• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
PennsylvaniasMarcellus Shale
By Katrina CurrieCommonwealth Foundation
 
The Marcellus Shale is a large and difficult-to-drill geological formation roughly a mile or moreunderground that contains natural gas.
‡
T
he shale covers more than two-thirds of Pennsylvania.
‡
Recent estimates place the volume of recoverable gas in the entire formation (not justPennsylvania) at
489
trillion cubic feet
enough to
supply all of America's natural gas needsfor 20 years.
‡
T
his once unreachable gas is now recoverable, thanks to the combination of two previouslyexisting technologies: horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.
‡
Since 2005, approximately 7,500 Marcellus Shale permits have been issued and 3,030 wellshave been drilled.
Introduction
 
D
ozens of drilling companies are investing in Pennsylvania and boosting the economy by creatinghigh-paying, permanent jobs.
‡
More than
1
0,500 new jobs
within Marcellus Shale related industries from 2009 Q4 to 2011 Q1,according to theCenter for Workforce Information and Analysis:
 ±
T
his doesnt include indirect jobs that are being created by drilling, from railroad companies tomanufacturing.
 ±
Estimated average annual earning is nearly
$7
0,000
.
 ±
T
akinga more long-term view, from 2008 Q1 to 2010 Q3, employment in core industries increased bynearly 94 percent, while total jobs in Pennsylvania dropped 2 percent.
‡
Since 2008,
7
out of 
1
0 new hires
in the industry are filled by Pennsylvanians, according toMarcellus Shale Coalition.
 
Economic Impact
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...