Marcellus Shale is Most Productive in the Country
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The Marcellus shale formation is now the most productive shale formation in the country, according to a recent analysis by IHS.
The report says that due to recent pipeline expansions, the Marcellus shale play reached a production rate of 7 billion cubic feed (BFC) day. That rate surpasses the production of the Haynesville shale in Arkansas.
Though the number of rigs running in 2012 fell by one third throughout the year, the Marcellus still has more gas rigs than any other U.S. shale play. According to the report, the top five counties for shale development are Bradford, Lycoming, Susquehanna, Tioga and Washington.
Good investments?
Two companies made an impression on IHS: Range Resources and Cabot Oil & Gas. Range Resources drilled Pennsylvania’s first horizontal well in 2006.
Read it:
“Both companies have dramatically improved their operational metric by investing heavily in the Marcellus over the last few years. Other companies, however, have yet to realize their full potential in the play, noted the IHS Herold Marcellus Shale Company Play Analysis. “
» Via: IHS › Marcellus now largest U.S. natural gas producing play, surpasses Haynesville
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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.