Flight Provides New Estimates on Marcellus Methane Leaks
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Over the summer, scientists flew over the largest shale gas producing regions in the United States, including the Marcellus Shale, to measure methane emissions related to shale gas drilling, according to State Impact Pennsylvania.
The data is still being studied.
Read it:
“Scientists from the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are still studying the data gathered in June and July to determine how much of the regions’ methane might come from natural gas operations, but the results promise to provide the first published “top-down” estimates of how much methane is leaking during gas extraction from the Marcellus, Fayetteville and Haynesville shales.”
Top-down estimates are calculated by studying concentrations of methane and other gasses in the atmosphere.
Scientists are studying how much methane and carbon dioxide are released during the fracturing process. Methane is a more potent, but shorter-lived greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
» Via: State Impact Pennsylvania » Research flight to provide new estimates of Marcellus methane leaks
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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.