Horizontal Natural Gas Fracking

Nicki Neu

CBE 555 – Fall 2012

Overview What is Gas Fracking?

Environmental Concerns

How Can We Use Natural Gas?

Politics and Regulations

Our Role As Engineers

What is Gas Fracking? http

://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY34PQUiwOQ&feature=related

Environmental Concerns Well Water Contamination

Methane migration Cement casing

Waste Water Disposal 3-6 million gallons of water per well ½% volume toxic chemicals 15,000 gallons of toxic chemicals per well Spills during removal

How Can We Use Natural Gas? Previously as a heating source

Ongoing debates on ability to replace petroleum

Government grants

Supply drives innovation

Act 13 Applies to “unconventional wells” Well Control Emergency Plan Well Assessment Fee Variance allowed for regulations

Additional protective measures taken

Table 1. Well Fee Assessment (per well, based on annual average price per MMBtu in previous calendar year)

Act 13: Environmental Regulations Pre Drilling

Well water testing Frack fluid disclosure Technical compliance Mitigation planning

Drilling Well site and local containment

Post Drilling Testing requirements Permits required Water Management Plan

Act 13: Reasonable Development and Local Ordnances “No conditions more stringent than those imposed

on industrial uses or other land development in the zoning district, including those for height, screening, fencing, lighting and noise.”

“Oil and gas operations are a permitted use in all districts, except that a municipality can prohibit or require a conditional use in residential districts if: The well cannot be placed at least 500 feet from an

existing building; or The edge of the well pad cannot be placed at least 300

feet from an existing building.”

Politics vs. Propaganda? Where do we draw the line?

Industry funded studies – perception?

Media portrayal – difference between good and bad studies?

Shale Work for US – government funded effort to “sell” Ohioans on gas fracking

Conclusion: Our Role as Engineers Relatively new technology

Regulations – harmful or helpful in development?

Overcoming personal bias – hot topic issue

Personal Views

Questions?