Worst Case Scenario

Sour gas wells are sources of natural gas that contain large amounts of hydrogen sulfide, a colourless, toxic gas with a smell comparable to ‘rotten eggs’. In Alberta Canada, residents face the prospect of numerous new sour gas wells being drilled in the surrounds of their city, by Shell Canada. The effects of the gas on the lives of citizens are as of yet unknown.

This TV documentary tracks a conflict between oil and gas industry and landowners that has escalated into ‘violence, night time bombings, death threats, fatal shootings, jail terms’. Taking us from board room discussions towards scenes of public protest, the documentary examines not only this acute incident in Alberta, but also asks what might drive citizens towards forms of incited violence against public polluters.