Chris Bartlow Kathleen Montz Alex Madaya Zach Rogers.

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


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


Gas development can adversely affect animal habitat and wildlife.• They can drill

underneath sensitive areas like wetlands to reduce wildlife disturbances.


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


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

Chris Bartlow Kathleen Montz Alex Madaya Zach Rogers.

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