Pa. shale production eclipses 5 trillion cubic feet
Monday, March 20, 2017
In 2016, natural gas production increased by 10 percent in Pennsylvania, according to the Pittsburgh Business Times.
Natural gas production increased from 4.6 to 5.05 trillion cubic feet last year, according to information released by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Although the shale boom has slowed in Pennsylvania, overall natural gas production has seen double-digit growth every year for the past decade. For example it increased 13 percent from 2015 to 2014.
Additionally, the number of wells in the Appalachian Basin continues to grow. Last May, there were only about 35 rigs running in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. According to a recent estimate released by Baker Hughes, the tristate region is now up to 53 with 32 of those in Pennsylvania.
Learn more: Pittsburgh Business Times > Pennsylvania shale production tops 5 trillion cubic feet in 2016
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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.