Marcellus and Utica shale production make up 85 percent of U.S. gas growth
Monday, August 3, 2015
Since 2012, natural gas from the Marcellus and Utica shales has made up 85 percent of the United State’s growth in natural gas production, The Business Journal reports. Improvements such as advanced drilling techniques, various drilling components and other technological advancements has made drilling more productive.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Drilling Productivity Report released July 28 shows that in the Marcellus Shale, new-well gas production per rig increased from 3.2 million cubic feet per day in January 2012 to 8.3 Mmcf/d in July 2015. Overall estimated Marcellus production increased from 6.3 billion cubic feet per day in January 2012 to 16.5 Bcf/d in July 2015.
In the Utica Shale, January 2012 new-well gas production per rig was 0.31 Mmcf/d; in July 2015, it was 6.9 Mmcf/d. Overall Utica natural gas production increased from 0.15 Bcf/d in January 2013 to 2.6 Bcf/d in July 2015.
Via: The Business Journal > Marcellus, Utica Account for 85% of Shale Gas Production Growth
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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.