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Shale Gas

Shale Gas. Chris Bartlow Kathleen Montz Alex Madaya Zach Rogers. Objectives. Is shale gas a viable resource? What are the problems with it? Social? Political? Environmental? Laws and regulations Where is it?. What is Shale Gas?. Wikipedia. Natural gas Unconventional

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Shale Gas

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  1. Shale Gas Chris Bartlow Kathleen Montz Alex Madaya Zach Rogers

  2. Objectives • Is shale gas a viable resource? • What are the problems with it? • Social? • Political? • Environmental? • Laws and regulations • Where is it?

  3. What is Shale Gas? 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

  4. Extraction Geology.com • Marcellus shale • Leasing land • Exploration • Drilling • Hydraulic fracturing • Horizontal drilling • Collecting • $$$ • Restoration www.pamarcellus.com

  5. Unconventional vs. Conventional

  6. Supporting Evidence • 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

  7. The People’s View 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

  8. The People’s View http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php • 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

  9. Where? • Shale gas is natural gas that exists in shale deposits • This shale was formed by the mud of shallow seas that existed 350 million years ago http://www.naturalgas.org/overview/unconvent_ng_resource.asp • Shale containing natural gas is generally sandwiched between two thick, black shale deposits

  10. U.S. Shale Gas Plays

  11. Shale Gas Potential 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/

  12. How much is left? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shale_gas http://www.api.org/policy/exploration/hydraulicfracturing/shale_gas.cfm • 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 years

  13. Difficult to Obtain? • 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)

  14. Difficult to Obtain 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.

  15. Environmental Problems: The Overview Protection of Groundwater Wildlife Impacts Community Impacts Surface Disturbances

  16. Ground Water Issues (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shale_gas#Environment) • 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.

  17. Ground Water Issues http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/publications/naturalgas_general/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf) • 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

  18. Water Treatment Techniques http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/publications/naturalgas_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

  19. Wildlife Impacts http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/publications/naturalgas_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.

  20. Community Impacts http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/publications/naturalgas_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

  21. Surface Disturbances • Vertical wells can require up to 40 acres per well • Horizontal wells take up much less space and are more efficient.

  22. Benefits http://www.naturalgas.org/environment/naturalgas.asp • 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

  23. Environmental Benefits 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.

  24. The Social Spectrum 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 habitats http://www.energytomorrow.org/Shale_Gas.aspx http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/publications/naturalgas_general/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf

  25. The Political Spectrum 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

  26. Economic Issues • 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-gas-drilling-critical-for-states-americas-economic-future/

  27. Laws and Regulations • 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

  28. Tax • 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

  29. Conclusion

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