North Carolina to open up for drilling, but production may be minimal
Friday, January 2, 2015
With a very small shale deposit and no previous drilling exploration, it’s not surprising that North Carolina is overlooked when comparing shale plays.
The Charlotte Observer reports that the moratorium on fracking in North Carolina may be lifted. The North Carolina State Legislature will meet in January and is expected to allow drilling. Permits could be issued as soon as spring or as late as fall, depending upon any changes to rules.
The center of the Sanford shale gas deposit is believed to be located in three counties in the middle of the state: Lee, Moore and Chatham. However, the amount of natural gas in the shale deposit will be unclear until it is explored.
From The Charlotte Observer:
“Fracking advocates say the amount of fuel in the ground here could supply local brick kilns or small industrial plants in the area, but it’s not clear whether North Carolina’s gas could serve a more distant market.”
Via: The Charlotte Observer > NC set to lift fracking moratorium, but prospects for drilling remain iffy
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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.