The 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. is a rock formationA body of earth material with distinctive and characteristic properties. that lies more than a mile beneath the earth’s surface.  The formationA body of earth material with distinctive and characteristic properties. is special because it contains a significant volume of natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum. trapped inside tiny spaces within the rock.  It is estimated that the gas within the rock could supply the United States for the next decade – this is a result of the newer technologies used to drill below the earth’s surface.

The term “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.” is a one that you probably have heard.  Whether it is on the local news channel, online in an article, or in the newspaper – the word is closely associated with the 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. drilling.  But what exactly is 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.?

“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.” – or 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. is the process in which oil and gas companies drill into the ground to extract natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum. from the shaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. rock that lays thousands of feet under the ground.   Extracting the gas involves drilling down to the depth of the formationA body of earth material with distinctive and characteristic properties. using new 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. technology that exposes more of the shaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock..  Once the formationA body of earth material with distinctive and characteristic properties. is reached, gallons of water, sand, and an extensive list of manmade chemicals are injected into the well under high pressure.  This combination inserted in the well, will fracture the rock and release gas.

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 is very technical and very intensive.  Through the drilling process, each well can require up to 6 million gallons of water to reach desired completion.  Drilling companies typically pipe the water they use from nearby rivers and streams.

Below is a step by step process of 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. and the steps it takes to extract natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum. from 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..

STEP ONE:

Once a drilling location is established, the drilling can begin.  A drill bitThe cutting part of a drill; usually pointed and threaded and is replaceable in a brace or bitstock. is then mounted on the end of a drill pipeA hollow, thick-walled, steel piping that is used on drilling rigs to facilitate the drilling of a wellbore and comes in a variety of sizes, strengths, and weights. They are hollow to allow drilling fluid to be pumped through them, down the hole, and back up the annulusA part, structure, or marking resembling a ring...  As the bit continues to grind its way down, air is pumped down the pipe to flush rock cuttings from the hole and lift them to the surface.

The hole is drilled to just underneath the first amount of fresh water underneath the surface.  Then the drill pipeA hollow, thick-walled, steel piping that is used on drilling rigs to facilitate the drilling of a wellbore and comes in a variety of sizes, strengths, and weights. They are hollow to allow drilling fluid to be pumped through them, down the hole, and back up the annulusA part, structure, or marking resembling a ring.. and bit are now removed.

Next, surface casingUsed to line the walls of a gas well to prevent collapse of the well. It is also used to protect the surrounding earth and rock layers from being contaminated by petroleum, or the drilling fluids.The first string of casingUsed to line the walls of a gas well to prevent collapse of the well. It is also used to protect the surrounding earth and rock layers from being contaminated by petroleum, or the drilling fluids. put into a well. Surface casingUsed to line the walls of a gas well to prevent collapse of the well. It is also used to protect the surrounding earth and rock layers from being contaminated by petroleum, or the drilling fluids. is cemented into bedrock and serves to shut out shallow water formations and as a foundation for well control during drilling operations. is inserted into the hole to isolate the fresh water zone.  And, also serves as a foundation for the blowout preventerA large, specialized valve used to seal, control and monitor oil and gas wells. – a safety device that connects the rigThe physical apparatus used to drill and frack wells. These are large portable operations that are assembled on site and disassembled when the well has been capped or brought into production. to the wellbore.  Then, cement is pumped through the casingUsed to line the walls of a gas well to prevent collapse of the well. It is also used to protect the surrounding earth and rock layers from being contaminated by petroleum, or the drilling fluids. and out through the opening of the shoe at the bottom of the casingUsed to line the walls of a gas well to prevent collapse of the well. It is also used to protect the surrounding earth and rock layers from being contaminated by petroleum, or the drilling fluids..

The cement is then forced up between the casingUsed to line the walls of a gas well to prevent collapse of the well. It is also used to protect the surrounding earth and rock layers from being contaminated by petroleum, or the drilling fluids. and the hole sealing off the wellbore from the fresh water.  The cementing process prevents any contamination of the fresh water aquifers.

The pipe and bit are lowered back down the hole to drill through the plug and the cement and continue the vertical section of the well to approximately 500 feet above the plant horizontal leg.  This depth is called the kick off point – where the curve will begin so that the horizontal section can be drilled.

Again, the pipe and bit are pulled out of the hole.  A down hole drilling motor is inserted in the hole to begin 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.. 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. is the most efficient type of drilling technique.  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. begins as a typical vertical well, but when the desired distance is reached, it makes a 90 degree turn so that the well can run along the length of the seam.

The distance is under a quarter of the mile.  It takes over 350 pieces of pipe to drill a 10,500 foot well.  While drilling, the drill and drill bitThe cutting part of a drill; usually pointed and threaded and is replaceable in a brace or bitstock. usually require maintenance.  This maintenance is also referred to as “tripping pipeThe physical act of pulling the drill string out of the wellbore and then running it back in..”

When target distance is reached, the drill and pipe are removed once again. Production casingUsed to line the walls of a gas well to prevent collapse of the well. It is also used to protect the surrounding earth and rock layers from being contaminated by petroleum, or the drilling fluids. is inserted into the full length of the wellbore.  Cement is pumped down the casingUsed to line the walls of a gas well to prevent collapse of the well. It is also used to protect the surrounding earth and rock layers from being contaminated by petroleum, or the drilling fluids. and out through the hole, forcing the cement up between the casingUsed to line the walls of a gas well to prevent collapse of the well. It is also used to protect the surrounding earth and rock layers from being contaminated by petroleum, or the drilling fluids. and the wall of the hole, filling the open space.  CasingUsed to line the walls of a gas well to prevent collapse of the well. It is also used to protect the surrounding earth and rock layers from being contaminated by petroleum, or the drilling fluids. the well is a very important process because it permantaly secures the wellbore and it prevents hydrocarbons from seeping out as they are brought to he surface.  At this point, the drilling rigThe physical apparatus used to drill and frack wells. These are large portable operations that are assembled on site and disassembled when the well has been capped or brought into production. is no longer needed.  A temporary well head is installed.

STEP TWO – Perfing and 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.

Once step one is complete, it is now time to perf and frackRefers to a method used by producers to extract more natural gas from a well by opening up rock formations using hydraulic or explosive force. the area.

Perfing – a perforating gun is lowered by wire line into the casingUsed to line the walls of a gas well to prevent collapse of the well. It is also used to protect the surrounding earth and rock layers from being contaminated by petroleum, or the drilling fluids..  An electrical current is sent down and sets off a charge that shoots small holes through the casingUsed to line the walls of a gas well to prevent collapse of the well. It is also used to protect the surrounding earth and rock layers from being contaminated by petroleum, or the drilling fluids. and cement.  The perf gun in then pulled out of the hole.

Next, the well will have to be fracked.  Water, sand, and lube are sent into the wellbore under high pressure.   As the mixture is forced through, the shaleA fine grained sedimentary rock composed mostly of consolidated clay or mud. Shale is the most frequently occurring sedimentary rock. is pressured to fracture.  This creates a fairway connecting the reservoir to the well and allows the released gas to flow to the wellbore.

A temp plug is placed at the end of the first frackRefers to a method used by producers to extract more natural gas from a well by opening up rock formations using hydraulic or explosive force..  The second stage section can then be perfed and fracked.  With advancements in technology, multi stage 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. has become the norm.  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. is completed several times to cover the horizontal distance of the wellbore.

Once 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. is complete, the plugs are pulled and gas flows up the wellbore.  A permanent wellhead is installed – which is also called a “Christmas treeA term given to the series of pipes and valves that sits on top of a producing gas well. Also used in place of a pump to extract the gas from the well..”  A pipelineUnderground or surface tubing or piping that is installed across states, countries and continents to deliver fuel. New pipelines are being built in Pennsylvania and New Jersey to transport natural gas, liquid natural gas, and water to make gas production more economical. is built to transport the gas to the pipelineUnderground or surface tubing or piping that is installed across states, countries and continents to deliver fuel. New pipelines are being built in Pennsylvania and New Jersey to transport natural gas, liquid natural gas, and water to make gas production more economical. network.

 Diagram of a Typical 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. Operation