Latest count shows Pennsylvania retains oil and gas rigs more often than other states
Friday, February 20, 2015
While the number of rigs in some states has declined, Pennsylvania’s rig count was steady as of Feb. 13. Pittsburgh Business Times reports that compared to the prior week, the state’s rig count was still 54.
Compared to last year, Ohio has two fewer rigs. The state currently has 37 rigs. West Virginia has 17 rigs, down 13 from 2014. Altogether, the multi-state Marcellus Shale has two fewer rigs than the previous week as well as two fewer rigs in the multi-state Utica Shale.
Via: Pittsburgh Business Times > Pennsylvania, unlike most other states, retains oil and gas rigs
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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.