Water stranding in the energy and agriculture sectors: The case of hydraulic fracturing in water scarce irrigated regions

In this chapter, the authors analyze global shale deposits located in water scarce areas. They quantify the volume of irrigation water that could be allocated to the more profitable activity of oil and gas extraction, and quantify the consequent volume of irrigated crops that might remain water stranded. The water scarce shale deposits are located where 91% of current calorie production relies on irrigation water. Moreover, in these areas, there is not an expected major increase in water consumption from the agriculture sector because crop yield gaps – the difference between current and maximum attainable yields – has already been closed through irrigation. The authors analyze the socio-environmental risks for local populations and discuss how this reduction in food production might increase the reliance on food imports, thereby compromising the food security and livelihoods of local populations.