Chris Bartlow Kathleen Montz Alex Madaya Zach Rogers
Mar 31, 2015
Chris BartlowKathleen Montz
Alex MadayaZach Rogers
Is shale gas a viable resource? What are the problems with it?
• Social?• Political?• Environmental?
Laws and regulations Where is it?
Natural gas Unconventional Found in certain
types of shale 2,000-7,000 feet
deep Low permeability Prevalent in the area 2,300 trillion cubic
feet in U.S.www.energytomorrow.org
Wikipedia
Marcellus shale
1.Leasing land2.Exploration3.Drilling
• Hydraulic fracturing• Horizontal drilling
4.Collecting5.$$$6.Restorationwww.pamarcellus.com
Geology.com
Plentiful Cleaner than other fossil fuels Money $ Jobs
• Engineering and surveying• Construction and earthmoving• Equipment manufacturing, service and repair• Environmental permitting• Water transport/wastewater management• Servicing
Economy Low maintenance www.pamarcellus.com
Most critics support the production of natural gas from Marcellus Shale.
analysts expect shale gas will greatly expand worldwide energy supply
Unconventional gas production is expected to rise from 42% in 2007 to 64% in 2010
There is enough shale to support the U.S. gas needs for 90 years
http://www.energytomorrow.org/Shale_Gas.aspx
However, not everyone agrees with natural gas production from Marcellus Shale.
Water agencies and citizens around shale regions are concerned about:• availability of water supplies needed for gas production• waste water disposal http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2009/3032/
There are cases of benzene contamination in well water
Critics believe hydraulic fracturing allows chemicals to leak into the groundwater
Landowners in shale gas areas say the energy benefits are outweighed by the environmental risks
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php
WORLDWIDE LOCAL
North America is currently the most profitable shale gas producer
Worldwide development of shale gas plays are expected to develop, especially in Europe and Asia
Shale gas contributes an 11% rise in natural gas in the U.S.
Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale contains about 500 trillion cubic feet of natural gas
http://www.pamarcellus.com/
By the end of 2008 shale gas production in the U.S. was up to 31.8 trillion cubic feet
The U.S. contains an estimated 5,000 trillion cubic feet of shale gas• only 500 trillion cubic feet recoverable
With current technology only about 10% of shale gas is recoverable
It is estimated that the shale gas in the U.S. is enough to meet the United States’ gas needs for the next 90 yearshttp://www.api.org/policy/exploration/
hydraulicfracturing/shale_gas.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shale_gas
Although shale gas is one of the fastest growing trends in onshore oil and gas exploration there is still a long way to go!
Better, more efficient technology needs to be obtained.
Natural gas historically has only provided 22% of the total energy consumed.
(http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/publications/naturalgas_general/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf)
http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/publications/naturalgas_general/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf
Each gas shale basins is different and each has a unique set operational challenges.
Because of these differences, the development of shale gas resources in each of these areas faces potentially unique opportunities and challenges.
http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/publications/naturalgas_general/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf)
Protection of Groundwater Wildlife Impacts
Community Impacts Surface Disturbances
Chemicals are added to water to aide in fracturing the rock• This adds to the amount of contaminated
ground water Water is stored in above ground ponds
until it can be removed or injected back into the earth.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shale_gas#Environment)
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle • In using this technique researchers are trying
to find a way to cut down on water pollution It takes 2 million to 4 million gallons of
water to drill and fracture a horizontal shale gas well• In the long run is not to bad compared to
agricultural and municipal use.• Only .1%-.8% of total water use
http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/publications/naturalgas_general/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf)
Current Techniques• Underground injection• Treatment and discharge• Recycling
New Techniques are developing• Researchers want this water to be clean
enough to be used for other purposes as well• This way shale-gas associated water can be
considered a resource of its own
http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/publications/naturalgas_general/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf)
Gas development can adversely affect animal habitat and wildlife.• They can drill
underneath sensitive areas like wetlands to reduce wildlife disturbances.
http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/publications/naturalgas_general/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf
There are certain Community issues that can arise• Damage to roads• Traffic congestion• Traffic flow• Noise• Dust
It takes intense planning to ensure that these factors have the smallest impact possible
http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/publications/naturalgas_general/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf
Vertical wells can require up to 40 acres per well• Horizontal wells take
up much less space and are more efficient.
Natural Gas is the cleanest of all fossil fuels• Can reduce the emissions of pollutants into
the atmosphere The main products of natural gas
combustion are carbon dioxide and water vapor• Carbon dioxide is a less potent pollutant
http://www.naturalgas.org/environment/naturalgas.asp
Natural gas does not contribute much to smog• Emits low levels of
nitrous oxide and almost no particulate matter
Can be used to fuel vehicles• Cut down on the
emissions from gasoline and diesel.
http://www.naturalgas.org/environment/naturalgas.asp
PRO CON
Means more jobs Less pollution There is money to be
had May cause lower prices
for fuel in the future
There are many development issues when it comes to shale gas
People don’t necessarily want their land dug up
Wildlife advocates worry about the disturbance of habitatshttp://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/publications/naturalgas_general/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf
http://www.energytomorrow.org/Shale_Gas.aspx
PRO CON
Greater energy security More money to be had
by local and state governments
Allows for less dependence on foreign oil• Shale Gas can be
developed in America
In developing a shale gas there are a lot of factors that need to be taken into consideration.
There is an abundance of paperwork a contractor needs to go through to get the approval to harvest shale gas.
http://www.energytomorrow.org/Shale_Gas.aspx http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/
oilgas/publications/naturalgas_general/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf
Advances in Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal completions
Costs more to produce but low risk of shale gas wells
North America the developing leader Penn State study showed
• 29,00 jobs• 2.3 billion dollars to the economyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shale_gas
http://www.energyindepth.org/2009/08/pa-congressman-marcellus-shale-natural-gas-
drilling-critical-for-states-americas-economic-future/
State and Oil gas laws• Oil and Gas Act• Oil and Gas conservation Law
Environmental Protection• Clean Streams Law• Dam and Safety Act• Water Resources Planning Act• Solid Waste Management Acthttp://www.depweb.state.pa.us/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=542874
PA exempt Governor Rendell reconsidering for
2010• 5% tax
Natural Gas prices plummet
http://www.timesleader.com/news/hottopics/shale/Governor_reconsiders_tax_on_gas_from_Marcellus_Shale_09-02-2009.html
http://www.pahouse.com/pr/166040309.asp