Shale Gas Mining: Understanding the Hurdles

Shale Gas Mining:Understanding the Hurdles

Joseph Rudek, Ph.D.Senior ScientistFebruary 15, 2012

Essential Issues

Chemical Disclosure Well Construction

Storage, Transport, Treatment of WasteWaterEmissions of Methane & Other AirPollutantsLand Use, Land Quality & Cumulative Impacts

Water Resources

http://ofpeaceandpolitics.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/hydraulic-fracturing-making-the-headlines-in-2011/

Well Construction and OperationPerhaps the Most Important Issue for Public Health

Requires Strong Regulation, Inspection and Enforcement

Improper Construction and/or Operation Can Lead to Groundwater Contamination by Chemicals, Contaminated Water, And Gases

Chemical DisclosureConcern: Injection of Potentially Toxic Chemicalsin Hydraulic Fracturing Fluidinto Wells

Can Such Toxics Be Kept Out of Groundwater in NC?

•NC Shale Deposits Relatively Shallow

•Shallow Shale Outcrops Break the Surface inNumerous Locations

•Vertical Fissures in Deep River Region Sub-surfaceGeology May Intercept Shale Deposits

http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/pubs/PDF/NCGS_OFR_2009-01_20090709.pdf

Water Resources

•Hydraulic Fracturing Requires Millions ofGallons per Well

•The Deep River Region – One of the moreWater Scarce Regions in the State

•Flashy Surface Water Flow – Large Withdrawals Could Dry Up River -Impacts Unknown

•Hydraulic Fracturing in Fissured Subsurface Geology – Impacts Unknown

Wastewater Treatment•Hydraulic Fracking Fluids and Produced

Water – Potentially Toxic andSometimes Radioactive

•Municipal Wastewater Treatment PlantsNot Designed For Such Waste –Discharge to These Plants Should Not be Allowed

•Deep Well Injection Illegal in NC

•Suspected Induced Seismic Events –Ohio, Arkansas, Oklahoma

•Proximity of Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant

Air Pollutants•Potential Release of Toxic Chemicals such as

VOC’s and Heavy Metals•Especially Problematic with Open

Pit Storage•Methane (aka Natural Gas) Can Leak into the

Atmosphere – Potent GHG•Recent NOAA Study Found

2X Leakage Rate at Site Monitored in Colorado

•If Not Minimized, Could Undo Much of the Environmental Benefit

Image from http://blog.hilncore.com/2011/10/hydraulic-fracturing/http://www.nature.com/news/air-sampling-reveals-high-emissions-from-gas-field-1.9982

Land Use, Land Quality & Cumulative Impacts

•Unique Among Heavy Industries –Usually Located in Forests,Grasslands and Residential Communities

•Standard Multi-Head Well Pad Can BeOver 7 Acres –Multiplied by 1000’s of Well Sites

•Wells must be Served by New Roads,Pipelines and perhaps Liquid StorageFacilities

Image from http://www.pioga.org/environment-safety/hydraulic-fracturing/

Conclusion

Current Market Conditions and Existing NC Laws Provide NC with the Time and a Unique Opportunity to Fully Understand and Address the Issues Associated with Shale Gas Development

http://www.forecasts.org/natural-gas.htm