Appalachia helps boots U.S. natural gas production to record levels
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Natural gas production in the United States reached record levels last year, which substantially boosted exports, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
The increases came despite Texas losing some of its momentum in 2017. Natural gas production fueled by output growth in Louisiana and the Appalachian Basin.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Louisiana had the largest annual production gain of any state last year, while the Marcellus and Utica shale plays in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania also saw substantial volume growth.
Learn more: Houston Chronicle > U.S. saw record natural gas production in 2017
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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.