Use of American Petroleum Institute Standards in regulating the extraction of unconventional gas resources: a tool for regulators

Reviews the growing popularity of well stimulation techniques, particularly hydraulic fracturing (fracking), to extract unconventional gas resources (UGR) and considers whether the regulatory standards developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) may serve as a national and international model for regulating such activities. Examines the API standards applicable to fracking, the extent to which these are used by regulators in Brazil, Canada, Norway, the UK and the US, and whether Australia should adopt them as regulatory tools for its onshore unconventional petroleum activities.