Consol to drill Utica test well at Pittsburgh International Airport
Friday, January 8, 2016
So far, Consol Energy has only tapped into the Marcellus shale beneath the Pittsburgh International Airport, but that’s about to change.
Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports that Consol will drill a test well in the Utica shale by using one of its existing Marcellus well pads. The Utica well will replace one of the Marcellus wells that was planned for the site.
Consol has been successful with its dry Utica wells. The company is focusing on fracking existing wells before drilling new wells, while energy prices remain low.
Via: Pittsburgh Tribune Review > Consol plans Utica gas well at Pittsburgh airport
More about drilling at the Pittsburgh International Airport:
- Consol considers changing up Pittsburgh Airport drilling plan June 28, 2015
- “Walking” rig used to drill horizontal wells at airport Dec. 31, 2014
- Pittsburgh International Airport to reap benefits from shale drilling Aug. 26, 2014
- Pittsburgh International Airport to explore fracking opportunities Aug. 16, 2014
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.