Determining the source and genetic fingerprint of natural gases using noble gas geochemistry: A northern Appalachian Basin case study

Hunt, Andrew G.; Darrah, Thomas H.; Poreda, Robert J.

doi:10.1306/03161211093

Cited by 74 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 85 publications

(146 reference statements)

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“…Helium is an inert noble gas with a radiogenic isotope, 4 He, that is a major component of thermogenic natural gas. Similar to hydrocarbon components, the abundance and isotopic composition of helium can help distinguish between potential sources and/or residence times of fluids in the crust, including natural gases (15,16,33). Across our dataset, the ratio of 4 He:CH 4 in most drinking water wells showed a typical range between ∼2 × 10 −3 and 1 × 10 −2 , independent of distance to natural gas wells (Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…Analyses of δ 13 C-CH 4 and δ 13 C-C 2 H 6 can help constrain potential sources of thermally mature natural gases (14,15,30). Because organic matter cracks to form oil and then natural gas, the gases initially are enriched in higher aliphatic hydrocarbons C 2 and C 3 (e.g., C 3 > C 2 > C 1 ; i.e., a relatively wet gas).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In most natural gases, the isotopic composition (δ 13 C) of C 3 > C 2 > C 1 (i.e., δ 13 C of ethane is heavier than methane). In thermally mature black shales, however, this maturity trend reverses, creating diagnostic isotopic reversals in which the δ 13 C-CH 4 becomes heavier than δ 13 C-C 2 H 6 (Δ 13 C = δ 13 C-CH 4 − δ 13 C-C 2 H 6 > 1) (14,15,28,30,32).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We present comprehensive analyses for distance to gas wells and ethane and propane concentrations, two hydrocarbons that are not derived from biogenic activity and are associated only with thermogenic sources. Finally, we use extensive isotopic data [e.g., δ 13 C-CH 4 , δ 2 H-CH 4 , δ 13 C-C 2 H 6 , δ 13 C-dissolved inorganic carbon (δ 13 C-DIC), and δ 2 H-H 2 O] and helium analysis ( 4 He/CH 4 ) to distinguish among different sources for the gases observed (14)(15)(16).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Increased stray gas abundance in a subset of drinking water wells near Marcellus shale gas extraction

Jackson

Vengosh²,

Darrah³

et al. 2013

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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505

475

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Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing are transforming energy production, but their potential environmental effects remain controversial. We analyzed 141 drinking water wells across the Appalachian Plateaus physiographic province of northeastern Pennsylvania, examining natural gas concentrations and isotopic signatures with proximity to shale gas wells. Methane was detected in 82% of drinking water samples, with average concentrations six times higher for homes <1 km from natural gas wells (P = 0.0006). Ethane was 23 times higher in homes <1 km from gas wells (P = 0.0013); propane was detected in 10 water wells, all within approximately 1 km distance (P = 0.01). Of three factors previously proposed to influence gas concentrations in shallow groundwater (distances to gas wells, valley bottoms, and the Appalachian Structural Front, a proxy for tectonic deformation), distance to gas wells was highly significant for methane concentrations (P = 0.007; multiple regression), whereas distances to valley bottoms and the Appalachian Structural Front were not significant (P = 0.27 and P = 0.11, respectively). Distance to gas wells was also the most significant factor for Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses (P < 0.01). For ethane concentrations, distance to gas wells was the only statistically significant factor (P < 0.005). Isotopic signatures (δ 13 C-CH 4 , δ 13 C-C 2 H 6 , and δ 2 H-CH 4 ), hydrocarbon ratios (methane to ethane and propane), and the ratio of the noble gas 4 He to CH 4 in groundwater were characteristic of a thermally postmature Marcellus-like source in some cases. Overall, our data suggest that some homeowners living <1 km from gas wells have drinking water contaminated with stray gases.carbon, hydrogen, and helium isotopes | groundwater contamination | geochemical fingerprinting | fracking | hydrology and ecology

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 82%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Increased stray gas abundance in a subset of drinking water wells near Marcellus shale gas extraction

Jackson

Vengosh²,

Darrah³

et al. 2013

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

Self Cite

505

475

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The isotopic analyses of noble gases were conducted using a Thermo Fisher Helix SFT Noble Gas mass spectrometer, following methods reported previously Darrah et al, 2013;Hunt et al, 2012). The He isotopic ratios are expressed as R/Ra, where R is the 3 He/ 4 He measured ratio, and Ra is the 3 He/ 4 He ratio in the air (1.39 × 10 −6 ; Mamyrin and Tolstikhin, 1984).…”

Section: Sampling and Analytical Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geothermal potential and origin of natural thermal fluids in the northern Lake Abaya area, Main Ethiopian Rift, East Africa

Minissale

Corti

Tassi

et al. 2017

Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research

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In this study, the occurrence, chemical composition, origin and geothermal significance of thermal springs and fumaroles naturally discharging in the area located north of the Lake Abaya (western margin of the Main Ethiopian Rift, East Africa) are reviewed in relation with recent tectonics. All thermal springs showed a dominantly Na-HCO 3 composition, consistent with observations dating from at least 1972, and most of them displayed a narrow range of δD and δ 18 O isotopic compositions for water similar to regional meteoric origins. These observations suggest that water-rock interaction processes occur in all aquifers and dominate the contributions of water that actively circulate within thermal fluids, and also suggest a similar elevation of groundwater recharge throughout the study area. Most of the thermal springs are dominated by a CO 2 -rich gas phase and discharge along the active faults bordering the western edge of the Main Ethiopian Rift valley. The δ 13 C values of CO 2 and the 3 He/ 4 He isotopic ratios are consistent with the presence of mantle-derived fluids similar to what is observed in many other areas along the kinematically active African Rift, especially within Ethiopia. The application of geothermometric techniques in the liquid and the gas phases suggests the presence of a deep reservoir in which the fluids equilibrated at a maximum temperature of approximately 180°C. Additionally, the presence of fumaroles at boiling temperatures and water/mud boiling pools in several places suggests that the geothermal reservoir is positioned at a relatively shallow depth and likely located in the western side of the study area. The analysis of data collected throughout time reveals that the waters of Lake Abaya have experienced an increase in salinity of 20% paralleled contemporaneously with a decrease in pH and δ 18 O and δD of water in the last 40 years; these changes do not appear to be related to climate changeinduced increases in temperature or evaporation at the global scale.

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Geochemical characteristics of noble gases in natural gas and their application in tracing natural gas migration in the middle part of the western Sichuan Depression, China

et al. 2013

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Noble gases in natural gas, from Xiaoquan, Xinchang, Hexingchang and Fenggu gas the volume content of crustal noble gases accounts for 97.9% to 99.7% of the total noble gas content, indicating that the noble gases in the study area are very largely derived from the crust. Moreover, the 40 light hydrocarbons. Due to the short migration distance, the separation of 4 He and 40 4 He and 40 Ar in Middle and Upper Jurassic natural Jurassic formations. In addition, the variation trends of 3 He/ 4 13 C 1 value indicates that natural gas migration is from the Xujiahe formation to the Jurassic layer in the study area.

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Determining the source and genetic fingerprint of natural gases using noble gas geochemistry: A northern Appalachian Basin case study

Cited by 74 publications

References 85 publications

Increased stray gas abundance in a subset of drinking water wells near Marcellus shale gas extraction

Increased stray gas abundance in a subset of drinking water wells near Marcellus shale gas extraction

Geothermal potential and origin of natural thermal fluids in the northern Lake Abaya area, Main Ethiopian Rift, East Africa

Geochemical characteristics of noble gases in natural gas and their application in tracing natural gas migration in the middle part of the western Sichuan Depression, China

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