Could the US be energy independent by 2035?
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Saudi Arabia and Russia lead the world in crude oil production, but the United States may catch up quickly due to the development of the shale industry.
According to The Morning Call, various agencies, like the Energy Information Administration and McKinsey and Company, have speculated about how shale will shape the future of the U.S.
Predictions ranging from under 2 million barrels per day to 9 million barrels per day are found in reports from different agencies. However, these predictions aren’t definite since production rates may vary and new shale may be unearthed in coming years.
While the U.S. is more politically stable than other countries with large amounts of oil exports, the cost of drilling may outweigh the oil sought after in the shale, thus affecting the total output and energy situation. At the same time, drilling in China and Russia could affect U.S. drilling outputs.
Via: The Morning Call > Shale could give U.S. enough oil to meet demands
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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.