Hazleton’s StandardSpeaker has an article that explores the impact that high density drilling for Marcellus natural gas has on local watersheds.
Water
Impact of High Density Drilling on Watersheds
Shale in the Susquehanna Water Budget
Many people are concerned about the volume of water being used for natural gas drilling and if that water withdrawal will deplete the states streams. An article on the SunGazette website reports that the industry removes about 2 million gallons per day from the Susquehanna River Basin and the river contributes 18 million gallons of water per minute into Chesapeake Bay. Other activities remove a lot more water.
Protecting Canada’s Water Supplies from Hydraulic Fracturing
The University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs published a report urging Canadian governments to promptly improve their oil and gas drilling regulations to protect water supplies from hydraulic fractuiring activities. More at the Winnipeg Free Press.
Fears About Recycling Hydraulic Fracturing Water
Devon Energy and Chesapeake Energy in Oklahoma are recycling their frack water and that has drilling opponents concerned that recycled water produces an increased risk of water supply contamination. More at News OK.
What to Do With Gas Well Flowback Water?
Some of the horizontal wells in the Marcellus Shale of West Virginia require hydrofrac jobs that use four to six million gallons of water. The West Virginia Water Research Institute is working on a technology that will clean-up the flowback water to a point that allows it to be reused on the next frack job.
The GE Mobile Frackwater Evaporator
General Electric has developed a mobile evaporator (and condenser) to recycle the waste water produced during the hydraulic fracturing process. The result is a much lower volume of liquid that must be hauled to and from well sites and a smaller volume of liquid that must be hauled away for treatment. More at energydigital.com.
“Holistic Approach” for Shale Drilling Wastewater
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon have a $1 million grant to investigate a “holistic approach” for treatment of shale drilling wastewater. More at PopCityMedia.
Are Environmental Concerns Overblown?
An “opinion” essay on The Philadelphia Inquirer website supports the idea that “well-regulated gas extraction will not harm water supplies”.
Finding Natural Gas, Safely
The New York Times has an editorial titled “Finding Natural Gas, Safely” that summarizes legislative bills and federal studies related to natural gas and the environment.
EPA Will Study Hydraulic Fracturing Risk
An article on the Houston Chronicle website explores the reasons why the United States Environmental Protection Agency plans to study the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing on human health and the environment.
Obama Administration: Disclosure of Hydraulic Fracturing Chemicals
Joseph Aldy, special assistant to President Obama for matters related to energy and the environment says that there is not enough evidence to say if hydraulic fracturing fluids are damaging the environment , however, releasing the composition of the fluids would avoid regulation that might require it. More on the Reuters website.
“Making a Case” for Natural Gas
An article in the Houston Chronicle explains how the natural gas industry must now “make a case” because many lawmakers have a strong preference for renewable energy sources and those which are perceived to be more environmentally friendly.
Water Injection Correlates with Texas Earthquake Activity
A study of seismic activity near Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport by researchers from SMU and UT-Austin reveals that the operation of a saltwater injection disposal well in the area was a “plausible cause” for the series of small earthquakes that occurred in the area between October 30, 2008, and May 16, 2009.
Hydrofracking, Public Health and the Environment in West Virginia
The Headline article in the West Virginia Observer gives a review of the objections to hydraulic fracturing and discusses potential actions by the West Virginia legislature aimed at protecting public health and the environment.
House Commerce and Energy Committee on Hydraulic Fracturing Chemicals
The House Commerce and Energy Committee is writing to oil field service companies to get information on the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing and environmental impacts. More in an article in the Houston Chronicle.
New York and Hydrofracking Waste Water
Drilling and hydrofracking a well in one of the natural gas plays such as the Marcellus or Haynesville requires at least a million gallons of water with chemical additives and will become salty when it comes in contact with subsurface brines. An article on the Reuters website explores this problem in New York.
Pennsylvania Legislators: Step on the Gas or the Brake?
Some legislators in Harrisburg are trying to raise more revenue from the Marcellus Shale while others are trying to put on the brakes to reduce environmental impacts. More in an article at Philly.com.
Foul Byproducts of Natural Gas
An AP article in the Charleston Daily Mail says that “gas drilling in Appalachia yields a foul byproduct” – in reference to the wastewater associated with hydraulic fracturing.
