The Unconventional Gas: Thought Leadership Series will gather the top minds in the industry to provide state, national and international perspectives.

One of the presenters is Ian Duncan, from the Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas, who told EnergyNews he understood both side of the debate.

“Thus far there is very little evidence that shale gas drilling has had any impact on water in aquifers,” Duncan said.

“The US Environmental Protection Agency in 2012 carried out a massive study of groundwater quality, sampling 60 domestic water wells and having them analysed for a very large range of potential contaminates.

“This study found no evidence of groundwater contamination.”

Duncan said the debate around shale was healthy.

“I think environmentalists are doing what they should… looking out for the environment and pressing government and scientists like me for answers to important questions,” he said.

“I think in the US at least it is unfortunate that some university scientists have become activists at the same time they are supposedly publishing unbiased research on shale gas impacts.”

Duncan is set to add balance to the series.

“I have no personal mandate either in favour or against natural gas production,” he said.

“In blogs on the internet I have been described – without justification I might add – as ‘being in the pocket of the industry’ by some.

“I am very careful to sit on the fence.”

At the University of Texas, Duncan studies a number of aspects of the industry including evaluation of potential health impacts of shale, investigation of air contamination commonly associated with shale and the study of groundwater contamination to name a few.

The event will start in Perth on June 18 and will follow with a sessions in Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra.