Chris Bartlow

Kathleen Montz
Alex Madaya
Zach Rogers

Is shale gas a viable resource?

What are the problems with it?
Social?
Political?
Environmental?

Laws and regulations

Where is it?

Wikipedia

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

Marcellus shale

1. Leasing

land
2. Exploration
3. Drilling

Hydraulic fracturing
Horizontal drilling

4. Collecting
5. $$$

6. Restoration
www.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

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

LOCAL

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
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shale_gas

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
years
http://www.api.org/policy/exploration/hydraulicfracturing/
shale_gas.cfm

http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/publications/natu
ralgas_general/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf

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/oi
lgas/publications/naturalgas_genera
l/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/natu
ralgas_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#Environme
nt)

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/natu
ralgas_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/natu
ralgas_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/natu
ralgas_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/oilg
as/publications/naturalgas_general/S
hale_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/naturalg
as.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
Means more jobs
Less pollution
There is money to be
had
May cause lower prices
for fuel in the future
http://www.energytomorrow.org/Shale_Ga

s.aspx

CON

There are many

development issues
when it comes to shale
gas
People dont necessarily
want their land dug up
Wildlife advocates worry
about the disturbance of
habitats
http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oil
gas/publications/naturalgas_general
/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf

PRO

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

http://www.energytomorrow.org/S
hale_Gas.aspx

CON

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://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilga
s/publications/naturalgas_general/Sha
le_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 economy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shale_gas

http://www.energyindepth.org/2009/08/pa-congressman-marcellus-shale-natural-gasdrilling-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 Act
http://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_Sha
le_09-02-2009.html
http://www.pahouse.com/pr/166040309.asp