Natural Gas Plays in the Marcellus Shale: Challenges and Potential Opportunities

Kargbo, David M.; Wilhelm, Ron G.; Campbell, David

doi:10.1021/es903811p

Cited by 578 publications

(412 citation statements)

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“…Concerns include migration of natural gas, hydraulic fracturing fluids, and/or brines into shallow aquifers (Kargbo et al 2010;Osborn et al 2011;Jackson et al 2013). Research had been hindered, however, by the lack of baseline analyses of natural groundwater conditions in regions of significant shale gas potential and in areas of current shale gas development (Vidic et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of long-term regional pumping on hydrochemistry and dissolved gas content in an undeveloped shale-gas-bearing aquifer in southwestern Ontario, Canada

et al. 2015

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Baseline groundwater geochemical mapping of inorganic and isotopic parameters across 44,000 km 2 of southwestern Ontario (Canada) has delineated a discreet zone of natural gas in the bedrock aquifer coincident with an 8,000-km 2 exposure of Middle Devonian shale. This study describes the ambient geochemical conditions in these shales in the context of other strata, including Ordovician shales, and discusses shale-related natural and anthropogenic processes contributing to hydrogeochemical conditions in the aquifer. The three Devonian shales-the Kettle Point Formation (Antrim equivalent), Hamilton Group and Marcellus Formation-have higher DOC, DIC, HCO 3 , CO 2(aq) , pH and iodide, and much higher CH 4(aq). The two Ordovician shales-the Queenston and Georgian-Bay/Blue Mountain Formations-are higher in Ca, Mg, SO 4 and H 2 S. In the Devonian shale region, isotopic zones of Pleistoceneaged groundwater have halved in size since first identified in the 1980s; potentiometric data implicate regional groundwater extraction in the shrinkage. Isotopically younger waters invading the aquifer show rapid increases in CH 4(aq) , pH and iodide with depth and rapid decrease in oxidized carbon species including CO 2 , HCO 3 and DIC, suggesting contemporary methanogenesis. Pumping in the Devonian shale contact aquifer may stimulate methanogenesis by lowering TDS, removing products and replacing reactants, including bicarbonate, derived from overlying glacial sedimentary aquifers.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of long-term regional pumping on hydrochemistry and dissolved gas content in an undeveloped shale-gas-bearing aquifer in southwestern Ontario, Canada

et al. 2015

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“…Directional drilling and hydraulic-fracturing technologies are allowing expanded natural-gas extraction from organic-rich shales in the United States and elsewhere (2,3). Accompanying the benefits of such extraction (6,7) are public concerns about drinking-water contamination from drilling and hydraulic fracturing that are ubiquitous but lack a strong scientific foundation. In this paper, we evaluate the potential impacts associated with gas-well drilling and fracturing on shallow groundwater systems of the Catskill and Lockhaven formations that overlie the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania and the Genesee Group that overlies the Utica Shale in New York (Figs.…”

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confidence: 99%

Methane contamination of drinking water accompanying gas-well drilling and hydraulic fracturing

Osborn¹,

Vengosh²,

Warner³

et al. 2011

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

1,099

825

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Directional drilling and hydraulic-fracturing technologies are dramatically increasing natural-gas extraction. In aquifers overlying the Marcellus and Utica shale formations of northeastern Pennsylvania and upstate New York, we document systematic evidence for methane contamination of drinking water associated with shalegas extraction. In active gas-extraction areas (one or more gas wells within 1 km), average and maximum methane concentrations in drinking-water wells increased with proximity to the nearest gas well and were 19.2 and 64 mg CH 4 L −1 (n ¼ 26), a potential explosion hazard; in contrast, dissolved methane samples in neighboring nonextraction sites (no gas wells within 1 km) within similar geologic formations and hydrogeologic regimes averaged only 1.1 mg L −1 (P < 0.05; n ¼ 34). Average δ 13 C-CH 4 values of dissolved methane in shallow groundwater were significantly less negative for active than for nonactive sites (−37 AE 7‰ and −54 AE 11‰, respectively; P < 0.0001). These δ 13 C-CH 4 data, coupled with the ratios of methane-to-higher-chain hydrocarbons, and δ 2 H-CH 4 values, are consistent with deeper thermogenic methane sources such as the Marcellus and Utica shales at the active sites and matched gas geochemistry from gas wells nearby. In contrast, lower-concentration samples from shallow groundwater at nonactive sites had isotopic signatures reflecting a more biogenic or mixed biogenic/ thermogenic methane source. We found no evidence for contamination of drinking-water samples with deep saline brines or fracturing fluids. We conclude that greater stewardship, data, andpossibly-regulation are needed to ensure the sustainable future of shale-gas extraction and to improve public confidence in its use.groundwater | organic-rich shale | isotopes | formation waters | water chemistry

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“…Recent research and development of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) techniques in the USA and Canada combined with rising fossil fuel prices, has led to the profitable expansion of global unconventional gas production to become the most rapidly expanding trend in onshore domestic fossil fuel exploration and production worldwide (Kargbo et al, 2010;Schlumberger, 2005;Vagnetti, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Following this report the Coalition Government developed a policy framework in the Spending Round 2013 to stimulate shale gas investment: including industry tax incentives, a new regulatory framework and community benefits package for shale gas host communities (HM Treasury, 2013a), and 100% business rate recovery from fracking operations for local authorities (double the existing 50% rate), resulting in an estimated £1.7 million per annum With growing opposition to shale gas activities a growing body of social scientific analysis is beginning to emerge. The effect of shale gas upon gas and electricity markets and broader energy policy in the United States, East Asia and Europe is now well documented (Asche et al, 2012;Gény, 2011;Hu and Xu, 2013;Jenner and Lamadrid, 2013;Kargbo et al, 2010;Pearson et al, 2012;Rogers, 2011;Stevens, 2010;U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2013;Wakamatsu and Kentaka, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shale gas policy in the United Kingdom: An argumentative discourse analysis

2014

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Shale gas has become an energy policy priority in the United Kingdom in light of profitable extraction activities in the United States. Since 2012, the UK Government has created key economic drivers to encourage shale exploration, whilst growing activism in affected site communities has stirred significant media and academic commentary. This study examines the growing national debate as a matter of discourse; adopting an argumentative discourse analytic approach to assess data collected from stakeholder interviews (n=21) and key policy actor statements quoted in broadsheet newspapers. We explore three dominant 'storylines' emerging in relation to shale gas policy.

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Natural Gas Plays in the Marcellus Shale: Challenges and Potential Opportunities

Abstract: Tapping the lucrative Marcellus Shale natural gas deposits may have a host of environmental concerns.

Cited by 578 publications

References 4 publications

The effect of long-term regional pumping on hydrochemistry and dissolved gas content in an undeveloped shale-gas-bearing aquifer in southwestern Ontario, Canada

The effect of long-term regional pumping on hydrochemistry and dissolved gas content in an undeveloped shale-gas-bearing aquifer in southwestern Ontario, Canada

Methane contamination of drinking water accompanying gas-well drilling and hydraulic fracturing

Shale gas policy in the United Kingdom: An argumentative discourse analysis

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