Articles tagged with Shale
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have redated a meteor impact site in Oklahoma, shifting its age from 467.5 million years ago to 370 million years ago. This discovery has significant implications for understanding ancient life and mass extinctions.
A new study reveals that approximately 22.13% of CO2 is adsorbed during the fracturing process, with diffusion further augmenting CO2 interaction with the shale rock over time. This results in a remarkable 26.02% increase in CO2 adsorption, ensuring long-term and stable storage within the reservoir.
Researchers use rhenium as a proxy for carbon to quantify the rate of fossil carbon dioxide release into the atmosphere. The study found that high rates of carbon breakdown persist from mountaintop to floodplain, offering valuable insights into the planet's history and response to climate challenges.
A previously unidentified marine reptile fossil from Svalbard has been classified using X-ray analysis, providing unique insights into ancient life in the Norwegian archipelago. The study's findings suggest that fossils from this formation are particularly well-suited for radiographic imaging due to the presence of sulfur minerals.
Researchers found that golden fossils from Germany's Posidonia shale are primarily made up of phosphate minerals, hinting at the presence of oxygen in the environment. The discovery suggests that oxygen played a crucial role in driving chemical reactions needed for fossilization.
The project aims to collect core samples and temperature data down to 15,000 feet to test the potential of geothermal energy in the region. Data will also be gathered on underground carbon storage in the Appalachian basin, a scientific first in the state.
A research team uncovered a specific kill mechanism responsible for several biotic disruptions during the late Devonian Period. The discovery linked sea level changes, climate fluctuations, and ocean chemistry to mass extinctions, with implications for today's oceans affected by global warming.
The 57th annual meeting of the Geological Society of America's South-Central Section will take place in Oklahoma, USA, from March 13-14. The event features a diverse program covering various geologic disciplines and includes environmental-related sessions on topics such as hydrogeology and unconventional resources.
A new study published in Earth Science Frontiers elucidates the role of nanopores in accumulating shale oil in the Gulong-Qingshankou reservoir in China. The research found that well-developed nanopores and nanofissures play a crucial role in storing shale oil, leading to a high source-reservoir ratio.
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.
Scientists investigate the Alum Shale rock to reconstruct processes of oil and gas formation, identify possible traces of past life on Mars, and explore its potential as a site for nuclear waste disposal.
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.
A new multi-scale approach reveals that fracturing and erosion at the surface set the pace of oxidation in deep underground rocks. The team found that microorganisms can form on pyrite, but geologic processes slow the reaction, preventing acid accumulation.
Researchers developed a new technique using Laser Raman spectroscopy to analyze mineral-organic aggregations (MOA) for estimating thermal maturity levels in high and over-mature marine shales. This method provides an alternative solution for evaluating maturity in lower Paleozoic and Precambrian shales with rare organic matter.
A new species of marine animal, Gyaltsenglossus senis, has provided direct fossil evidence connecting the two major groups of hemichordates. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary relationship between enteropneusta and pterobranchia, two groups that appear to be quite different but are closely related.
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.
Researchers found that forests on shale bedrock store 25% more live aboveground carbon and grow 55% faster than those on sandstone bedrock, making them ideal for conservation and carbon sequestration.
A new genus of Cambrian sea worm, Utahscolex, has been discovered after a partial fossil specimen was unearthed in Utah in 1969. The discovery, led by Anna Whitaker, sheds light on the evolution of life on Earth and provides insights into the diversity of ancient marine life.
A University of Michigan study reveals that ostrich eggshell beads were exchanged over long distances for at least 30,000 years, facilitating relationships between hunter-gatherer groups. The findings provide evidence of a complex exchange network used to share information on resources and landscapes.
Researchers found a 15% increase in gonorrhea and a 10% increase in chlamydia rates in Texas counties with high shale drilling activity. This contrasts with no association observed in Colorado or North Dakota, suggesting the impact may be specific to densely populated areas.
A UTA study found that only five of 36 private water wells showed signs of contamination from unconventional oil and gas development. The study suggests collaborations with trained citizens to collect reliable measurements for better understanding the environmental implications of shale energy extraction.
Scientists will analyze 160 Tournaisian shale samples to understand uranium isotope behavior under varying redox conditions. The project aims to decipher Earth's oxygenation history using this tool.
Scientists discovered a new species, Mollisonia plenovenatrix, in the Burgess Shale fossil site, revealing that scorpions and spiders originated over 500 million years ago. The species had advanced features like 'multi-tool head', chelicerae, and book-like gills, suggesting it was a fierce predator.
Penn State researchers developed a testing protocol using existing water chemistry tests to detect new methane gas leaks from oil and gas drilling. The study found 17 out of 20,751 samples showing possible signs of methane contamination, highlighting the potential for widespread methane migration.
A new predatory species, Cambroraster, has been discovered with rake-like claws and a pineapple-slice-shaped mouth, shedding light on early relatives of insects, crabs, and spiders. The species, named after its remarkable claws, was found in half-a-billion-year-old rocks from Kootenay National Park in the Canadian Rockies.
A NSF-sponsored project led by Colorado State University researcher Mike Wilkins aims to understand how microbes drive ecosystem functions in deep, dark crevices. The study focuses on methylamine metabolism, a critical process for microbial life in fractured shales and other environments.
Researchers have discovered evidence of significant ocean oxygenation before the Great Oxidation Event (GOE), which occurred around 2.5 billion years ago. This finding challenges previous understanding of oxygen accumulation, suggesting it may have extended over large regions of the ocean and even reached the sea floor.
Researchers have discovered fossilized spider eyes with a reflective tapetum, enabling the ancient spiders to hunt at night. The unique preservation of these features in Korean shale has provided valuable insights into the biology and diversity of extinct spider families.
Oil companies can tap into vast sums of recoverable oil in unconventional reservoirs by adopting new methods that account for the unique physics found at these formations. By focusing on diffusion rather than pressure differences, researchers estimate that recoveries can be increased by two to three times.
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.
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.
Researchers at Dartmouth College have characterized the phenomenon of radium transfer in hydraulic fracturing, a widely-used method for extracting oil and gas. The study found that radium present in the Marcellus Shale is leached into saline water, becoming increasingly enriched as wastewater travels through the fracture network.
A new paper by Daniel J. Soeder and Douglas B. Kent summarizes the environmental impacts of shale development, providing a balanced understanding of fracking's merits and demerits. The study addresses various potential impacts of fracking, offering insights for non-geoscientists and experts alike.
Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) enhance wellbore stability by plugging nano-sized pores in shale formations. This study investigates the effects of MWCNT & PEG on water base mud performance, revealing improved rheological properties and thermal stability.
Researchers identified a key metabolic pathway allowing microbes to maintain osmotic balance, produce energy, and obtain carbon and nitrogen. Microbial metabolism significantly influences compound concentrations in shale-derived fluids.
A University of Oregon-led study found that the rapid rise of land above the ocean 2.4 billion years ago triggered dramatic changes in climate and life on Earth. The researchers discovered archival-quality evidence of rainwater weathering, which led to a stepwise change in oxygen isotopes, coinciding with the emergence of eukaryotes an...
Scientists have found that rocks rich in the mineral berthierine, a toxic to decay bacteria, are more likely to preserve soft tissue fossils. This discovery provides a mineralogical signature to find exceptional fossils and potentially supports the search for life on other planets.
Researchers studying water quality around hydraulic fracturing found a blueprint for moving conversations forward through publicly available data and collaboration. The Shale Network has fostered dialogue among diverse stakeholders, including citizens, watershed groups, and energy companies.
Scientists are exploring a new method to extract high-viscosity oils from challenging reservoirs such as shales and strong sands. The technique involves injecting colloidal solutions of nanosized metal oxide agents, which have shown promise in increasing efficiency and profitability.
A new 508-million-year-old bristle worm species from the Burgess Shale has provided key insights into the origin of the head in annelids. The fossil discovery reveals that the annelid head evolved from posterior body segments with pair bundles of hair-sized bristles, a hypothesis supported by developmental biology.
Scientists have discovered a 508-million-year-old sea predator with a unique 'jackknife' head, shedding light on the evolution of spiders, scorpions, and horseshoe crabs. The fossil's anatomy reveals a complex apparatus of appendages and jaws that made it an efficient predator.
Researchers found that reusing produced water from hydraulic fracturing sites can reduce water management issues and potentially induced seismicity. The study analyzed 10 years of water data, revealing a significant difference in water use between conventional and unconventional wells.
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 UTSA Center for Community and Business Research released a new study on the Eagle Ford Shale, showing that oil rig counts are expected to rise steadily in 2017. The study also indicates that the economic impact of the shale has turned a corner after bottoming out in 2016.
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.
The discovery of Tokummia katalepsis sheds light on the evolution of mandibulates, a group including flies, ants, and crabs. The fossilized arthropod features can opener-like pincers and specialized claws, providing insights into its feeding behavior.
A study by Cardiff University researchers found that both the UK and US prioritize renewable energy sources over fossil fuels in their energy systems. The public in both countries express concerns about water contamination and long-term impacts of horizontal drilling for shale energy.
Scientists have determined that hyoliths, extinct cone-shaped animals with mineralized external skeletons, are more closely related to brachiopods than molluscs. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of these ancient creatures and their place in the tree of life.
A comprehensive five-year study will investigate the degradation of shale rock roofs in coal mines, with a focus on moisture-induced damage. The research aims to improve understanding of the science behind these failures, ultimately leading to safer mines and miners.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have created a process to mix unmodified lignin with rubber, producing high-performance renewable thermoplastics containing up to 41% lignin. The researchers also studied methane storage in tight shales using neutron scattering, finding that smaller pores hold twice the amount of methane as l...
Researchers discovered a new genus of bacteria, Frackibacter, thriving in hydraulic fracturing wells alongside other microbes. The microbes form self-sustaining ecosystems providing their own food sources, and some are even producing methane, a potential supplement to the wells' energy output.
Researchers found that chemical reactions between injected freshwater and fractured shale caused barium to leach directly from the rock. They also discovered a specific depth interval where barite grains were 'bitten' by pyrite, leading to barium mobilization in clay minerals.
Archaeologists have uncovered an 11,000-year-old engraved shale pendant at the Early Mesolithic site of Star Carr in North Yorkshire. The subtriangular artifact contains series of lines that may represent a tree or tally marks, and is the earliest known Mesolithic art in Britain.
Researchers found evidence of oxygen whiffs from blue-green algae in ancient black shales, supporting a hypothesis that photosynthesis led to an oxygenated atmosphere. The findings provide conclusive answers about the Great Oxidation Event and its impact on Earth's history.
A new study from the University of Cambridge has identified a 500-million-year-old fossil brain that helped determine the origin of heads in early animals. The research found connections between the hard plate and eye-like features at the front of the body, indicating a common evolutionary transition from soft to hard bodies.
A newly discovered ancient arthropod, Yawunik kootenayi, was found in the Burgess Shale Formation with a unique frontal appendage adorned with teeth and sensory flagella. The find sheds light on early arthropod evolution and highlights an advanced predatory function.
Researchers estimate that shale oil and gas production provides a $302 billion yearly dividend to the US economy. Implementing an emission-reducing plan would reduce this dividend by half, but still leave significant gains. A carbon tax is considered the most efficient way to balance emissions reduction with economic benefits.
A study highlights significant knowledge gaps in understanding the environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking. The researchers found that chemical disclosure statements for wells are often incomplete or inconsistent, making it difficult to assess the effects on natural water systems and drinking supplies.