US natural gas rig count adds six units last week
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
The U.S. natural gas rig count increased six units to 156 during the week ended Jan. 20, according to Natural Gas Intelligence.
However, despite the increase in natural gas-directed drilling, oil-directed drilling posted a 10-rig decline and the combined count fell four units to 771, according to the latest figures from Baker Hughes.
The combined 771 active drilling rigs are still ahead of the same time a year earlier when there were only 604 active drilling rigs.
Learn more: Natural Gas Intelligence > U.S. adds six natural gas rigs as oil count pulls back
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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.