ODNR Details Economic Impact of Ohio’s Mineral Resources
Thursday, November 21, 2013
COLUMBUS — Reports from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) show the development of Ohio’s mineral resources in 2012 produced more than $2.7 billion worth of geologic commodities, including increases in the extracted amount of oil, natural gas, limestone, sand and gravel.
The 2012 Report on Ohio Mineral Industries: An Annual Summary of the State’s Economic Geology and the 2012 Ohio Oil and Gas Summary contain information regarding the production, value and employment totals of Ohio’s various mineral industries.
Some highlights include:
* Mineral industries produced $239 worth of resources for every Ohioan.
* Natural gas production increased 18.4 percent. Ohio produced $1.1 billion worth of coal in 2012 — the fifth year in a row Ohio’s production value topped $1 billion.
* Industrial mineral extraction employed more than 11,000 Ohioans.
* Ohio had the second highest increase in limestone production in the United States.
Published yearly, both reports include information on the state’s mineral extraction activities.
The Report on Ohio Mineral Industries offers basic information about individual mines, groups of mines and also features detailed geologic information about coal and industrial minerals, along with extensive references.
The Ohio Oil and Gas Summary, details oil and gas activity statewide, including information regarding the Utica/Pt. Pleasant shale play.
The electronic versions of both reports are available as .pdfs by clicking on the following links:
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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.