Here’s this week’s top shale gas stories:

( 1 ) Fracking May Be Safe for Drinking Water

Though the government study is in its early stages, preliminary results suggest that hydraulic fracturing may be safe for drinking water after all.

The study, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy is being carried out by the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Pittsburgh. It marks the first time a drilling company has let government scientists monitor fracking fluid with special tracers.

The final report isn’t expected until the end of the year.

» Via: The Shale Gas Reporter › Fracking May Be Safe for Drinking Water, New Study Suggests

( 2 ) MWCD Could Get up to $9,000 a Day for Water

The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District recently approved a second short-term water sale from Seneca Lake to oil and gas drillers, according to the Times Reporter.

Antero Resources Inc., is paying the district $6 per 1,000 gallons. The company is set to receive 1.5 million gallons a day during August, September and October.

The MWCD has dealt with oil and gas companies several times. So far this year, the district has sold 20.1 million gallons from Clendening, Piedmont and Seneca lakes.

The deal underlines the importance of water to hydraulic fracturing operations. Many companies run into problems finding fresh water due to regulations.

» Via: Times Reporter.com › MWCD could get up to $9,000 a day for water sales from Seneca Lake

( 3 ) U.S. Could Be Top Oil Producer, No Thanks to Ohio

The United States has the opportunity to become the world’s largest oil producer, thanks to hydraulic fracturing and shale gas, according to a recent Harvard University study. But, Ohio and Pennsylvania won’t be significant contributors.

According to Leonardo Maugeri, an associate with Harvard’s Geopolitics of Energy Project, Texas and North Dakota and propelling US oil production.

» Via: WOSU › Report: U.S. Poised To Become Top Oil Producer No Thanks To Ohio

( 4 ) Natural Gas Liquids Are Revolutionizing the Shale Boom

Tim Daiss, writer for Energy Tribune, argues that natural gas liquids (NGLs) are largely ignored by traditional media. According to Daiss, even the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is ignoring the product.

His feature goes on to describe the few companies banking on NGLs. NGLs are commonly used for petrochemical applications, something he says could give the U.S. an edge in the industry.

Read his entire article at the link below.

» Via: Energy Tribune › Natural Gas Liquids: A Revolution Within the US Shale Boom

( 5 ) Do Shale Plays Increase Income Mobility?

It’s no secret that the shale gas boom is injecting millions of dollars into local economies around the United States, but is that money affecting upward mobility? According to Walter Russell, a writer for The American Interest, an interactive map published by the New York Times, may hold the answers.

The map details the chance a child raised at the bottom fifth of income levels has of reaching the top fifth of income.

Russell took a look at the map and saw that North Dakota and eastern Montana are the most upwardly mobile areas in the country. He argues that the upward mobility in those areas is no coincidence.

Read it:

“It’s no coincidence that those blue shaded areas overlap the Bakken formation, one of the largest shale oil and gas plays in the United States. And energy-rich Texas, home to the oil-rich Permian basin and the Eagle Ford shale formation, is also relatively upwardly mobile.”

 » Via: The American Interest › The Shale Boom and Income Mobility