Understanding the context of the Marcellus shale
Friday, September 9, 2016
Pennsylvania is known for its natural resources, ranging from timber and iron to coal and oil. Now, the Keystone State is famous for the Marcellus shale.
Exploration of the Marcellus shale began in the early 2000s, when Range Resources successfully drilled a test well in the formation. Since then, the Marcellus shale has been in the spotlight, with drillers coming to Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia to drill for natural gas and oil.
Learn more about the context of the Marcellus shale boom here: Penn State University Extension/Marcellus By Design > Context
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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.