2. Is shale gas a viable resource?
What are the problems with it?
• Social?
• Political?
• Environmental?
Laws and regulations
Where is it?
3. 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
6. 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. 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. 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
9.
10.
11. 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. 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
http://www.api.org/policy/exploration/hydraulicfracturing/sh
ale_gas.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shale_gas
13. 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/oil
gas/publications/naturalgas_general/S
hale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf)
http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas/publications/natura
lgas_general/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf
14. 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/natura
lgas_general/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf)
15. Protection of Groundwater
Wildlife Impacts
Community Impacts
Surface Disturbances
16. 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)
17. 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/natura
lgas_general/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf)
18. 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/natura
lgas_general/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf)
19. 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/natura
lgas_general/Shale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf
20. 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/oilga
s/publications/naturalgas_general/Shal
e_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf
21. Vertical wells can
require up to 40 acres
per well
• Horizontal wells take up
much less space and are
more efficient.
22. 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
23. 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
24. 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://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilg
as/publications/naturalgas_general/Sh
ale_Gas_Primer_2009.pdf
http://www.energytomorrow.org/Shale_Gas.
aspx
25. 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/Sh
ale_Gas.aspx http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/oilgas
/publications/naturalgas_general/Shale_
Gas_Primer_2009.pdf
26. 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. 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. 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