Much left to be revealed in Ohio’s Utica Shale
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Utica Shale exploration has only just begun, according to Crain’s Cleveland.
Drilling began in Ohio in 2008, and since then over 600 oil and natural gas wells have been put into production.
One estimate of the Utica’s lifespan from Professor Jeffrey C. Dick of Youngstown State University’s geology department is 20 more years, considering that only 4 percent of the shale formation has been tapped and that approximately 600 wells will be drilled each year. However, it may last for more than 20 years if the shale can be refractured, and if there are other shale formations that can successfully be tapped.
Via: Crain’s Cleveland > What we still don’t know about shale development in Ohio
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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.