Articles tagged with Shale Gas
A critically stressed fault has been identified in the Karoo Basin, which could be perturbed by potential shale gas exploration. The researchers used data from geophones and previously collected geophysical data to characterize and interpret the seismicity in the area.
A new review highlights the complex mixture of emerging contaminants in shale gas waste, including persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disrupting chemicals. The study emphasizes the need for integrated management strategies to balance energy production with environmental protection.
A new study by Cornell University finds that liquefied natural gas (LNG) exported from the US has a one-third larger carbon footprint than coal when considering processing and shipping. LNG's extraction, processing, transportation, and storage account for approximately half of its total greenhouse gas footprint.
Researchers have found that lithium can be extracted from Pennsylvania wastewater with high efficiency, potentially supplying up to 40% of the country's demand. This could bring the US closer to meeting its goal of producing all lithium domestically by 2030.
Researchers at WVU develop a cotreatment process that reduces demand for chemicals to soften wastewater, allowing treated water to be reused up to 99% of its original volume. The study's findings offer a potential solution to the industry's water use challenge and could close the cycle of treating cooling tower blowdown and reusing it.
A research team analyzed the economic feasibility of in situ upgrading technology by assessing the energy consumption ratio. They found that appropriate well spacing and minimum total organic content are crucial for efficient energy use. The study aims to promote the application of this technology for optimized oil shale exploitation.
A new study published in Earth Science Frontiers reveals that lacustrine shale oil reserves in China have significant potential to shape energy security and geopolitics. The research identifies optimal conditions for shale oil accumulation, including high organic content and thermal maturity, as well as characteristics of these deposits.
A new study finds that fracking is linked to poor birth outcomes and contaminants in public drinking water. The research, which analyzed data from Pennsylvania between 2006 and 2015, shows a significant increase in preterm births and low birth weight among infants exposed to fracking-related chemicals.
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a catalyst technology that converts methane into ethane and ethylene with high efficiency and selectivity. The new technology uses platinum-based MXene structures to break down methane bonds, producing valuable chemicals without emitting the most abundant greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide.
A team of Lehigh University researchers is studying a promising alternative catalytic process based on solid acid catalysts for ethylene dimerization. Using in situ and operando molecular spectroscopy, they aim to understand the surface structures of the catalyst and design more active catalysts with reduced environmental impact.
A study by economists from Ural Federal University and Shippensburg University found that the fracking boom led to increased burglaries and violent crimes in rural US states. The increase in violent crime rates was attributed to factors such as low-skilled temporary jobs, income inequality, and environmental disamenities.
Air pollution levels from shale gas development may have exceeded air quality standards, affecting over 36,000 people in PA, according to Penn State scientists. Doubling the required setback distance reduced exposure by about half.
West Virginia University engineers have developed a new low-cost process to convert natural gas flared at industrial sites into high-value solid carbon and hydrogen. The $3 million DOE award aims to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions from shale gas production, benefiting various industries and the economy.
Researchers at Texas A&M University developed an analytical procedure to predict oil and gas flow in newly drilled wells using spreadsheet-based analysis. This method matches the accuracy of complex reservoir simulations but is much quicker and can be used by technicians with little training.
A study estimated the cumulative effects of shale gas production in the Appalachian basin on air quality and employment, finding negative impacts on both with some positive effects. The study also found persistent climate change effects that may last for generations.
A new Cornell University study suggests that shale oil and gas production, particularly fracking, is contributing to the increase in atmospheric methane levels. The research found that methane from fracking has a distinct carbon-13 signature, indicating its origin, which was previously misattributed to biological sources.
Researchers found that 12.3% of Pennsylvania outdoor recreationists were substantially impacted by shale natural gas development activities, while 13.8% changed their plans or avoided certain areas due to perceived conflicts between SGD and parks. The study highlights the need for lawmakers, managers, and industry representatives to co...
Research found that forest interior birds like the Ovenbird decline in numbers near gas development, while early successional species like the Indigo Bunting increase in population. Conversely, human-adapted birds like the Brown-headed Cowbird are attracted to areas disturbed by fracking.
A new computational model accurately predicts fracture mechanics, allowing for optimized pumping rates and fracturing fluid properties. This could lead to a greater percentage of gas extraction from deep shale strata, increasing industry efficiency and profitability.
A new study reviews current knowledge on flow processes during shale gas extraction, outlining how pore distribution and geometry affect gas transport. The authors present a model that matches experimental evidence, revealing the impact of rock bottlenecks on gas production.
A study in central Pennsylvania found chemical and isotopic evidence of upward methane migration from the Marcellus shale, suggesting geochemical indicators for distinguishing recent methane contamination. The research also identified geological features facilitating methane migration near hydraulically fractured shale gas wells.
Scientists analyzed pre- and post-drilling water samples to identify methane contamination sources near Marcellus Shale gas wells. The study found that drilling-related methane leaks can change water chemistry, mobilizing metals and releasing unwanted compounds.
A new study found that water use for hydraulic fracturing in the US has been increasing at individual facilities, with some regions seeing a 770% rise. This trend may impact future global oil and gas development due to increased water requirements.
A new study of groundwater in Bradford County shows improving water quality despite heavy Marcellus Shale development. Researchers used data-mining techniques to find rare instances of possible gas contamination near seven out of 1,385 shale wells.
A Rice University study reveals a connection between dinosaur-era volcanoes and the formation of shale gas and oil fields. The research suggests that nutrient-rich ash from thousands of volcanic eruptions led to the creation of these deposits.
Researchers have created a novel non-invasive method to quantify untapped natural gas reservoirs by analyzing the compositional distribution on porous surfaces inside shale rocks. This method provides both average and deviation values of material properties, aiding decision-making in the industry.
Scientists estimate tens to hundreds of well sites could be needed in the UK to extract shale gas, with hundreds to thousands of wells drilled over several years. The researchers used data from the UK's milk and fuel transportation industries as a comparator for any future UK shale gas industry.
Scientists estimate that hydraulic fracturing could affect aquatic organisms in 7-51% of streams due to freshwater usage. Improved monitoring is needed to protect these vital habitats and drinking water sources.
Shale gas ranks seventh out of nine electricity options due to its significant environmental and social impacts. To become a more sustainable option, large improvements are needed, including reducing environmental impacts by 329-fold and increasing employment by 16 times.
Researchers at NREL and Johns Hopkins University have developed a methodology to quantify the life cycle land use of natural gas. The study provides quantifiable information on the land use requirements for natural gas production, enabling fair comparisons of energy technologies.
A new estimation approach for total organic carbon (TOC) content is validated using well data from the Goldwyer Formation. The method provides reliable TOC estimates for wells inside and outside the Barbwire Terrace, as well as global lacustrine shale. This improves assessments of shale play prospects and potential hydrocarbon resource.
The TAMEST Shale Task Force report highlights both benefits and consequences of shale development in Texas. Key findings include an increase in earthquakes due to wastewater disposal wells, habitat fragmentation, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and contamination risks to drinking water sources.
Researchers used a coarse-grain approach to model the behavior of fluids in tiny pores within shale rock. The simulations incorporated high-resolution imagery of shale samples, allowing for better probing of the underlying physics. This new understanding could lead to more efficient oil and gas extraction methods.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that fracking wastewater has polluted surface water in northwestern West Virginia. Despite this, groundwater remains untouched, according to the three-year study that tested 112 drinking wells.
Researchers from Durham University found that only a quarter of the UK's largest shale gas reserve might be recoverable due to limited space for well development. To minimize land disruption and environmental impact, they recommend locating wells as far apart as possible and operating on a multi-well basis.
Researchers at Penn State are using a computer program to analyze water quality data from Pennsylvania's streams, rivers, and private wells to detect potential environmental impacts of Marcellus Shale gas drilling. The study found that methane concentrations tend to be higher around fault lines.
The study, published in The Electricity Journal, suggests that the increasing availability of cheap shale gas has led to a decline in coal-generated electricity. The researchers found that despite proposed new EPA rules, power plants have continued to favor gas due to its technological and economic advantages.
A novel algorithm reduces surface-level environmental impacts from shale gas development by more than a third, at a relatively small additional cost. The study, published in Conservation Biology, found that developers can avoid significant environmental disturbances by steering development away from habitats associated with rare species.
Researchers found the Bakken Formation in North Dakota and Montana emits roughly 2% of global ethane, equivalent to 250,000 tons per year. This single region's emissions are 10-100 times larger than reported inventories and impact air quality across North America.
New studies on shale oil production have found that it generates greenhouse gas emissions at levels comparable to traditional crude oil production. The research analyzed the Eagle Ford and Bakken plays in Texas and North Dakota, respectively, and used a life-cycle model to estimate energy consumption and emissions.
A new Duke University study finds that energy companies used nearly 250 billion gallons of water for US fracking between 2005 and 2014, while generating about 210 billion gallons of wastewater. The study's findings highlight the need for better treatment and disposal methods for chemical-laden flowback water and brine-laden wastewater.
Northwestern University professor Fengqi You uses life-cycle analysis to make the production more environmentally and economically friendly. By restructuring the supply chain, he found that a network of pipelines can transport freshwater and shale gas, reducing trucks and exhaust emissions.
A Drexel University team conducted a mobile air quality monitoring campaign to assess the impact of natural gas extraction on air quality in the Marcellus Shale region. The study found relatively small increases in air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic chemicals, with elevated ultrafine particles from compressor s...
A new hydrogeochemical modelling approach reveals the specific methane generation process in Europe for the first time. The formation of biogenic shale gas in Sweden's crust is relatively young, dating back to deglaciation around 12,000 years ago.
Scientists have discovered chemical compounds, including 2-BE and organic contaminants, in the drinking water of three Pennsylvania homes near a reported well-pad leak. The new technique, GCxGC-TOFMS, was used to characterize the contamination, which is believed to have originated from fracking fluids or drilling additives.
Radon levels in Pennsylvania homes have risen since 2004, coinciding with the onset of fracking. The study found higher readings in buildings near active gas wells compared to low-activity areas. Radon is a known carcinogen that can accumulate in homes without adequate ventilation, increasing lung cancer risk.
Researchers at Penn State and USGS use a new stream-based monitoring system to detect high levels of methane in Sugar Run stream, consistent with what would be found in shale gas. The findings show that stream monitoring is an effective method for assessing the environmental impact of extracting natural gas using fracking.
A new study by Rice University economists found that the US natural gas market would be resilient to potential local policy interventions aimed at limiting access to shale gas resources. The efficiency of the market, driven by deep liquidity and robust infrastructure, renders local policies largely irrelevant to the broader market.
Duke University scientists have discovered high levels of ammonium and iodide in oil and gas wastewater, exceeding EPA water-quality thresholds. These contaminants can harm aquatic life and promote toxic byproducts in drinking water when mixed with chlorine.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh have contributed three studies to a special issue of the journal Energy Technology, focusing on smart wells, wastewater management, and information gaps related to shale gas drilling. The research aims to improve extraction through wireless communication and safely reuse drilling wastewater.
A new study finds that shale gas has comparable greenhouse gas emissions to conventional natural gas, but is better than renewables in some areas. However, it's worse than coal in others. The researchers recommend strict regulation to mitigate the environmental impacts of shale gas.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that methane contamination in groundwater wells is mostly caused by faulty cement and casing, not drilling or fracking. Improved well construction standards may help prevent future leaks.
A study by researchers from five universities found that contamination in drinking water wells in Pennsylvania and Texas stems from well-integrity problems such as poor casing and cementing. The analysis used noble gas and hydrocarbon tracers to identify the source of fugitive methane and determine if it is natural or not.
New research by Penn State scientists suggests that hydraulic fracturing water is not a significant risk to groundwater, as it is sequestered in the rock formation. The study found that capillary and osmotic forces prevent upward migration of residual treatment water into overlying groundwater.
A study by conservation biologists highlights the lack of accessible information on fracking fluid chemistry and spill data, raising concerns about chemical contamination and its impact on plants and wildlife. The authors call for increased transparency and cooperation to minimize environmental damage.
Shale gas development poses significant ecological threats due to air, water, noise, and light pollution. The study highlights the need for improved data collection and transparency on spills, wastewater disposal, and fracturing fluids.
A University of Montreal study reveals that Quebecers' opposition to shale gas is driven by a strong sense of egalitarianism, which skews their perception of the issue. Egalitarians are more likely to perceive risks related to hydraulic fracturing methods, while individualists focus on benefits.
Scientists have developed coatings that can separate oil from water instantly and efficiently, using an oleophobic-hydrophilic material. The new smart materials could stop surfaces from getting foggy and dirty, and reduce the need for extra steps and equipment in oil spill cleanup.
The shale gas industry's high water usage competes with residential and agricultural needs in arid regions, depleting groundwater resources. Researchers suggest using brackish water and recycling wastewater to minimize the industry's water footprint.
A UK public health expert calls for more research on the health impacts of shale gas extraction, citing studies showing a direct link between proximity to extraction sites and adverse birth outcomes.