EIA report: Natural production expected to decline in September
Saturday, August 29, 2015
It’s no surprise that U.S. natural gas production is expected to decrease in September with the ongoing downward slide in commodity prices, StateImpact Pennsylvania reports.
The most recent report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration states that natural gas production will fall to 44.9 billion cubic feet per day. In May, peak production stood at 45.6 billion cubic feet per day. Decreasing rig counts over the past year have influenced lower production rates, especially in formations like the Marcellus Shale.
According to the EIA report, the Utica Shale will lose about 3 million cubic feet per day of natural gas month over month. The Marcellus Shale will be down 60 million cubic feet per day month over month.
Via: StateImpact Pennsylvania > Shale gas production expected to decline
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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.