Study Shows Methane Often in Ground Water Prior to Drilling
Monday, March 10, 2014
One of the prime arguments against hydraulic fracturing is the migration of methane into ground water during the drilling process. Methane in water was made famous during scenes in the film Gasland when a man was able to light his water on fire.
A new study, published in the Bulletin of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists argues that oftentimes methane is in the well water before drilling begins, according to The Patriot-News.
Read it:
“The study found that 88 percent of the 67 water supply wells evaluated had some presence of thermogenic gas present before any Marcellus drilling occurred.
The study then tested the gas produced in the well bore of 234 wells during drilling as the drill bit sank deeper and deeper – to get a vertical stratigraphy of what types of gas are found where.
The study found that Marcellus type gas – older thermogenic gas associated with deeper geologic formations – was actually present above the Marcellus.”
» Via: The Patriot News › New study of gas drilling and ground water shows gas often in water before drilling begins
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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.