Marathon’s Cornerstone Pipeline gets put to use
Sunday, October 9, 2016
On Sept. 29, 50,000 barrels of condensate — a mix of light liquids that flow from the Utica and Marcellus shale wells and can be turned into gasoline — started flowing through the new cornerstone Pipeline.
The eventual vision is for a second section of the pipeline that will deliver condensate to Marathon Petroleum Co.’s Canton refinery to be opened later this month. The refinery can turn 25,000 barrels of condensate to gasoline on a daily basis, according to The Massillon Independent.
The entire project comprises 42 miles of 16-inch-diameter pipe from Cadiz to East Sparta and eight miles of 8-inch-diameter pipe from East Sparta to the refinery.
The pipeline is the first of its kind, carrying Utica condensate and natural gas.
Learn more: The Massillon Independent > Marathon opens first leg of Cornerstone Pipeline
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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.