure into the ground to release natural gas. These chemicals can contaminate groundwater and surface water, causing harm to human health and the environment.
- Water scarcity: The fracking process requires large amounts of water, which can lead to water scarcity, especially in areas with limited water resources.
- Bacterial contamination: Increased industrial activity, including fracking, can increase the concentration of harmful bacteria in water, raising the risk of diseases.
- Natural gas leaks: Natural gas leaks during the injection process can contaminate water and air and pose a risk of explosions.
- Earthquake risk: The injection of water and chemicals under pressure into the ground can cause earthquakes, which can affect the quality of groundwater.
The fracking industry is a major water consumer, directly competing with agriculture, commerce, industry, and water for public consumption. Millions of liters of water are used for each drilled well. The water that returns from fracking is known as flowback, and after separating the gas, it is stored in open-air ponds where it evaporates, receiving direct solar energy and causing acid rain that contaminates crops and the entire surrounding region.
Open-air flowback pond
por Comunicação Arayara | 12, set, 2022 | Fracking |
City is the first in Maranhão to ban fracking in its territory
What is fracking?
Fracking – also called hydraulic fracturing – is a process that involves injecting large volumes of water, chemicals and sand at high pressure into layers of rock underground to release trapped natural gas. Although it is a technique already in use in several countries, it is controversial for causing environmental and ecological damage, including groundwater contamination, release of greenhouse gases, induced earthquakes, etc.
São João dos Patos, in Maranhão, became the first city in the state to ban fracking. This important achievement was the result of the determination of councilman Tio Jardel, regional coordinator of the campaign of COESUS – Coalition No Fracking Brazil for Water and Life, a campaign of the Arayara International Institute, which presented the law in the city council.
The COESUS team was again in São João dos Patos on September 12, 2022 to congratulate the councilman and reinforce the importance of the decision made by the 2016 parliamentarians to approve the law against fracking. Technician Suelita Röcker also participated in the visit to the city council, highlighting the need to protect life and natural resources in the region. The current councilmen, even with the Anti-fracking law in effect, were unaware of the technique and its dangers.
Besides São João dos Patos, the COESUS team visited the neighboring towns of Sucupira do Riachão and Paraibano, where the city councilors received the group enthusiastically and committed to introduce the law against fracking in their respective municipalities. This joint mobilization demonstrates the importance of raising awareness about the risks of this practice and the union between different cities to protect the environment.
The expedition to Argentina, undertaken by councilman Tio Jardel in partnership with the COESUS technical team, was a crucial moment to strengthen the fight against hydraulic fracturing. The councilman was able to witness firsthand the devastating effects caused by this technique in Argentinean territory. According to the congressman, from the airport he came across large billboards displaying impacting images of dead cattle as a direct result of fracking.
The prohibition of fracking in São João dos Patos is a significant step forward in the defense of the environment and the quality of life of its citizens. It is expected that other cities in Maranhão will follow this example and adopt similar measures to protect their communities and ecosystems. The awareness and engagement of society are essential to combat this harmful technique and seek more sustainable alternatives for energy production.
por Comunicação Arayara | 12, set, 2022 | Fracking |
Councilors and deputy mayor of the Maranhão city say that the actions of oil companies were carried out silently
What is fracking?
Fracking – also called hydraulic fracturing – is a process that involves injecting large volumes of water, chemicals and sand at high pressure into underground rock layers to release trapped natural gas. Despite being a technique already used in several countries, it is controversial because it causes environmental and ecological damage, including contamination of groundwater, release of greenhouse gases, induced earthquakes, etc.
Parnarama, Maranhão, participated in a training session, on September 12, 2022, in the plenary of the City Council, which dealt with the risks and problems caused by fracking. The event was attended by councilors from the municipality and neighboring cities, representatives of community health agents, quilombolas and members of the rural workers’ union. In addition to the deputy mayor and members of civil society, who closely followed the hearing. In addition to members of COESUS – Coalition No Fracking Brazil for Water and Life, a campaign by the Arayara International Institute.
After the hearing, the councilors spoke about companies that had carried out research in the municipality during the previous administration. They reported that a large convoy consisting of several pickup trucks, jeeps and five nine-axle trucks carrying drilling equipment traveled through the region. The trucks transported the equipment, which was assembled in a complex containing overnight containers for employees, an ambulance for emergency cases, tow trucks and other necessary equipment.
According to the councilors, the whole process was carried out quickly, without consulting the population. One of the parliamentarians, who previously did not hold public office, reported having questioned one of the company’s employees, but the responses were evasive. “As soon as they arrived and performed their deeds, they departed in silence.”
The deputy mayor of the municipality, Gilson Moura (Gilson Da Silva Leite), from the PCdoB, reported to the COESUS team that he saw several company jeeps circulating both in the city and in rural areas. When approaching them, he did not obtain any satisfactory explanation. In addition, the deputy mayor informed that both he and the mayor will approve a law against the hydraulic fracturing technique in the municipality.
Councilor Querida Moura (Eliane Geisteira de Moura Leite), from the PP, stated that she was aware of the presence of the trucks and sent a video to the COESUS team, dated January 18, 2008, showing the community of Paiol do Centro, located 50 km from the municipal seat, during a flood. The video reveals an overflow of the river that resembles an explosion, raising the water level by 2 meters, according to the councilwoman. Technician Isaías Lima da Silva, from Trat’Água, was present at the site along with teachers from the community of Paiol do Centro.
Three years before the video, in the same location, 40 head of cattle disappeared to the ground in a kind of quicksand. They tried to rescue some animals, but they were lifeless. Several cracks and a large crater with water were observed at the site. According to the explanation of the technician responsible for collecting materials at the site, the cracks and craters are the result of explosions caused by the production of carbon dioxide, which comes from a natural process of decomposition of organic matter from animals and plants.
This gas penetrates the fissures of the rocks and, in the absence of oxygen, anaerobic explosions occur, releasing the gas into the atmosphere. As a result, the ground gives way, causing cracks and craters. The technician recommended isolating the area to avoid accidents and stated that the crater could swallow the forest around it. At the time of recording the video, no action had been taken.
These alarming events highlight the need for careful monitoring and planning of activities carried out in the municipality, in order to protect the environment, the population and the local fauna. It is essential that local authorities are aware of the potential impacts of these actions and promote community participation in decisions that directly affect their lives and the ecosystem in which they are inserted.
por Comunicação Arayara | 12, set, 2022 | Fracking |
Vereadores e vice-prefeito da cidade maranhense dizem que as ações de empresas petrolíferas foram realizadas de forma silenciosa
O que é o fracking?
O fracking – também chamado de fraturamento hidráulico – é um processo que envolve a injeção de grandes volumes de água, produtos químicos e areia, a alta pressão, em camadas de rocha do subsolo para liberar o gás natural que está preso. Apesar de ser uma técnica já utilizada em vários países, ela é controversa por causar danos ambientais e ecológicos, incluindo contaminação da água subterrânea, liberação de gases de efeito estufa, terremotos induzidos etc.
Parnarama, Maranhão, participou de uma capacitação, no dia 12 de setembro de 2022, no plenário da Câmara Municipal que tratou dos riscos e problemas causados pelo fracking. O evento contou com a presença de vereadores do município e das cidades vizinhas, representantes dos agentes comunitários de saúde, quilombolas e membros do sindicato de trabalhadores e trabalhadoras rurais. Além do vice-prefeito e membros da sociedade civil, que acompanharam atentamente a audiência. Além de integrantes da COESUS – Coalizão Não Fracking Brasil pela Água e Vida, uma campanha do Instituto Internacional Arayara.
Após a realização da audiência, os vereadores se pronunciaram a respeito de empresas que haviam realizado pesquisas no município durante a gestão anterior. Eles relataram que um grande comboio composto por diversas caminhonetes, jipes e cinco caminhões de nove eixos, transportando equipamentos de perfuração, percorreram a região. Os caminhões transportavam os equipamentos, que foram montados em um complexo contendo contêineres para o pernoite dos funcionários, uma ambulância para casos de emergência, guinchos e outros equipamentos necessários.
Segundo os vereadores, todo o processo foi realizado de forma rápida, sem consultar a população. Um dos parlamentares, que anteriormente não ocupava um cargo público, relatou ter questionado um dos funcionários da empresa, porém as respostas foram evasivas. “Assim como chegaram e realizaram suas ações, partiram em silêncio.”
O vice-prefeito do município, Gilson Moura (Gilson Da Silva Leite), do PCdoB, relatou à equipe da COESUS ter avistado diversos jipes da empresa circulando tanto pela cidade quanto pelas áreas rurais. Ao abordá-los, não obteve nenhuma explicação satisfatória. Além disso, o vice-prefeito informou que tanto ele quanto o prefeito irão aprovar uma lei contra a técnica de fraturamento hidráulico no município.
A vereadora Querida Moura (Eliane Geisteira de Moura Leite), do PP, afirmou estar ciente da presença dos caminhões e enviou um vídeo à equipe da COESUS, datado de 18 de janeiro de 2008, mostrando a comunidade de Paiol do Centro, localizada a 50 km da sede do município, durante uma enchente. O vídeo revela um transbordamento do rio que se assemelha a uma explosão, elevando o nível da água em 2 metros, segundo a vereadora. O técnico Isaías Lima da Silva, da Trat’Água, esteve presente no local juntamente com professores da comunidade de Paiol do Centro.
Três anos antes do vídeo, no mesmo local, 40 cabeças de gado desapareceram no chão em uma espécie de areia movediça. Tentaram resgatar alguns animais, mas estavam sem vida. Foram observadas várias rachaduras e uma grande cratera com água no local. De acordo com a explicação do técnico responsável pela coleta de materiais no local, as rachaduras e as crateras são consequências de explosões provocadas pela produção de gás carbônico, proveniente de um processo natural de decomposição de matéria orgânica de animais e plantas.
Esse gás penetra nas fissuras das rochas e, na ausência de oxigênio, ocorrem explosões anaeróbicas, liberando o gás para a atmosfera. Como resultado, o solo cede, causando rachaduras e crateras. O técnico recomendou o isolamento da área para evitar acidentes e afirmou que a cratera poderá engolir a floresta ao seu redor. Até o momento da gravação do vídeo, nenhuma medida havia sido tomada.
Esses eventos alarmantes evidenciam a necessidade de um cuidadoso monitoramento e planejamento das atividades realizadas no município, a fim de proteger o meio ambiente, a população e a fauna local. É fundamental que as autoridades locais estejam atentas aos impactos potenciais dessas ações e promovam a participação da comunidade nas decisões que afetam diretamente suas vidas e o ecossistema em que estão inseridos.
