Environment
Pittsburgh is right in the center of another energy revolution. The drilling of Marcellus ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock.ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. is one of the most highly productive types of sedimentary rock whose density provides tight stores forhydrocarbon reserves below. Marcellus ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. is a rock formationA body of earth material with distinctive and characteristic properties. running through about two-thirds of Pennsylvania, and areas of New York and West Virginia. Geologists estimate that there is a large enough natural gas reserve within the shaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. to power the United States for one to eight years. promises many positive attributes for those who are currently living in the area, including jobs and lucrative leases for current landowners.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental ProtectionThis state agency has permitting and primary regulatory authority over the natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum. industry in the state. has handed out permits for well over 3,000 drilling permits for a chance to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and generate tremendous wealth.
20,000 new jobs are being promised by 2020. Horizontal drillingHorizontal Drilling is the most rapidly growing movement in the industry. Essentially, in addition to the vertical shaft in an oil or gas well, special equipment allows producers to extend horizontal shafts into areas that could not otherwise be reached. and hydraulic fracturingRefers to a method used by producers to extract more natural gas from a well by opening up rock formations using hydraulic or explosive force.Refers to a method used by producers to extract more natural gas from a well by opening up rock formations using hydraulic or explosive force. permits the drilling of multiple wells from a single spot. A mix of water, sand and chemical additives are then pumped in at a high pressure – which cracks the shaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. like concrete and drives the gas to the surface.
Each well uses three to five million gallons of water per well. Some companies are committed to recycling the used water. However, the water disposal is not consistent across the board. While the industry is addressing the current issues, the EPAFederal agency that regulates industrial impacts on the environment. is conducting a $1.9 million dollar study which hopes to answer questions on the frackingRefers to a method used by producers to extract more natural gas from a well by opening up rock formations using hydraulic or explosive force. process. As drilling becomes more and more abundant, environmentalists are formulating their own responses to the current issue at hand.
With so much at stake, what are your current thoughts on Marcellus ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock.ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. is one of the most highly productive types of sedimentary rock whose density provides tight stores forhydrocarbon reserves below. Marcellus ShaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. is a rock formationA body of earth material with distinctive and characteristic properties. running through about two-thirds of Pennsylvania, and areas of New York and West Virginia. Geologists estimate that there is a large enough natural gas reserve within the shaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. to power the United States for one to eight years. and its affect on the environment? Leave your comments and concerns below.
