West Virginia is gaining pace in 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 venture. Natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum. production is rapidly snowballing and creating a change in the economy.
In an article by the Associated Press, it was estimated that 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. produced $1.2 billion of earnings in West Virginia last year. With Pennsylvania producing $3.5 billion, West Virginia is climbing the charts as a strong producerA natural gas producer is generally involved in exploration, drilling, and refinement of natural gas. There are independent producers, as well as integrated producers, which are generally larger companies that produce, transport and distribute natural gas. of natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum..
A 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. well in Tyler County produced 7 million cubic feet of natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum. in one day. Also produced were 650 barrels of valuable liquids including: ethane, propane, butane, and pentane.
The new gas production has caused prices to fall to $2.50 per 1,000 cubic feet – while the cost was previously $6 per 1,000 cubic feet. The availability of the natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum. is expected to undercut coal, which will cause other various industries to use natural gasA naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gases beneath the earth’s surface – often in association with petroleum..
The Associated Press reported:
“Experts say that a sharp drop in wholesale prices over the past year means that, in the future, much more money will be made — and more jobs created — by petrochemical companies that process the gas into other industrial and consumer compounds.”
